India travel ban: Scott Morrison refuses to reveal first rescue flight date
Scott Morrison has weighed in on claims he has “blood on his hands”, while refusing to reveal when the first repatriation flight from India will be.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has addressed Michael Slater’s condemnation, saying, “I understand his frustration.”
Slater, a former champion Australian cricketer, said Mr Morrison had “blood on his hands” over the government’s refusal to allow stranded Australians to return home from India. Mr Slater also invited the Prime Minister to travel to India and see the bodies piling in the streets as the COVID outbreak continues to worsen.
Mr Morrison refused to engage in a slinging match during a press conference on Thursday, however, saying, “I understand his frustration and I understand his deep concern for the people of India.”
Mr Morrison continued, “What I have to say, though, is I’m even more understanding of the many, many, many hundreds of thousands, millions of Australians of Indian descent or heritage and have so many family members who are affected, and will be remaining in India.”
Mr Slater had been in India to commentate the IPL cricket series, but flew to the Maldives as the crisis worsened.
Mr Morrison’s agricultural minister David Littleproud called Slater a “spoiled prat” over his comments and said he “needs to get over himself.”
“No one’s underestimating the harrowing impacts on the Indian people, or on the Australians stuck, there but the Australians stuck there, but the Australian government’s primary responsibility is to keep its people safe. Sometimes we have to make tough decisions for the greater good,” Mr Littleproud said.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack also weighed in, saying, “I understand he’s upset. I understand there’s a lot of concern amongst our Indian community … We are following the best possible medical advice. That’s important and we’ll continue to do that.”
PM REFUSES TO BE PINNED DOWN ON RESCUE FLIGHTS
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has refused to be drawn on when the first rescue flight from India will take place, but is “very confident” they’ll resume once the flight ban in India.
The federal government recently issued a two-week suspension on flights between Australia and India as the country battles a spiralling COVID-19 crisis. Mr Morrison repeatedly assured the public that travel would resume after the pause ends on May 15.
But in a radio interview with 3AW Melbourne host Neil Mitchell this morning, he refused to give a date for when the first repatriation flight would occur.
“We are not going to commit to that at this point, because we still have to review the evidence when the pause finishes on May 15,” Mr Morrison said.
“I’m very confident that after the May 15, thereafter, those repatriation flights are going to be able to be restored, but I’m not going to make that announcement until we’ve gone through the evidence taking the medical advice.”
Here’s what we know so about the plan so far:
HOW MANY AUSSIES WANT TO RETURN?
As of April 30, 9200 Australians registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to return home.
With those numbers, even when the ban lifts, stranded passengers will face delays.
“We strongly encourage you to continue seeking commercial flight options through an airline or travel agent, even if you have registered with DFAT. Places on DFAT facilitated commercial flights are limited and those that have been identified as the most vulnerable are given priority,” DFAT says.
“The location and schedule of facilitated commercial flights may be announced at short notice and seats sell out quickly.”
Stranded visitors are posting in a Facebook support group called “Australians Stuck in India,” which has a growing community of 17,000 members.
“Please use #stepdownscomo as he has failed Australia to get Aussies home,” one post reads
A total of 19,698 Australian citizens and visa holders have returned to Australia from India since March 2020.
WHERE WILL THEY QUARANTINE ON ARRIVAL?
Returnees will be sent to the Howard Springs quarantine centre in the Northern Territory.
At the moment, the centre has room to accommodate up to 850 individuals at once.
Work is underway to expand the centre to fit up to 2000 individuals.
Individuals will need to cover the cost of quarantine.
The centre was described as “a budget holiday to Bali without the beer” when News Corp journalist Ellen Whinnett experienced just how the NT was handling quarantine in November 2020.
“A fee of $2500 buys a two-week stay in a single room in a camp originally built for fly-in fly-out workers. It’s 36 degrees and humid. Three meals a day are provided along with instant coffee, long-life milk, airconditioning and free to air TV,” Whinnett wrote.
WHO WILL FLY THE AUSSIES HOME?
No details have been provided but it’s likely Qantas will charter the flights on behalf of the government.
The national carrier has flown more than 200 repatriation flights since the pandemic hit.
Passengers are charged an economy fare comparable to pre-COVID prices.
DFAT says loans are available for those who need financial assistance.
“Flying to help Australians in trouble is a core part of our identity as the national carrier,” the airline’s CEO Alan Joyce has previously said.
Past repatriation flights have been flown by crew who volunteered.
WHAT SAFETY MEASURES DO AIRLINERS TAKE?
Services on the repatriation flights are significantly reduced.
Seat selection is not available, meal service is limited, there’s no in-flight entertainment and crew are dressed in PPE.
The Qantas website warns before boarding passengers may need to sign mandatory health declarations, use face masks, need entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine, or face being denied entry.
HOW DO YOU SCORE A SEAT?
Those who’ve registered with DFAT and been identified as most vulnerable are given priority access to these flights, DFAT says.
“If we can offer you a flight, we’ll contact you via the email you registered with us and advise you of next steps to secure your seat/s on the flight.”
Vulnerability is assessed using information provided about an individual’s financial, medical and other circumstances when individuals register with DFAT.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The National Security Committee of Cabinet is meeting to discuss contingency plans over the next two weeks.
The committee, the peak decision-making body for national security and major foreign policy matters, has previously met to discuss assistance for India, as well as any extra steps that may need to be taken to minimise the risk of infections spreading to Australia.
It’s too early to tell whether the ban on India has damaged Australia’s relationship with the nation.
Scott Morrison said he was "not concerned” when asked at a press conference today.
“Today, the humanitarian support – the significant humanitarian support for India – has departed Sydney. One hundred oxygen containers, masks, respirators.
“There is a partnership effort with India to support them as they deal with this terrible crisis.”
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Originally published as India travel ban: Scott Morrison refuses to reveal first rescue flight date
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