Train chaos has sabotaged Sydney’s global reopening, says PM

The Prime Minister has blasted a union spat causing all trains to stop across Sydney, claiming the standoff has sabotaged NSW’s first day back to international travel.

The Prime Minister has blasted a union spat causing all trains to stop across Sydney, claiming the standoff has sabotaged NSW’s first day back to international travel.

Monday has seen international travellers welcomed back to Sydney for the first time in more than 700 days — but a network-wide train stoppage has derailed travel plans for arriving tourists and commuters alike.

“International travel is opening up from today and the unions welcome them with a train strike, I mean this is not how things should be done,” Scott Morrison said today.

Justin Hoffman travelling to Thailand for work this morning needed to catch a taxi. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Victoria Migueles said she was disappointed train services to the airport are closed Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Amanda Moss and Cindy Moss embrace on arrival at Sydney Airport. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Qantas staff were directing arriving passengers to buses. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Sisters Lina and Adeline embrace at Sydney Airport today. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

He added: “This is an important day Australians have looked forward to … Sydney is one of our biggest international gateways, that‘s where most planes will be coming to.

“But the union movement has decided to pull the rug out from under that on our first day back.”

After a long red eye flight, Argentinian traveller Victoria Migueles, 27, was forced to travel an hour and a half on a bus because of the train strike.

“It isn’t good timing,” she said. “I’m used to it though because I’m from Argentina. I think it’s a way of getting listened to, not the ideal one because you disturb others but maybe they need to be listened to.”

A 75-metre "Welcome Back World!" sign is painted adjacent to the runways at Sydney Airport. Picture: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Justin Hoffman, from Katoomba, had to get a taxi from Katoomba to the airport or he wouldn’t have arrived in time to get a Covid-19 test before his flight to Thailand.

“It’s disgusting, it’s embarrassing. It’s a major international city and the infrastructure needs to be reliable,” he said.

“I understand why the strike is happening but look at the costs, so many people have been put out.”

International travellers touched down at Sydney Airport welcomed with jars of Vegemite and packets of Tim Tams after more than 700 days of border restrictions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Melbourne Airport today. Picture: Adam Taylor

There were tearful reunions and smiles abound as families were reunited to the tune of Aussie ballards and the cheer of Surf Rescue crews and Qantas staff on Monday.

Passengers on a flight from Los Angeles were the first to enjoy travel to Australia without quarantine requirements for the first time since March 2020.

After more than two years apart, Andrea Thomas from North Carolina was thrilled to be reunited with her father Lan Anderson.

“It’s an absolute thrill. It’s so wonderful to be back,” she said.

The pair are planning to enjoy a lunch at Bathers Pavillion in Balmoral as celebration.

Mark Sissons, from Vancouver, was among the first to land in Sydney after more than two years locked out of Australia. The last time he was here was just before the pandemic hit in 2020.

“It’s great timing be back,” he said.