NT government finds only 160 of 400 staff, with three days to go
The NT government said it was hoping to find 400 staff, but has quietly admitted it’s only so far found 160. It takes control on Monday.
Centralian Advocate
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THE NT government has quietly admitted it’s found less than half of the 400 staff it needs to fully take control of Howard Springs.
The quarantine facility’s capacity will be doubled in coming months to take more international travellers when the NT government takes control of it on Monday next week.
In a press release sent out on Friday morning, the government admitted it had only found 160 of the 400 staff it needed.
“The increase in staff means that the facility will be equipped to accept an anticipated peak of around 1200 arrivals in May,” the release said.
“A further 150 workers will commence orientation in May as part of the second tranche of recruitment,” it said.
Overall, about 400 staff will be recruited to expand Howard Springs capacity from 850 to 2000 returning travellers per fortnight.
“There is no deadline for AUSMAT to leave the facility during the transition and we will take as long as we need to get this right,” the release said.
It comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week visited the Centre for National Resilience to observe the quarantine model in action.
During his trip to the Top End, Mr Morrison expressed confidence the NT government could properly manage the facility.
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Also announced on Friday was the appointment of a senior leadership team to deliver the expanded service – Gabrielle Brown has been appointed as Executive Director Quarantine, who will be supported by Professor Dianne Stephens OAM as Director Medical Services Quarantine and Ms Lisa Vermeulen as Director of Nursing and Midwifery Quarantine.
A Medical Advisory Group has been appointed to oversee clinical governance of the facility to ensure the standard of care and infection control set by AUSMAT is continued throughout the centre.
There is no deadline for AUSMAT to leave the facility during the transition.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles said, “Territorians can have confidence that we are in the best possible position to manage the transition of the Howard Springs Centre for National Resilience.”
“We are working with AUSMAT to ensure Howard Springs remains the gold standard when it comes to repatriating returned Australians.
“The Territory Labor Government’s highest priority has always been keeping Territorians safe and keeping COVID out of our community and this will continue to be the case.”
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