Howard Springs to play major role in quarantining return travellers: Scott Morrison

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has raised Howard Springs as a potential quarantine zone for returned overseas travellers, saying he’ll raise the issue with the Chief Minister this week

THE Howard Springs quarantine facility could play a major role in helping get Australians home from overseas, according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mr Morrison, speaking in Brisbane, said the quarantine facility could be used as part of a plan to accelerate getting Australians stuck overseas back on home soil.

It comes as the COVID-19 pandemic, which Australia has largely avoided, has escalated across the globe.

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There are now 37.7 million confirmed cases of the virus globally, with over a million dead.

Scott Morrison said Howard Springs could play a role in any Federal Government quarantine program. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Mr Morrison said he would discuss the plan with Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner in National Cabinet later this week.

“Marise Payne, the Foreign Minister, is leading a team which has been ensuring we get Australians home from overseas, and where that facility may be needed to achieve that, it will be,” he told Seven News.

An aerial view of Darwin's Howard Springs quarantine facility. Picture: Supplied/NT Health

Mr Morrison said the Australian Capital Territory would also play a greater role.

It’s expected the matter will be brought up in Friday’s National Cabinet.

The Howard Springs facility was first used to quarantine returning Australians from the original coronavirus epicentre in Wuhan back in February.

It is currently housing domestic travellers from declared hot spots, including both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, as well as seasonal workers from Vanuatu.

Mr Gunner said discussions between the Northern Territory Government and Canberra were ongoing, but also emphasised the importance of keeping the Territory free of further COVID-19 outbreaks.

“I’m talking regularly with the Prime Minister about how we can get more Aussies home for Christmas while also keeping the Territory safe,” Mr Gunner said.

“The Territory was there for the nation at the start of this crisis by taking in the Wuhan and Diamond Princess evacuees, and we will keep working in the interests of the nation,” he said.

“I’ll keep working with the Prime Minister in the coming days about the future role of the Howard Springs facility.”

Northern Territory opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said the idea held merit.

“Howard Springs is well placed to be used to quarantine overseas travellers,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

Howard Springs has recently been the centre of media attention after TikTok videos showing people quarantining at the facility holding a rave party became the subject of an investigation by NT Police.

The 60ha facility was first built to house 3500 construction workers for Inpex.