Gunner backs federal efforts to boot foreign cruise ship from Darwin Harbour

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has backed the Commonwealth Government’s plans to boot out a foreign flagged cruise ship docked in Darwin Harbour as the company battles the eviction in court

The Caledonian Sky is currently moored in Darwin Harbour, possibly with Australians on board. Picture: Che Chorley

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has backed the Commonwealth Government’s plans to boot out a foreign flagged cruise ship docked in Darwin Harbour as the company battles the eviction in court.

FREE subscription: Stay informed during the coronavirus crisis

Cruise operator APT is fighting the directive for the Bahamas-flagged Caledonian Sky to leave Australian waters in the Federal Court while the ship remains in limbo off Stokes Hill Wharf — potentially with Australians on board.

Mr Gunner said on Wednesday that the Territory Government had “given a very clear direction around cruise ships — that we don’t want them”.

“The Australian Border Force has essentially directed this cruise ship that we don’t want you,” he said.

“That’s now been challenged through court. There may be Australians on that ship and we may take those Australians. Obviously it depends on what the court result is.”

Mr Gunner said it was important that the government “held our line for as long as we can”.

“Hopefully the courts abide by us, about who we take into the country and how we handle them and what pressure we put on our health system,” he said.

“There may be no pressure from this ship but I just want to make sure we keep a very strong principled position here.”

MORE TOP NEWS

Free on-street parking as council defers rates, waives fees in $55m stimulus

Two men fined for not complying with mandatory quarantine

NT coronavirus restrictions could last for half a year, warns Gunner

Mr Gunner said other states had been facing similar issues and while there may be only a handful of people on board the Caledonian Sky “we’ve got to be wary of what other ships might rock up in port”.

“So my direction has been pretty simple, sorry no,” he said.

Earlier Australian Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram said he was aware of the court case and was “working through that”.

“Let me make clear the government’s policy intent here, is that all cruise ships that were in Australian waters, they’re not flagged or registered in Australia, they are to depart Australian waters, and we are working to achieve that outcome,” he said.