Chief Minister Michael Gunner open to Darwin becoming single point of entry for repatriated Aussies

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner has not ruled out Darwin becoming the single gateway to the nation for international repatriation flights.

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NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner has not ruled out Darwin becoming the single gateway to the nation for international repatriation flights.

It is a strategy that has the support of the NT Opposition, which has slammed hotel quarantine as one of the weakest links in the nation’s quarantine program.

Mr Gunner said he was talking with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his national cabinet colleagues regularly about the repatriation program.

“We’re already stepping up to do more, and we’ll keep talking about what else needs to be done down the track,” Mr Gunner said.

“We are the safest place in Australia, with Australia’s best quarantine facility. We are doing the heavy lifting not just for the Territory, but for the nation.

The Howard Springs quarantine facility. Picture: Che Chorley

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“The Territory’s Centre for National Resilience is Australia’s gold standard for quarantine, so it’s no surprise that others are keen to follow our lead.”

If Darwin was to become the single gateway for repatriation flights it would require extra resourcing and more staff with the qualifications and skills required to safely manage the increase in numbers.

The NT is already increasing capacity from 500 to 850 a fortnight – a number settled on with the federal government after considering how many people could be safely managed inside the Howard Springs quarantine facility at any one time, without compromising the strict safety standards.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has proposed a similar model for her state with a plan to move quarantine sites to mining camps.

NT Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley said it was important to keep COVID-19 cohorts in one location.

“We know that hotel quarantine is the nation’s weak link,” Mr Maley said.

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“Right across Australia most of the outbreaks that have happened have been through hotel quarantine.

“Howard Springs is a gold class standard. It is being resourced by the federal government and should be used to house those who need to quarantine.

“With extra resourcing it makes sense to look at the facility as a one point of entry for all repatriation flights.

“Ultimately it is about keeping Territorians and Australians safe.”