BREAKING: Almost 25,000 Aussies are stuck overseas after the coronavirus pandemic caused havoc to flights. Now, there’s a plan to get more of them home.
“It has been a difficult situation for some trying to get home and we have acknowledged that,” Mr McCormack told reporters in Wagga Wagga, NSW.“I have written to premiers and chief ministers to make that possible so that we can bring home 2000 more.”
The Federal Government reduced the number of incoming flights in August to 4000 passengers a week in a bid to ease pressure on state and territory quarantine facilities until October 24. Australian Defence Force personnel have been tasked with helping Australian residents returning from overseas move to 14-day hotel quarantine. Picture: AAP Image/Bianca De MarchiNSW is taking the brunt of the arrivals at 350 passengers a day, while Perth is accepting 525 a week.“We will increase the number of Australians coming into Sydney by 500,” Mr McCormack said.
“As well 500 more will be coming into Queensland and I urge and encourage Annastacia Palaszczuk to look at the Gold Coast and Cairns.South Australian Premier Steven Marshall told ABC’s Radio National on Wednesday he would be willing to raise this to 800 a week. Hobart is not currently taking any international arrivals, and the suspension of international flights into Melbourne will continue.“I have written to those territories and states to see what capacity they quarantine can have at this point in time,” he said.Opposition leader Anthony Albanese this week put pressure on the government to use its RAAF and private planes to repatriate stranded Australians.
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