Tens of thousands of Australians are stuck overseas thanks to COVID-19 – but the effort is on to get them back home. 9News
Perth's cap is 525, Brisbane and Adelaide are each limited to 500, and international flights to Melbourne have been suspended.
The federal government wants Sydney, Perth and Brisbane to each take 500 more, and Adelaide to lift its cap by 350.NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has agreed on the basis that other states "double what they are currently taking". Her South Australian counterpart Steven Marshall has also agreed, admitting it's a "significant increase".Queensland is also on board – on the condition that the federal government oversees hotel quarantine."I would be more than happy to look at taking more Australians here, where we have the capacity to do so," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
Victoria remains closed as it deals with a second wave of coronavirus infections, with Premier Daniel Andrews admitting reopening was still a way off.WA Premier Mark McGowan said he was "unaware" of plans to lift the return cap.There are 3500 Australians stranded off-shore listed as vulnerable – some sick and some homeless.
The National Cabinet will discuss the caps on Friday, with an eye to lifting the limit by the end of the month.
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