Page 1492 - Week 05 - Thursday, 13 May 2021
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Why is this policy suddenly being implemented now? Why are the punishments for those who potentially avoid the restrictions suddenly imposed? The Prime Minister claims that no-one will end up in prison or being harshly punished under these laws. But my question then is: why implement them in the first place? Why advertise those punishments in a press release? There are a lot of questions around the federal government’s policies on returning from India.
The federal government is responsible for and should be organising quarantine facilities—this is set out in the constitution—and, not only that, it makes sense. Purpose-built quarantine facilities with high capacity are the best way to quarantine those returning from overseas.
While not purpose built, the design and layout of Howard Springs in the Northern Territory has proven to be an optimal place to quarantine returnees. To date there have been no instances of the virus escaping this facility, like we have seen in almost every capital city in the country through hotel quarantine. The air conditioning is not centralised. There is plenty of open air between the residences. And it is just a better system.
I note that this facility has been designated a quarantine site for anyone returning from India since the federal government removed its travel ban due to constituent pressure. I also note that since it opened for quarantine purposes, the federal government has given some funding for its operation.
However, this pandemic did not start with the outbreak in India in the last couple of months. The federal government has had well over a year to think about this issue and to build additional facilities. They are better equipped to do so than any state or territory due to the economies of scale and size of budget. They are responsible for it. They have an example set for them in Howard Springs and they have had the community calling for it.
It was revealed just last Friday, through a Senate inquiry, that the only reason that the India travel ban was needed was in fact because there was not enough space in quarantine facilities for people coming home. If the federal government had taken action on this 12 months ago, there would not be so many Australians stuck in India. There would not be tens of thousands more stuck in other places with uncertainty when they will be able to come home.
I encourage my colleagues in this place to support the motion moved in my name and the associated actions. Acknowledging the pain and trauma being faced by the Canberra Indian-Australian and broader South Asian communities is the least that we can do in this place.
I again reiterate my condolences to those constituents of mine who have lost family and friends or who have family and friends who are suffering. I have heard heartbreaking stories from some constituents personally. I would like to make a particular note of sending my condolences to them.
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