A temporary travel ban between India and Australia begins today, with anyone breaching the rule to face up to five years in jail or heavy fines, in a move which some experts say may be illegal.
- Experts say there are serious questions about whether the decision is lawful
- The ban, and associated penalties, come into effect today
- Government ministers say the measures have been put in place based on medical advice
The penalties have been introduced through the Biosecurity Act.
It is understood to be the first time Australia has banned and put in place criminal sanctions for its own citizens who return home.
Critics have described the government’s move as “immoral and un-Australian”.
Senior government ministers defended the ban, saying it was based on expert medical advice and done to protect Australians.
“Fifty-seven per cent of the positive cases in quarantine had been arrivals from India,” Foreign Minister Marise Payne said.
“It was placing a very, very significant burden on health and medical services in states and territories.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Nine Radio the criticisms were similar to when the government decided to close the border to China early in 2020.
He said it was his goal to get repatriation flights from India back up and running as soon as it was safe to do so.
According to Education Minister Alan Tudge, the Howard Springs facility in the Northern Territory currently has an infection rate of 15 per cent, well above the goal of 2 per cent.