Скачать или смотреть Australians are ‘coming home first’, delaying return of international students

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says every hotel quarantine place available must be used to bring home stranded Australians – meaning international students face delays.

Mr Morrison said he wanted the national quarantine system to continue working “effectively” which meant the return of Australians would be a priority.

“Sadly, that will delay any ability to be bringing international students to Australia soon because we must use every available place to get Australians home,” he said.

“The ability to move and take international students back at this time, through quarantine arrangements, does not present itself.

“It’s Australians coming home first, that is the Commonwealth policy, that is our policy and that is the policy that is also being followed by the National Cabinet.

“We need to use every available space that we have in quarantine, and it’s not just simply a matter of are there rooms in hotels to do it, there is also the police, the support that is needed to properly run quarantine and the health support that is needed in addition to that.”

Mr Morrison said he was hunting for “additional capacity” for inbound travellers “wherever possible” and will travel to Melbourne next week to meet with Premier Daniel Andrews for a discussion.

“They’re not yet in a position to make an announcement yet, but that’s because they’re preparing to be able to do it,” Mr Morrison said.

“When Victoria opens up to receive those flights again that will help us get many more Australians back.”