Rescue flights to India ‘looking good’

The government last week imposed a ban on Australians returning from India, which is in the midst of the world’s worst COVID-19 crisis, threatening those in breach with five-year jail terms or a $ 66,000 fine.

Mr Morrison would not commit to a date for flights to resume but said the prospect of May 15, when the ban will be reviewed, was “looking good”.

“I’m very confident that after the 15th of May those repatriation flights are going to be able to be restored,” he told 3Aw on Thursday.

“But I’m not going to make that announcement until we’ve gone through the evidence, taken the medical advice, reviewed that, and put in place what we need to ensure that happens.”

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Mr Morrison insisted the ban was the “right decision” to avoid a third wave in Australia but also to ensure Australian citizens were returned “safely and sustainably”.

India recorded the world’s first 400,000 daily infection increase as the country’s medical system buckles under an escalating caseload.

The national security committee will sit down on Thursday afternoon to discuss Australia’s response before Mr Morrison meets state and territory leaders at national cabinet on Friday.

Just after midnight on Saturday, the government announced travel arrangements for India had been “strengthened” and warned those in breach could face jail time or heavy fines.

But Mr Morrison insisted the powers had been in place for 14 months under the Biosecurity Act and accused the media of exaggerating the “highly remote” chance of fines or jail time.

“This is not something that was accentuated by Greg Hunt, or me, or anyone else. It was picked up on in the media and they’ve highlighted that,” he said.

A 73-year old Australian stranded in India has filed a legal challenge to the travel ban in the Federal Court.

The UN Human Rights Commission this week also raised “serious concerns” over the travel ban, warning there were “few, if any circumstances” justifying stripping citizens of their right to return.

“We have serious concerns about whether the biosecurity determination – and the severe penalties which can be imposed for its breach – meets Australia’s human rights obligations,” spokesman Rupert Colville told 9News.com.au in a statement.

But the Prime Minister rejected suggestions the government had breached international law.

“I don’t believe we have. We’re doing the right thing” he said.

“If we hadn’t done this, then we would have probably had to oppose flights coming out of … many other ports where Australians are coming back from many other places.

“This ensured that we could keep those flights going and those Australians coming home, and that’s what we continue to do.”