❓ Dr. Honey questions the Premier's decision to close borders to India, referencing calls from federal Labor figures to bring Australians home. The Premier defends the decision, citing the need to manage hotel quarantine and highlighting WA's support for India.
AnsweredQoN 26Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — INDIA
26. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Premier:
I refer to calls by the federal
Labor leader, Anthony Albanese, and former leader Bill Shorten to bring home Western
Australians, because we all have an obligation and responsibility to bring home
fellow citizens during a time of crisis.
(1) Can the
Premier confirm that he was the first state leader to single out India for
border closures so that Australians, including Western Australians, are
prevented from coming home in their hour of need?
(2) Does the
Premier admit that he got it wrong, and will he now agree with the position of
Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese?
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please! I
would only like to hear from the Premier at this point in time, thank you.
26. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Premier:
I refer to calls by the federal
Labor leader, Anthony Albanese, and former leader Bill Shorten to bring home Western
Australians, because we all have an obligation and responsibility to bring home
fellow citizens during a time of crisis.
(1) Can the
Premier confirm that he was the first state leader to single out India for
border closures so that Australians, including Western Australians, are
prevented from coming home in their hour of need?
(2) Does the
Premier admit that he got it wrong, and will he now agree with the position of
Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese?
Several members
interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please! I
would only like to hear from the Premier at this point in time, thank you.
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) Just
wow, Madam Speaker! What a strange question. I think it is the Leader of the
Liberal Party's first question to me. It is very, very unusual and very
strange.
Obviously, we are dealing with an
unprecedented set of circumstances. Both myself and the Western Australian
government, and I think all Australians, are very, very sympathetic to the
position of India in particular. The people in India are going through a very
traumatic time.
Yesterday, we announced a grant
program of $2 million to support initiatives that will support India. That will be dedicated towards local community groups
that are providing on-the-ground assistance of whatever type, whether it is ventilators, masks, personal
protective equipment or oxygen—whatever it might be. We want to get that out as quickly as we possibly can
and do our bit to assist India. I actually have recommended to all the Premiers and the Prime Minister that
they do the same. I know the commonwealth has a program. Indeed, I think some supplies went today. I understand
there were Indian Air Force aircraft at Perth Airport today picking up
supplies from Western Australia. Certainly, the Western Australian government
and the commonwealth government have provided some support. I would urge other
states to do the same in this environment.
There
are no easy answers here on what is going on. Obviously, we have enormous
sympathy. I have seen those images of mass cremations going on in India.
It is absolutely appalling and shocking. On the other hand, we have to manage a
hotel quarantine system that has proven very problematic. I understand from media reports, actually today, that the
commonwealth is looking at flights to come back from India at some point—I
think in 10 days' time or so. Obviously, the commonwealth will need to
source some places to stay for people on those flights who are coming home or
coming back to Australia. It did it last year with Wuhan, and I think also
Japan, when it used existing commonwealth facilities to fly people out and put
them into places where they could stay that could be properly managed and
properly quarantined. I would urge the commonwealth to do it again.
wow, Madam Speaker! What a strange question. I think it is the Leader of the
Liberal Party's first question to me. It is very, very unusual and very
strange.
Obviously, we are dealing with an
unprecedented set of circumstances. Both myself and the Western Australian
government, and I think all Australians, are very, very sympathetic to the
position of India in particular. The people in India are going through a very
traumatic time.
Yesterday, we announced a grant
program of $2 million to support initiatives that will support India. That will be dedicated towards local community groups
that are providing on-the-ground assistance of whatever type, whether it is ventilators, masks, personal
protective equipment or oxygen—whatever it might be. We want to get that out as quickly as we possibly can
and do our bit to assist India. I actually have recommended to all the Premiers and the Prime Minister that
they do the same. I know the commonwealth has a program. Indeed, I think some supplies went today. I understand
there were Indian Air Force aircraft at Perth Airport today picking up
supplies from Western Australia. Certainly, the Western Australian government
and the commonwealth government have provided some support. I would urge other
states to do the same in this environment.
There
are no easy answers here on what is going on. Obviously, we have enormous
sympathy. I have seen those images of mass cremations going on in India.
It is absolutely appalling and shocking. On the other hand, we have to manage a
hotel quarantine system that has proven very problematic. I understand from media reports, actually today, that the
commonwealth is looking at flights to come back from India at some point—I
think in 10 days' time or so. Obviously, the commonwealth will need to
source some places to stay for people on those flights who are coming home or
coming back to Australia. It did it last year with Wuhan, and I think also
Japan, when it used existing commonwealth facilities to fly people out and put
them into places where they could stay that could be properly managed and
properly quarantined. I would urge the commonwealth to do it again.
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