ANNE STANLEY MP 
OPPOSITION WHIP 
MEMBER FOR WERRIWA

28 April 2021

ASSISSTANCE NEEDED TO SUPPORT INDIA

Anne Stanley, Member for Werriwa, has urged the Morrison Government to urgently assist the Australians stranded in India, as the country faces record-breaking COVID-19 infections.

Almost 10,000 Australian citizens and permanent residents are stranded in India since the border closures earlier this week.

The number of people who are vulnerable and in need of assistance is more than likely to grow as the situation in India worsens.

“My thoughts are with everyone from Werriwa’s Indian diaspora. I hope for a speedy resolution and for your friends and family to stay safe.

“It is in everyone’s interest to control the spread of COVID-19 in our region; however, we have a duty of welfare for the Australians who are stranded in India.” Ms Stanley said.

Federal Labor has called on the Morrison Government to implement a National Quarantine Strategy for stranded Australians since the beginning of the Pandemic.

Former Head of the Department of Health, Jane Halton, briefed the Prime Minister three times last year suggesting national quarantine facilities would be beneficial for emergency situations.

“A safe national quarantine system has been a missing feature for Australians stranded overseas since the beginning of the pandemic.

“Quarantine is a Federal responsibility and the Morrison Government needs to show leadership and implement national quarantine facilities now before even more Australians face increasingly unsafe situations.” Ms Stanley said.