COVID-19

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Victorian Senator Janet Rice (Greens), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Commonwealth Government has a responsibility for quarantine,

(ii) international human rights agreements affirm that everyone has the right to return to their country,

(iii) around 39,000 Australians are stranded overseas, unable to return home due to limited quarantine capacity,

(iv) in addition, there have been more than 155,000 travel exemption requests from temporary visa holders seeking to return to Australia, where many have lived for extended periods, with jobs, families, and lives here – of which only around 25,000 have been approved, and

(v) many of those stranded overseas face significant costs and challenges, are often separated from their loved ones, and have experienced significant distress at being unable to return home; and

(b) calls on the Australian Government to:

(i) expand safe and effective federal quarantine capacity so that people stranded overseas can safely return home,

(ii) ensure that those stranded overseas can access affordable options to fly home, and

(iii) ensure that everyone is welcomed home with care and compassion.