Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hanson for the question. Senator Hanson, I am going to have to reject the premise of your question. The government's advice is very, very clear: students who have been outside mainland China for the last 14 days may be able to enter Australia provided that they do not return to China on the way to Australia. The government is not actively suggesting that students travel to a third country for 14 days, because of the changing epidemiology of this disease. The rapidly evolving situation, combined with changes to travel restrictions by other countries, could mean students could get stuck in a third country. Our advice to international students is that they should monitor the advice on the websites of the Department of Health and the Department of Home Affairs. Students should also check with their airline and education providers before making decisions to travel to Australia, including via a third country. They should also check any current travel restrictions for other countries before travelling.

I do acknowledge, Senator Hanson, that you commended the government on the action that we have taken to date. As the Minister for Health and the Prime Minister have stated, Australia is ready and our government is working constantly to keep Australians safe. Australia, as you have acknowledged, was one of the first countries in the world to declare coronavirus as a disease of pandemic potential, on 21 January, and this was more than a week before the World Health Organization. In terms of the decisions that the Australian government takes, as I have reiterated to the Senate, these decisions are underpinned by medical advice— (Time expired)