Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Drought, and Emergency Management, Senator Ruston. The Biosecurity Act 2015 requires cruise vessels to report any passengers who show symptoms of infectious diseases to the Department of Agriculture's biosecurity officers before arrival in Australia. According to a COVID-19 fact sheet entitled 'Information for the cruise industry' released by the Australian government on 6 March, if an ill traveller is reported 'a biosecurity officer will liaise with the vessel to screen for COVID-19'. The Ruby Princess reported 158 ill passengers, including 17 with high fevers. How many federal biosecurity officers met the Ruby Princess's 2,700 passengers when it docked in Sydney on 17 March? What actions did these officers take to screen for COVID-19?