Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Keneally for her question. In relation to the specific questions that you've asked, I will take those on notice and will get you an answer from the minister for agriculture. But can I absolutely assure the chamber that the Australian government is totally committed to protecting Australians from COVID-19, including through its biosecurity measures that operate through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, and that it is working very closely with the Department of Health, which is obviously leading the national health response to COVID-19. As you rightly point out, biosecurity plays an extraordinarily critical role, particularly at our borders, in making sure we continue to protect Australian citizens, because, as we all know, much of the identified transmission of COVID-19 has come from overseas.

As of 1 February 2020, all travellers arriving from, or who have been in, mainland China, regardless of nationality, have been subject to control measures. Subsequent to that time, other countries have also been subject to control measures, as we've seen in recent days when those who have been brought home by the extraordinary work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the work of Minister Payne to bring Australians home to Australia. So, I thank the senator for her question, and I will get the details of her question on notice.