The man responsible for the nation’s borders has defended a plan to transfer Australians from China to quarantine facilities on Christmas Island.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said people evacuated from the Chinese city at the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus would have access to medical treatment while under quarantine for up to 14 days.
Dutton said the plan was also designed to keep the broader population safe.
“I can’t clear a hospital in Sydney or Melbourne to accommodate 600 people. We don’t have a facility otherwise that can take this number of people,” he told the Nine Network on Thursday.
“I want to make sure that we keep Australians safe.”
Dutton said the plan was hatched in consultation with Australia’s chief medical officer, who receives frequent advice from the World Health Organisation.
Australian diplomats are continuing negotiations with Chinese authorities to clear the way for the operation.
More than 600 Australian citizens in Wuhan, where the deadly virus began, have registered for advice or assistance.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese questioned the motivation for utilising Christmas Island.
“I think that it is unclear whether that is motivated by a genuine belief that is the only option,” Mr Albanese told ABC radio.
“Or whether the embarrassment of the government opening Christmas Island having a husband, a wife from Biloela and their four-year-old and two-year-old daughters there at the cost of tens of billions of dollars.
“They need to be seen to be doing something at Christmas Island other than holding a press conference for Scott Morrison.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said it was a very complex health crisis.
“In the process of working on the public health and protection of all Australians, we’re also considering what we are able to do for those isolated in Wuhan,” she said.
The minister sought to alleviate concerns of Australians stuck in Wuhan about the standard of the Christmas Island facilities.
“Appropriate care will most definitely be provided and I can assure all Australians of that, but families will make their own decisions.”
Qantas has offered its aircraft for use in the evacuation, which is a joint operation with New Zealand.
The government has confirmed those evacuated will have to contribute financially to the trip.
China has so far logged more than 6000 cases of the respiratory illness and more than 130 deaths, mainly in Wuhan.