Harsh, unwise and unjust. A response to the Government’s India travel ban.

As India’s COVID-19 statistics worsened, the Federal government brought into force a temporary but strict ban on flights from India. Travellers in breach of the ban may face imprisonment. Diverse groups and individuals have reacted strong to the policy. What is a government’s responsibility to the safety of its citizens who are overseas?

Michael Slater (right), pictured with Mel McLaughlin and Ricky Ponting calling for the government to have empathy as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in India. Source: AAP

Greg Barton, Research Professor and Chair of Global Islamic Politics at the Alfred Deakin Institute at Deakin University explains why the government might have made the decision. He suggests that it is hard to imagine that the government would apply the same rule to returnees from England or the US.

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Flights from India is temporarily banned. Why has the Government’s temporary ban on flights from India prompted strong criticism from such diverse groups? . Source: AAP 04 May 2021