‘No one’s going to be jailed’ over India travel ban: McCormack

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says “no one’s going to be jailed” under the India travel ban but insists the “strict provisions” in the Biosecurity Act are necessary to protect the nation. Under the Biosecurity Act the federal government had threatened Australians who attempted to return home from India during the two-week travel ban with a $66,000 fine or five-year jail term. However, on Tuesday Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded there was “pretty much zero chance” those caught travelling home would be jailed or fined. “No one’s going to be jailed, let’s be honest, but it has to be in place of course,” Mr McCormack said. “We have to have strict biosecurity rules, I mean our entire agriculture sector is based on having the strictest regime when it comes to biosecurity and that’s why in this budget indeed, we’ve even looked at strengthening our biosecurity rules. “We want to make sure that Australians, yes, follow the rules but the prime minister’s made quite clear that people won’t be serving jail.” Mr McCormack urged Australians stranded in India to be patient and wait for the travel pause to end – as the government is set to review the ban before May 15.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says “no one’s going to be jailed” under the India travel ban but insists the “strict provisions” in the Biosecurity Act are necessary to protect the nation.

Under the Biosecurity Act the federal government had threatened Australians who attempted to return home from India during the two-week travel ban with a $66,000 fine or five-year jail term.

However, on Tuesday Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded there was “pretty much zero chance” those caught travelling home would be jailed or fined.

“No one’s going to be jailed, let’s be honest, but it has to be in place of course,” Mr McCormack said.

“We have to have strict biosecurity rules, I mean our entire agriculture sector is based on having the strictest regime when it comes to biosecurity and that’s why in this budget indeed, we’ve even looked at strengthening our biosecurity rules.

“We want to make sure that Australians, yes, follow the rules but the prime minister’s made quite clear that people won’t be serving jail.”

Mr McCormack urged Australians stranded in India to be patient and wait for the travel pause to end – as the government is set to review the ban before May 15.

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