The Morrison government is in negotiations with pharmaceutical companies to be able to make mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in Australia.Credit:
The government has budgeted for about 120 repatriation flights over the next 12 months. Each will carry about 148 people,allowing for the return of about 17,760 Australians. About 34,500 citizens have notified the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade they are keen to return to Australia.
The government has helped repatriate 45,400 Australians since the start of the pandemic,including 18,800 on 127 government-sponsored flights. The additional flights will fall under a $119.9 million boost to DFAT’s consular program,which will include an allocation for 46 additional consular staff.
The federal government has been criticised by the opposition for delays in getting Australians home and came under fire from the Indian community in recent weeks for itstwo-week ban on flights from the coronavirus-ravaged country. The ban ends on Friday and the government has committed to sending repatriation flights to bring vulnerable citizens home.
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The budget also provides $37.1 million over two years to help India through its second deadly wave of coronavirus. Australia has already sent India,which is recording more than 400,000 cases and 4000 deaths a day,an initial package of essential medical supplies including ventilators and oxygen concentrators.
In total,the government will provide an extra $335 million in foreign aid in 2021-22 but maintains the official annual foreign aid figure of $4 billion over the forward estimates will remain unchanged.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne conceded the new funding qualified as foreign aid but said the measures were “temporary and targeted” in recognition of the impact of COVID-19 on the region.