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Council responds to Parafield Airport student quarantine hub proposal

Media Release

The following statement may be attributed to Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM:

City of Salisbury has moved to formally oppose a State Government proposal to quarantine international students at Parafield Airport, or to have any quarantine facility located nearby residential areas.

Council has not received any formal advice or information regarding the proposal, which was made public at the weekend.

As a result, Council at a special meeting held on Tuesday (June 1) moved to take a number of responsive actions on behalf of local residents and businesses.

These include:

  • Stating Council’s opposition and disappointment that there was no public consultation on the proposal and calling on the State Government to provide Council with a briefing before any further action is undertaken
  • Calling on the State and Federal Government to learn from the recent medi-hotel COVID breaches and construct purpose-built quarantine facilities outside of residential areas and suburbs
  • Expressing concern with the State Government’s prioritisation of international students entering Australia over the rights of Australian citizens and permanent residents returning home
  • Writing to relevant MPs and MLCs to seek assurance that the State Government will formally advise Council and surrounding residents of plans and that there will be no breach from the proposed facility.

I will also write to the Manager Parafield Airport Limited and the Chair of the Parafield Community Consultative Committee to seek information on what arrangements and safeguards will be put into place for current students and those that may occupy the proposed quarantine facilities in the future.

Council will continue to advocate for the community in any forthcoming discussions on the matter with the State Government and other relevant authorities.