TIME TO PLAN FOR CRUISE SHIPPING

Hundreds of people pack into aircraft wearing masks and thousands attend State of Origin and other sporting events, yet the region and state’s lucrative cruise shipping industry lies in limbo as federal and state governments dither around.

Prior to COVID-19, cruise liner operators were fastidious about hygiene because there had been gastro and other mass outbreaks on ships.

The vessels are vast and have many open outdoor areas and many dining and other entertainment options to keep people separated as much as possible.

We know there was a problem with cruise ships but a lot has been learnt since the Ruby Princess docked in Sydney in March 2020 with thousands disembarking, 663 testing positive for Covid, with 28 fatalities.

The Queensland government has spent more than $100m dredging the Cairns shipping channel and providing up-to-date facilities which have gone to waste since the start of the pandemic.

The Far North is one of the most popular cruise shipping destinations in Australia and provides millions of dollars in income for tourism and other businesses.

Yet there is still no plan in place for its restart.

Cairns-based Coral Expeditions have been operating cruises for 99 passengers or less for months but there is still no sign of at least intrastate voyages along the state coastline.

Australians are desperate to rekindle their love of cruising.

The international border might be closed but that should not stop the resumption of some cruises within Australian waters and permissions for crews to quarantine appropriately and start their jobs again.

Let’s get cruising back on the agenda now.

Nick Dalton Deputy editor