A Xmas pressie for travel

AUSTRALIANS should expect to be able to travel overseas by “Christmas at the latest”, Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan confirmed during a speech at the National Press Club yesterday.

“What we’ve seen so far and all the reports back is that the QR code system, which has obviously been modelled on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s model of what they think is needed in a QR code, seems to be interoperable with most of the countries that we’ve been dealing with,” Tehan said.

“We continue to do all the preparatory work so that when those international borders open...that Australians will be able to travel with a QR code link to their passport which will be able to show a proof of vaccination,” he added.

When the Minister was asked about issues around inbound tourism, in particular whether or not Chinese tourists who have been jabbed with the Sinopharm vaccine will be allowed into the country when borders open, Tehan said that decision was still subject to Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval.

“They are the authority that have registered the current vaccines...and they will be the responsible authority looking at all other vaccines, and ultimately whether they will be recognised here in Australia or not.”

Tehan added that the govt was making sure source markets overseas are aware that once borders are open, Australia’s tourism sector is “ready to go”.