Australia walks back ‘racist’ India ban after backlash

Sydney: Australia’s prime minister fended off accusations of racism and having blood on his hands, as he retreated from a threat to jail Australians trying to escape Covidwracked India.

Scott Morrison’s government moved to ban travellers from India from entering Australia until May 15, threatening rule-breakers – including Australian citizens – with prison time.

Amid a widespread backlash, Morrison said it was “highly unlikely” that Australians who skirted a ban would be jailed.

“I think the likelihood of any of that occurring is pretty much zero,” he said in a breakfast-time media blitz yesterday.

Around 9,000 Australians are believed to be in India, where hundreds of thousands of new coronavirus cases are being detected every day and the death toll is soaring.

Among those trapped are some of Australia’s most high profile sporting stars – cricketers playing in the lucrative Indian Premier League.

Commentator and former Test cricket star Michael Slater was among those who pilloried Morrison’s decision, saying it was a “disgrace”.

“Blood on your hands PM. How dare you treat us like this,” he tweeted. “If our Government cared for the safety of Aussies they would allow us to get home.”

Morrison said the idea he had blood on his hands was “absurd”.

“The buck stops here when it comes to these decisions, and I’m going to take decisions that I believe are going to protect Australia from a third wave.

“I’m working to bring them home safely,” he added, indicating that repatriation flights could begin soon after May 15.

The decision came into force on Monday and was denounced by rights groups and some of Morrison’s most prominent allies, including Sky News commentator Andrew Bolt, who said it “stinks of racism”.

Australia has largely avoided the worst of the pandemic through strict border controls. There is a blanket ban on travel to-and-from the country unless an exemption is secured.

Non-residents are mostly banned from entering, and anyone who does enter the country must carry out a 14-day hotel quarantine.