Health authorities only provided ‘advice’ on penalties for Aussies returning from India

Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has stressed Australia’s health experts were asked by government for advice in relation to the risk of returning travellers from India – stating he does not make decisions for government. From today, it will be illegal for Australian citizens to return from India – with those found not complying potentially facing up to five years imprisonment or a $66,000 fine. Professor Kelly told Sky News Section 474 of the Biosecurity Act “requires the minister to seek advice in relation to the proportionality of potential decisions as well as making sure they are the least restrictive for the least amount of time necessary to deal with an issue of public health threat”. “And so that was the advice that we provided. “Then under the law, since that decision has been made under those emergency powers, in another section of the act is about the penalties. “So, we weren’t asked about penalties, that’s the law.” Pressed further on his role in the decision to make it illegal for Australians to return home and the harsh penalties that apply for breaking the rule, Professor Kelly stressed “I’m an advisor, I don’t make decisions of government.”