Michael Slater on Monday lashed out at Australian PM Scott Morrison for his ban on returnees from India claiming he has blood on his hands. India is in the midst of a deadly coronavirus wave that has seen it record over 3 lakh cases per day for over 10 days now.
Australia has issued a travel ban on those arriving from India including its own citizen with the federal government announcing those breaking the rule could face a fine of up to AUD 66,000 and five years imprisonment.
Scott Morrison Defends The Ban
Former Australia cricketer Michael Slater was in India as part of the commentary panel for the ongoing IPL 2021 but has now left for the Maldives and waiting there for the travel ban to end. He has branded the ban on Australians trying to return home as a ‘disgrace’ on Twitter. However, Scott Morrison has defended the ban.
“No, that’s obviously absurd,” he told the Nine Network when asked about Slater’s comment. “This is about getting more people home safely, preventing the third wave here in Australia.”
Scott Morrison further said the ban will also help in reducing undue stress on Australia’s quarantine regime.
“Every system is going to face its stresses and I’m not going to break the system,” he said. “What I’m going to do is take proportionate action to protect the system so I can bring more Australians home and keep Australians safe for the longer term.”
The Australian government has made it clear that Australians who are engaged in the IPL will have to make their own arrangements.
Michael Slater Furious At Scott Morrison Declared Ban As He Can’t Return Home
On Monday as IPL 2021 got hit by a coronavirus crisis with players and members of support staff and groundsmen testing positive, Michael Slater took to Twitter to express his anger at not being able to return home.
“If our Government cared for the safety of Aussies they would allow us to get home. It’s a disgrace!! Blood on your hands’ PM. How dare you treat us like this. How about you sort out the quarantine system. I had government permission to work on the IPL but I now have government neglect,” he wrote.
Australia has shut its borders and not allowing any commercial flights from India because of the massive COVID-19 surge here which has led to all the players, support staff, and commentators, who might have wanted to leave the IPL in a fix.