Labor backbencher Joel Fitzgibbon says there wouldn’t be an argument over the travel bans if the Commonwealth “engaged in quarantine early and invested the money”.
The Morrison government has implemented a ban on all Australians returning from India until May 15 and has threatened heavy fines and jail time for those able to breach the ban.
The ban came after calls from state governments for more Commonwealth involvement in quarantine services including suggestions defence force bases should have been used.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the Morrison government should have followed the recommendation in the Halton review and established quarantine services in remote locations.
Former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman told Sky News both state and federal governments need to be “part of the solution” in terms of quarantine and getting Australians home.
“The Commonwealth with the states and territories should have established remote locations for quarantine away from our cities.”