News from the Administrator
IOT COVID-19 subcommittee update – 15 April 2021 – ongoing considerations on WA adjustments
Further to our update on Monday, the IOT COVID-19 subcommittee continues to consider the significant adjustments announced by the Western Australian (WA) Government last week to its controlled border arrangements.
The adjustments cover travel to WA from New Zealand, the timing for Queensland to return to ‘very low risk’, and new advice regarding the timing of classification changes for jurisdictions moving forward.
The subcommittee’s process to gather further expert health advice to inform its deliberations on these changes and the impacts for IOT border arrangements, is ongoing.
We anticipate providing you with a further update on our local context and settings early next week.
For further detail on the WA Government announcements, see:
www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/controlled-interstate-border-changes-queensland
www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/wa-government-welcomes-quarantine-free-travel-new-zealand
WA Government welcomes quarantine-free travel from New Zealand
www.wa.gov.au
The WA Government today announced plans to allow for safe and quarantine-free travel between Western Australia and New Zealand. UPDATE ON IOT FLIGHTS AND FREIGHT
I am pleased to confirm that passenger flights for the Indian Ocean Territories will return to their usual routes from 20 April.
As you are aware, we had temporary changes to passenger air service routes over the past six weeks in response to aviation fuel supply shortages on Christmas Island caused by severe weather and swell, with all flights first stopping at CKI for refuelling before travelling on to CI and back to Perth.
From next week, the Tuesday service will return to its usual path of CI-CKI-Perth.
Thanks for your patience during this time – particularly in relation to the impacts on inter-island travel. We greatly appreciate your support while the Government and stakeholders have worked to manage this situation.
We are continuing to experience ongoing impacts on sea freight delivery and air services due to the ongoing challenging weather conditions.
There is continuous strong demand for air freight. The recent fuel supply issues on CI have affected the CKI freight situation, because freight services to CKI are largely dependent on refuelling on CI.
It was encouraging to see the successful run of the fortnightly air freighter service on Friday, in the face of the very poor weather resulting from the cyclone activity.
I will continue to escalate matters as required and encourage all stakeholders to work together to resolve some of the current issues and ensure ongoing availability of supplies.
The Government will continue to monitor and adjust IOT air services capacity as appropriate.
IOT COVID-19 subcommittee update – 12 April 2021 – WA adjustments
The IOT COVID-19 subcommittee met this afternoon to consider and discuss the significant adjustments announced by the Western Australian (WA) Government on Friday to its controlled border arrangements.
The adjustments cover travel to WA from New Zealand, the timing for Queensland to return to ‘very low risk’, and new advice regarding the timing of classification changes for jurisdictions moving forward.
In line with our precautionary approach to best protect our remote and vulnerable communities, the subcommittee is seeking further expert health advice to inform its deliberations on these changes and the impacts for IOT border arrangements.
We will provide you with a further update at the end of the week, following receipt and consideration of this advice and our position going forward.
For further detail on the WA Government announcements, see:
www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/controlled-interstate-border-changes-queensland
www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/wa-government-welcomes-quarantine-free-travel-new-zealand
WA Government welcomes quarantine-free travel from New Zealand
www.wa.gov.au
The WA Government today announced plans to allow for safe and quarantine-free travel between Western Australia and New Zealand. Vale Prince Philip, His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh
It is with great sadness that I pay my respects to the memory of Prince Philip, His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away today at the age of 99.
We pay tribute to his lifetime of exemplary service in both wartime and peace to his Crown, his country and the Commonwealth.
We here in the Indian Ocean Territories have a special connection to Prince Philip, as shortly after Her Majesty, the Queen, was crowned in 1953, they visited the Cocos (Keeling) Islands together in 1954 on their first royal tour.
On behalf of the communities of Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories, I send our deepest condolences to Her Majesty and all The Royal Family.
Flags will be lowered in honour of His Royal Highness on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
If you wish to send a personal condolence on the passing of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, you can do so by accessing the official Australian Government virtual condolence book at www.gg.gov.au/
📸 National Archives
H.M. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive at the Cocos Islands, April 1954
www.flickr.com
Meigan, Tom. Title from acquisition documentation.; This photograph is in private ownership.; Part of the collection: Photographs from Tom Meigan's Cocos (Keeling) Islands albums, 1952-1954.; Electronic reproduction. Canberra : National Library of Australia, 2004. 1 digital photograph : col. Mode of...Rest In Peace your Royal Highness .
Kelly Edwards Tania Charlston Pls share for me
With much respect 💖 Vale Prince Philip... a true gentleman 🌺
Must have been at the Clunies Ross mansion on Cocos. Does anyone have any memories of the visit?
The IOT COVID-19 subcommittee notes this afternoon’s significant announcement from the WA Government on a range of adjustments to its controlled border arrangements. This includes details on travel to WA from New Zealand, the timing for Queensland to return to ‘very low risk’, and new advice regarding the timing of classification changes for jurisdictions moving forward.
The subcommittee will now carefully consider these changes and the local context and risk. As always, we will continue to take a prudent and precautionary approach to restriction adjustment, to maintain the protection of our vulnerable IOT communities.
We will update the community further next week as any decisions are made.
For further detail on the WA Government announcements, see:
www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/controlled-interstate-border-changes-queensland
www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/wa-government-welcomes-quarantine-free-travel-new-zealand
Resources
Community Bulletins, Updates and Media Releases
Service Delivery Arrangements for the Indian Ocean Territories
2019-20 Budget Outcomes for the Indian Ocean Territories
Review of Tourism – The Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island – Deloitte
• IOT Tourism Review
• IOT Action Plan
Christmas Island CV Application Forms
Publications
Useful links
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