Photo- PetRelocation
By SAT News Desk
MELBOURNE, 20 May 2021: The Victorian government is eager to have its own quarantine facilities for travelers, the state’s 2020-21 budget indicates.
Answering a question by South Asia Times during a Zoom budget briefing today, State Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson said, ” The state already has 14 quarantine hubs for international arrivals in Metro Melbourne and we have allocated $ 15 million for planning the proposed new quarantine near Avalon airport.”
The state’s Acting Premier told 9 News the Mickleham Pet’s facility (owned by the Commonwealth) should be funded by the Commonwealth, quarantine being its responsibility. The facility needs Commonwealth clearance.
For now, it remains to be seen what happens next as both the state and the Commonwealth have to come to an agreement on this issue. The quarantine facility at Howard Springs, Northern Territory is funded by the Commonwealth Government.
The current Mickleham quarantine facility in northern Melbourne is spread over 144 hectares, the facility caters to plants, horses, birds, and bees, in addition to cats and dogs. All pet dogs and cats entering Australia from category II and III countries are required by the Australian Government to spend a minimum of ten days in the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ), says petraveller.com.au.
