According to figures provided to the Senate estimates in March, there are more than 36,000 Australians stranded aboard, including 4,860 identified as vulnerable Australians, who are currently registered to return to Australia. Over 25% of the stranded Australians currently are in India. The actual number of Australians stranded overseas could be even higher now. It has come to a point where Australians feel they have been abandoned not just stranded. The need to act is NOW or it will be too little, too late for stranded Australians. The worry and grief for those stranded and their families is constant and we need to bring a closure to it by bringing all of them home.

We, the signatories, therefore ask the Australian Government to urgently intervene to bring back Australians in particular we ask the Australian Government:

1. To immediately commence repatriation of stranded Australians back home, including a timeframe to complete the repatriation.

2. In the light of the recent spike in coronavirus infections in India, the Government to commence immediate repatriation, as a matter of urgency, to bring back all Australians stranded in India.

3. Outline its plans to improve the quarantine facilities in all states and territories to provide a safe return to all Australians stranded overseas.