Premier Peter Gutwein has defended the actions of Biosecurity Tasmania staff and the decision made by the State Controller to allow passengers from the Ruby Princess to come home to Tasmania.
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An incident that alleged Biosecurity Tasmania staff identified passengers returning to Tasmania from the Ruby Princess cruise ship as being high-risk before being told by the State Controller to let them leave was revealed during the Primary Industries budget estimates on Thursday.
The incident was levelled at Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett by Opposition Primary Industries spokesman Shane Broad, who alleged the incident resulted in the COVID-19 outbreak in the North-West.
He accused the Minister of passing the buck, and for not answering questions, when Mr Barnett and Biosecurity Tasmania acting general manager Rae Burrows repeatedly said the matter had been decided by the State Controller - Police Commissioner Darren Hine.
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Mr Gutwein said Dr Broad did not have the facts on the issue, and that the passengers were allowed to enter Tasmania on the condition they would self isolate. Dr Broad said he was of the understanding the passengers were allowed to leave and not enter quarantine.
"I want to reiterate our government's condolences to those who lost their lives during the early days of the pandemic. We stood with Tasmanians during this time and we know how difficult and tragic this time was for families who lost loved ones," Mr Gutwein said.
He said the public health emergency was declared on March 17 and the same day a directive was issued that anyone who arrived from overseas on or after March 16 were to self isolate for 14 days.
On March 20 the borders were strengthened and all arrivals into Tasmania regardless of previous location were to self isolate for 14 days.
The Ruby Princess docked in Sydney on March 19 and authorities allowed passengers to disembark and return home to their home states and territories.
Any Tasmanians returning from the Ruby Princess to Tasmania from 19 March were expected to self isolate for 14 days
NSW Health announced on March 20 that four people on the cruise ship Ruby Princess had tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr Broad said the incident highlighted there was an opportunity to stop the outbreak on the Ruby Princess that resulted in the deaths of 13 Tasmanians.
"What we've seen today is buck passing from different ministers and people responsible and nobody will take responsibility for it. It's disappointing it's had to come out in a committee like this."
Dr Broad said this was another instance of a government who lacked transparency and wanted to hide everything behind closed doors.