A bitter stoush between the government and cricket commentator Michael Slater has escalated after the former sportsman told Prime Minister Scott Morrison to come to India and “witness the dead bodies in the street”.
The former test cricketer was among some 9,000 Australians stranded in India when the government announced the suspension of all direct flights out of the country.
Slater, who has since travelled to the Maldives, according to The Australian newspaper, was caught in India’s ongoing COVID-19 crisis while working with the Indian Premier League.
He first accused Mr Morrison of having blood on his hands over the travel ban in a tweet on Monday, before doubling down days later.
“The fear of every Australian in India is real,” he said on Wednesday night, challenging Mr Morrison to a debate. “How about you take your private jet and come and witness dead bodies on the street.”
Responding to the comments on Thursday, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud accused Slater of “acting like a spoilt prat”.
“He needs to grow up and think about the big issues at play,” he told Nine’s Sunrise program.
“No one is underestimating the harrowing impacts on the Indian people over there, or on the Australians stuck there, but the Australian government's primary responsibility is to keep its people safe.”
Mr Littleproud said the cricket star should take some personal responsibility for travelling in a pandemic while “thousands of Indians are dying every day”.
Slater had previously accused the government of .
“For those who think this is a money exercise, well forget it. This is what I do for a living and I have not made a penny having left early,” he said.
“Above all my love and prayers to every Indian. You have been nothing but amazing to me every time I've been there.”
Asked about Slater's comments on Wednesday, Mr Morrison told 3AW said he understood the former cricketer disagrees with his decision but as Prime Minister, he has to act in Australia's national interests.
"I understand that he’s upset, I understand that he’s frustrated, I understand that particularly those in our cricket community have deep connections with India," he said.
"I respect that he’s a fellow Australian, and I look forward to be able to return safely home after, after having spent the time where he’s had to spend in the meantime."
Meanwhile, the number of according to Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell.
He said the demand for consular assistance has been in “overdrive” since the government announced that no Australian citizens or residents in India would be able to return home until at least 15 May when the policy will be reviewed.
The measures came into effect on Monday, making it a criminal offence for anyone who has been in India in the past 14 days to enter Australia.
It means Australian citizens and residents failing to comply with the emergency determination could face a $66,600 fine or a five-year jail term, despite the government claiming they have no intention of issuing penalties.
Health Minister Greg Hunt has vowed to resume repatriation flights as soon as possible, but said it would not be before the planned 15 May deadline.
Mr Morrison said he was confident flights would return after 15 May, but added that the "pause is working".
"It was the right decision for Australia's health and safety, [and] it was the right decision to ensure we can sustainably bring Australian citizens, residents and their direct families back from India," he said.
India recorded more than 382,00 new COVID-19 cases and 3,780 deaths on Wednesday. Over the past week the country has accounted for almost 50 per cent of new cases worldwide, the World Health Organization said.
