Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator. Typically around 11,000 Australians a day travel through the region—11,000 every day—the majority through the United Arab Emirates. The situation is unprecedented, because in this crisis it is the hubs that we would usually rely on in a crisis that are in crisis rather than being the solution. The number of affected Australians dwarfs any consular operation that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has ever conducted. This morning I spoke with the UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister to express our solidarity. I thanked him for supporting Australians who are impacted by travel disruptions, including the UAE's provision of accommodation and meals for Australians. The UAE and airlines are working hard to put flights on for travellers when safe to do so. We will continue to work with airlines in the region to support Australians.