Private quarantine scheme could soon bring skilled workers, students in pay-for-use model

A company established by an influential Liberal party figure claims it could bring up to 160,000 foreign workers and students a year into Australia via a private hotel quarantine system with support from the Home Affairs Department. Key points: Quarantine Services Australia confirmed this week that Home Affairs was looking to facilitate an industry-led quarantine service Labor has labelled the scheme a "money-for-mates" venture Scott Morrison's office insists the Prime Minister is not involved with the QSA proposal Quarantine Services Australia was officially registered as a company on August 30 by former deputy NSW Liberal Party director Scott Briggs, who is also the president of Scott Morrison's federal electoral conference in his Sydney electorate of Cook. Two weeks earlier, another company linked to Mr Briggs, DPG Advisory Solutions, was awarded a $79,500 "limited tender" contract by the Home Affairs department to provide "consultancy services" to help develop the proposal. An "industry update" distributed by QSA this week confirmed "Home Affairs engaged DPG to help facilitate an Industry led and funded quarantine capability in line with Commonwealth Government policy". "How does it come to pass that the Prime Minister's two best mates are the only two people that the Department of Home Affairs has approached to set up a fee-for-service, privatised quarantine system?"