Critics are itching for an opportunity to slam universities for calling for an end to the ban on direct arrivals from China.  It isn’t going to happen

Vicki Thomson from the Group of Eight demonstrates why. Following the government announcing yesterday that direct arrivals from China are banned for yet another week she was out expressing sympathy for the 55 000 Go8 students still caught and explaining how her members help them study at a distance.

But there was no light between bat and pad in backing the feds. “The Government is clearly responding to increased numbers of cases in Australia and internationally and the Go8 will always support decisions that put the health of the Australian population first.

“It is also important for the Go8 to restate that it has always held the strong position that it is not its place to request any lifting or partial lifting of this ban and has not attempted to do so. We know the Government is at all times acting on the latest and best possible medical advice.”