MEDIA RELEASE
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE AUSTRALIA
D8
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed today
that next of kin of registered Australians on board HMAS Tobruk
had been notified that they were safely aboard.
HMAS Tobruk is now en route to Cairns.
Emergency Management Australia (EMA) has activated the Commonwealth
Government Reception Plan for those evacuated from the Solomon
Islands. They will work in conjunction with the Queensland State
Government to operate a reception centre.
On arrival, evacuees will undergo Customs, Immigration and
quarantine processing, but will also be provided with a range
of welfare, travel, medical and accommodation facilitation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade indicated that
evacuees would be accommodated at Federal Government expense on
the first one or two nights after arrival to assist them in planning
for their future movements.