Australians stuck in Wuhan will not be charged $1,000 to be airlifted from the epicentre of the coronavirus, in a backflip the government has blamed on "incorrect information".
On Sunday, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the announcement of the $1,000 price tag days earlier was a mistake.
"They're not going to be charged ... The Department of Foreign Affairs has publicly said they provided incorrect information," he told ABC's Insiders program.
The department had previously said the charge was consistent with the arrangements that were in place when people were airlifted out of Cairo during the Arab Spring.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in Canberra. Source: AAP
"It's very clear that the advice that we got originally was incorrect," Mr Frydenberg said.
But less than an hour earlier, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton defended the government's initial position.
"I don't think it's inappropriate that there is that charge, that there is a recovery of at least some of the cost that we're expending for that charter flight. I think that's a common-sense position," Mr Dutton told Sky News.
"In circumstances before, people have paid an amount of money. The fact is it's a charter flight and there will be significant expense to the Australian taxpayer."
Mr Morrison announced on Saturday foreign travellers who have left or passed through China will be denied entry to Australia, aiming to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families, dependents, legal guardians and spouses, will be exempted from the strict measures, Mr Morrison said.
People who arrive in Australia and have been to mainland China, not just the Hubei province, are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from the time they left the country.
He also announced advanced screening arrangements at major airports.
Mr Dutton said border and medical staff have been working through the night to set up these arrangements to deal with travellers from China.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison makes the annoucement on Wednesday. Source: AAP
He said staff conducting the screening that commenced from 6am on Sunday will be well protected.
Arriving travellers will be issued with masks and information and tested with thermometers.
"It provides additional reassurance to the Australian public that we are absolutely determined to deal with this issue," Mr Dutton said.
"We have been decisive in making these decisions to get us to this point and we'll do whatever is necessary to keep Australians safe."
These measures came as South Australia confirmed two new coronavirus cases there - a Chinese couple in their 60s - bringing the national total to 12.
Australians are also being told not to travel to mainland China as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases grows.
Additional reporting: AAP
