RMIT experts available for comment on home quarantine and tourism
Experts from RMIT University are available to talk to media about Australia’s planned national home quarantine program and what traveller hesitancy could mean for the tourism industry.
Dr Marietta Martinovic (0414 488 840 or marietta.martinovic@rmit.edu.au)
Topics: electronic monitoring; home detention; tagging; GPS technology; RF technology; crime statistics; recidivism; re-offending; sex offenders
"It seems the national home quarantine program will be based on small pilots of the program which are underway in SA and NSW.
“Home quarantine will be possible for fully vaccinated returned travellers with a working smartphone.
“They must download the government's home quarantine app, which uses geolocation and facial recognition software to check the location of those isolating. The app contacts returned travellers at random, asking them to show proof of their location within 15 minutes. If the location cannot be identified, police conduct an in-person check.
“Even if the technical aspects work well, which is likely, two crucial aspects of home quarantine cannot be monitored – other household members taking all necessary steps to separate from the returned traveller, and that no one else is visiting the household.
“While some are concerned that aspects of the home quarantine program are open for misuse, others are calling home quarantine too intrusive and draconian.
“The way forward must be a slow and careful opening up to the world which includes a reliance on latest smart-phone technology and trust in people.”
Dr Marietta Martinovic is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Justice in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University. She has also consulted governments, nationally and internationally, about developing relevant electronic monitoring legislation, enhancing the operational aspects of electronic monitoring application, and setting up an ongoing evaluation framework and improvement process.
Associate Professor Con Stavros (0411 231 371 or con.stavros@rmit.edu.au)
Topics: marketing, tourism, border restrictions, travel hesitancy
“Various industries from tourism to education will have breathed a huge sigh of relief at the prospect of Australia's international border restrictions loosening in coming months.
“From a marketing perspective these industries and other businesses can begin to think of their plans in 2022 in a new light.
“However, they must acknowledge there will be hard work ahead to persuade people that travelling to Australia is feasible and reliable.
“Uncertainty about state-by-state rules, possible changes to quarantine requirements and the general uncertainty in life fuelled by COVID-19 has raised formidable barriers.
“Aside from businesses, the large component of Australians with families and loved ones overseas will be excited at the prospects of being physically reunited after one of the world's longest and most stringent border restrictions is lifted.
“The marketing effort will not be focused on encouraging Australians to leave the country – that demand will be there. The focus will be on dealing with concerns about the complexities of return given the current lack of clarity about how this will work.”
Associate Professor Con Stavros is a leading expert in marketing and is a regular media commentator.
For interviews, contact the experts on the above details.
For general media enquiries, contact RMIT Communications: 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au
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