Virgin Australia's chief executive has acknowledged her comments about international borders earlier this week offended some people.
Virgin Australia chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka says her choice of words was far from ideal. Photo: AFP / William West
Jayne Hrdlicka told a business function hosted by the Queensland University of Technology on Monday that the government needed to outline a plan to reopen the country's international border.
Hrdlicka argued Australians must realise that Covid-19 cannot be kept out of the country forever and that "some people may die" as a result of reopening.
New Zealand Flight Centre chief executive Graham Turner agreed with her comments on reopening the international borders, saying people died from flu, road accidents, and smoking, and Covid-19 was another minor risk in New Zealand that people would learn to live with.
However, Hrdlicka told a media event at Brisbane Airport today her choice of words was far from ideal.
"I very much understand that my words taken in isolation may have offended people," Hrdlicka said.
"If had time again I would use different words to make the same point.
"We are a domestic airline that is absolutely committed to keeping the community safe."
She said the context of her comments was that the vulnerable needed to be vaccinated before the border closure ended, and that anyone who wanted a vaccine had the opportunity to have one.
Deputy prime minister Michael McCormack welcomed her clarification.
"I'm very satisfied with Jayne's explanation today and she's clarified her comments and that's good," he said.
"I know that we have followed the best possible medical advice all the way through. We'll continue to do so and listen to and heed that advice and do the right thing in the national interest."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison previously said the comments were insensitive.
"Nine hundred and ten Australians have lost their lives. Every one of those was a terrible tragedy, it doesn't matter how old they were," he said earlier this week.
"I understand that we want to be able to prepare to get us in a place that when it's safe to do so, that we can make changes in there, but right now, it's not safe to do so."
Virgin Australia issued a statement on Monday responding to Hrdlicka's comments, saying that eradication of Covid-19 could not be Australia's long-term goal.
"The question is not if, but when we will be sufficiently vaccinated to protect our people and our hospital system to open our international borders," a Virgin spokesperson said.
"We must learn to live with Covid-19 in the community in a way that protects the health and safety of our people but also opens Australia up to the rest of the world."
-ABC / RNZ
