Australians 'abandoned not stranded' by cap on flight arrivals, families say

Government ministers have shamefully washed their hands' of those unable to return home, tearful Melbourne woman tells inquiry

Federal politicians have been berated for abandoning" Australian citizens overseas during the coronavirus pandemic with witnesses telling a Senate inquiry government ministers had shamefully washed their hands" of those unable to return.

Melbourne woman Peta Stoyanovich-Kristie broke down in tears on Thursday when explaining the situation of her 79-year-old mother-in-law, Stanika, and husband, Luke. They are stuck in Serbia, where Luke flew with a valid exit exemption after his father died in July.