Coronavirus leaves Australians stranded in Peru

Jodie Farrington's husband Luke was part of a four-week cricket tour of South America with his brothers and friends. The quick introduction of travel bans at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic meant the tour was stranded.

Since then one Bendigo man - Rob Fisher - has made it home as have the UK members of the tour.

But Luke and three other Australians are in a hostel in Lima.

"We are able to FaceTime him every day (but) we just need him home, its our daughter's birthday this weekend and (soon) it's our son's birthday," Jodie said.

"I have still had no contact with anyone. My husband has talked to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade but there is no news on getting home.

"The fact the government can't help our fellas is frustrating."

Adding to Jodie's frustrations is the reduce income the family is living off with Luke unable to work and Jodie on reduced hours to care for the family's three children.

"He would be working (if he was home)," Jodie said. "It's hard with three young kids, paying a mortgage, paying for daycare and things like that.

"Our family is great, they are trying to help where they can but not being able to send the kids to stay with anyone is hard.

"We have two nearly teenage daughters home by themselves. Some friends have offered to cook meals and buy Easter eggs for the kids. But the (best solution) is just geting my husband home."

Luke had a chance to fly home but was unable to raise the $5000 for a ticket before the flight sold out.

Member for Bendigo urged the government to following in Germany and Britain's footsteps in bringing Australians home.

"The German government has organised at least 70 chartered flights for their citizens who are stranded overseas and UK are only charging small fees that their people can pay back when they can afford to," she said.

"With Australian airlines wanting Australian government bailouts and so many planes grounded, there is an opportunity for the Government to coordinate fights home."

Ms Chesters said she had written to foreign affairs minister Marise Payne to request the government bring Australians overseas home.

"Not only have there been too few seats available for stranded Australians, they have been far too expensive," she said. "Those leaving Peru were charged $5000 per person for one-way economy flights - leaving many Australians priced out of a ticket to safety."

"Luke and his fellow cricket team members (and brothers) are local and right now what we all want is for them to be home. It's time to bring our people home."

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