Treasurer Cameron Dick said the Queensland Investment Corporation had “very positive engagement” with both Cyrus Capital Partners and Bain Capital.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has spoken on how to get “international education back on its feet,” arguing that some form of jointly-funded quarantine will likely be necessary. With strict border restrictions leaving thousands of international students trapped abroad, Universities Australia estimates that the sector faces losses of between $3.1 billion and $4.8 billion this year

The decision means that private equity firm BGH Capital and US aviation company Indigo Partners have been knocked out ahead of a final 30 June deadline

It added in a surprise media release that travel to Brisbane is also possible “if you obtain permission from the Queensland government”.