Devastated Virgin Australia employees have made an emotional plea for their airline following the .
Speaking at Sydney Airport an hour after the announcement was made, a series of Virgin Australia staff from across the business urged the government not to let the airline fall.
"I see Virgin Australia as something like my other mother - I love it like another mother," one employee said.
"It's like family to me, and to every person behind me, plus another 16,000 more across the globe. Virgin Australia is our family ... you feel the grief of losing a family member, and that's what we will feel if we lose Virgin Australia."
A member of the Virgin Australia ground staff then made a plea to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to not "clip our wings".
"I have been with this company for 16-and-a-half years, and I was with Ansett before," he said.
"These people behind me, they're not only my mates, but they're also my brothers and sisters. Sir, I could not do your job and I don't envy you, but please let me do mine."
'The government has been complacent'
Speaking on the government's decision to not step in with a last-minute bailout before the carrier went into administration, federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese said the government's "complacency" was the reason Virgin Australia had been forced into administration.
Federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann reiterated the government would not be buying into Virgin Australia earlier on Tuesday morning. 
"The Government, the current Federal Government, have a responsibility here, because it is a direct result of Government policy that we find ourselves in these circumstances," Mr Albanese said.
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has slammed the Government's refusal to offer Virgin a bailout. Source: Twitter 'TWUAus'
"If 16,000 people directly lose their jobs, that is 16,000 people who are on the Centrelink queue, not contributing to the national economy as we emerge from this crisis."
Virgin Australia is carrying about $5 billion in debt, employs about 10,000 people and supports another 5000 indirect jobs.
National secretary of the Transport Workers' Union Michael Kaine urged the government to invest in the airline now to avoid it meeting a swift end.
"Scott Morrison and the Government will be on the wrong side of history if they do not step up right now and do what they should have done weeks ago, and that is take an equity stake in Virgin," Mr Kaine said.
"It's time to send a clear market signal that the Government will step up and take an equity stake in Virgin that will give confidence to the administrator, it will give confidence to the market, it will bring Australia in line with the rest of the world that supports aviation."
The airline has nominated Deloitte as its administrator, which has said it will will try to recapitalise the business to help it emerge "in a stronger position on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis."
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at .
