A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, seeking access to public health advice that informed the Chief Health Officer’s decision to impose 5km and 25km movement limits on Victorians, has been blocked by the Andrews Labor Government.
This latest decision is just another example of the secrecy of this Labor Government. It refuses to release documents that have been relied upon to lock down 6 million Victorians time and time again.
Every time there is a lockdown, arbitrary limits on movement are imposed. It’s essential Victorians know why.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Liberal Nationals have submitted multiple Freedom of Information requests to uncover secret information being used by the Andrews Labor Government. These other requests have been blocked and have since been taken to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner.
This time, the Government indicated that the public health advice requested may not even be provided by the Chief Health Officer, despite Daniel Andrews declaring public health advice is used by the government to determine every decision.
The continued secrecy by this Government just goes to show why the Liberal Nationals’ Private Member’s Bill on forcing the Chief Health Officer to release public health advice is so important.
Victorians expect transparency and accountability from the Andrews Labor Government and right now they’re not getting that.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:
“The Andrews Labor Government’s continued refusal to release public health advice just goes to show the contempt it has for the people of Victoria.
“Victorians expect and deserve transparency when it comes to decisions made by the Andrews Labor Government that restrict their most basic of freedoms. That’s why the Liberal Nationals have introduced a Private Member’s Bill to mandate transparency when it comes to locking down millions of Victorians and forcing thousands of businesses to close.
“The Andrews Labor Government continues to claim decisions are made based on public health advice, but does everything it can to keep it secret. The Government must come clean with the public health advice in the interests of transparency and accountability.”
