The Liberal Nationals are calling on the Victorian Government to publicly release COVID-19 genomic data.
The data, which is released in other states, helps the public understand where the majority of cases originate from.
Victorians have been told that detailed genomic data has been collated about the spread of the coronavirus in Victoria, but the Andrews Labor Government is refusing to release it to the public.
As Victorians face the devastating health, mental health, economic and social impacts of new virus infections and Stage 4 restrictions, we need answers, not secrecy.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton has admitted that it is conceivable that all of Victoria’s current coronavirus infections could be traced back to Labor’s hotel quarantine debacle.
Victorians deserve to see this genomic data, not be kept in the dark by the Andrews Labor Government.
Leading medical experts also agree that more data on the spread of the coronavirus must be released.
As reported in The Age, Epidemiologist Tony Blakely from the University of Melbourne said:
“We don’t want to just be berated about behaving badly. We want to know why [the cases are increasing] … how we can fix it. Everybody needs to feel like they are in the control room.”
The New South Wales government routinely discusses the genomic data associated with new infections in detail, keeping the community informed of how the virus is spreading.
Victorians deserve no less.
Comments attributable to Leader of the Opposition, Michael O’Brien:
“Daniel Andrews must stop hiding genomic data on the spread of COVID-19. Victorians are being hurt by Stage 4 restrictions and deserve answers as to how it has come to this.
“As millions of Victorians are asked to make unprecedented sacrifices, hundreds-of-thousands of jobs are lost and small businesses forced to close their doors, the community deserves to know the truth.
“Victorians must see the genomic data explaining the spread of the virus and Labor must stop hiding it.”
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:
“Daniel Andrews needs to listen to the medical experts who agree this data must be released.
“We have had enough secrecy from Labor, the community deserves transparency on the spread of this deadly virus.”
