To provide certainty and limit the damage to Victorian’s lives and livelihoods the Liberal Nationals are calling on the Andrews Labor Government to immediately recommission the modelling and redo the Roadmap to Recovery.
In Question Time today Health Minister, Jenny Mikakos refused to acknowledge the need to update the Andrews Labor Government’s Roadmap to Recovery. This is despite a range of epidemiologists and experts from Melbourne University saying that there needs to be a review into the Government’s approach.
It is the clear that the Minister’s refusal to answer a simple question to commit to updating the modelling will bring no joy to millions of Victorians who are concerned about a prolonged lockdown that is unlikely to meet the step-by-step deadlines outlined by the Government. AThe harsh restrictions and lockdowns are destroying business opportunities and dashing the hopes of so many Victorians.
There is a clear need to revise the modelling as leading epidemiological experts from the University of Melbourne have said the Government’s “targets to relax restrictions are far too tough”. With news that Victoria is tracking well to reduce the daily cases of COVID-19 a flexible and measured approach must be considered.
Failure to act will only lead to protracted and unnecessary suffering, that will see more long-term impacts to the health, mental health, social and economic wellbeing of Victorians and Victoria.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:
“Minister Mikakos’ refusal to acknowledge the need to update the lockdown modelling illustrates an inflexible and dangerous approach taken by this Government.
“Victoria is in this mess not due to bad luck, but due to mismanagement and incompetence by the Minister herself and her colleagues within the Andrews Labor Government. She owes every single Victorian a commitment for a better approach than what is on offer.
“With restrictions being lifted in regional Victoria an updated focus on modelling must be a priority of the Andrews Labor Government.”
