News that the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry final report has now been delayed by six weeks to 21 December, just a few days before Christmas, apparently due to the failure of the Andrews Government to produce further documents, should be very concerning to all Victorians.
DHHS documents which were not provided to the inquiry but later revealed by the media, included an email on March 27 sent to Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, where Professor Sutton acknowledged the use of private security, which contradicts the evidence he gave under oath that the first he knew private security was being used in the hotels was after media reporting in May.
Disturbingly, Labor has still not provided all additional documents requested to the Board of Inquiry, despite several notices to produce. This highlights the lack of forthright cooperation.
From day one, all we’ve seen is cover-ups and blame shifting from the Andrews Labor Government. Victorians deserve the truth.
The Liberal Nationals welcome the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry having additional time and again call on the Inquiry to schedule further public hearings of key witnesses to get to the bottom of this sorry mess.
Let’s hope the remarkable bouts of amnesia have now passed and witnesses including the Premier, former Minister Mikakos, former DPC Secretary Chris Eccles, the Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp, Ministers Lisa Neville and Martin Pakula, former Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and others that have left so many unanswered questions can be further tested. Daniel Andrews’ chief of staff must also give evidence to clarify her role in this fiasco.
Comments attributable to Shadow Attorney-General, Edward O’Donohue:
“Labor has tried to cover-up and blame shift, but the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry must use the extra time now available to get to the truth for long suffering Victorians.”
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:
“800 Victorians have lost their lives after Daniel Andrews let the COVID-19 genie out of the bottle unleashing the devastating second wave that has cost Victorians so much.”
