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Private security guards Labor’s worst decision

The Andrews Labor Government’s decision to put private security guards on the frontline of the COVID-19 health response was key in its bungling of hotel quarantine.

In exhibits tendered to the hotel quarantine inquiry Outbreak Lead Dr Sarah McGuinness revealed private security guards allegedly lied to authorities. A Stamford hotel contractor who tested positive, the case reportedly notified to DHHS on 14 June, told authorities they didn’t work outside of the home. The Department only discovered the person had been allegedly working as a security guard at the Stamford days later.

Another contractor linked to the Rydges Hotel outbreak allegedly failed to disclose they’d been in close contact with a housemate during the infectious period. 

Dr McGuiness admitted the use of private security guards, who often worked in multiple jobs, may have contributed to the outbreaks. And yet the secretive Andrews Labor Government still refuses to admit who made the decision to employ private security guards instead of using the ADF.

This again highlights the reckless decision by the Andrews Labor Government to ignore the National Cabinet recommendation to utilise police and ADF personnel, instead providing jobs for mates. Ultimately, more than 99 per cent of second wave COVID-19 cases in Victoria have been traced back to hotel quarantine.

Victoria is in its current position not due to bad luck, but due to the bad decisions made by the Andrews Labor Government on hotel quarantine and its failures in contact tracing.

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:

“We could have had professional ADF personnel staffing our hotel quarantine, instead the Andrews Labor Government chose untrained private security guards to be on the frontline of a health pandemic. 

“The system Labor designed was designed to fail, and it’s why we are all left dealing with a second wave which has led to the loss of so many lives and livelihoods.

The Andrews Labor Government’s decision not to give Victoria Police and the ADF substantial roles was reckless and grievous.”

Comments attributable to Shadow Attorney-General, Edward O’Donohue:

“Premier Daniel Andrews must explain why those on the frontline were not provided with the training they needed to undertake such a dangerous and difficult role.

“Victorians are living under curfew for the first time in history because of the many failures of the Andrews Labor Government, including hotel quarantine.”

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