Reports today that more than 800 of the over 3,000 people that have tested positive to COVID-19 and should have been quarantined at home but were not when doorknocked is simply not good enough.
This is despite warnings and threats of fines over a week ago and prior to going into Stage 4 restrictions.
Daniel Andrews’ announcement of a new fine for those caught breaking their COVID-19 isolation is too little, too late as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens.
Victoria has maintained a fines regime since the start of this pandemic but with new breaches occurring each and every day, it is clear fines alone are insufficient to ensure people do the right thing and keep the community safe.
The Andrews Government’s reasoning for moving from a State of Emergency to a State of Disaster was to provide Victoria Police with the powers to enforce the law for those that deliberately break it; but the time for talk is now over.
Today, the Victorian Liberal Nationals repeat calls for electronic monitoring and mandatory detention, where necessary, to proactively stop COVID-19 breaches before they occur.
With Victorians now facing a long and difficult six-week lockdown, the Andrews Labor Government must ensure the communities efforts are not in vain and get serious about addressing the deliberate spread of COVID-19.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, David Southwick:
“A serious lockdown requires serious enforcement and it’s time Daniel Andrews steps up against those deliberately breaking the rules.
“A new fine will not put the genie back in the bottle and Daniel Andrews must introduce urgent measures to stop breaches before they occur.
“The Victorian Liberal Nationals are supportive of electronic monitoring and detention where necessary and will work with the Government to urgently introduce these measures.”
