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- The Victorian Premier has defended his decision to keep the state in lockdown for another two weeks following criticism from the Prime Minister
- Scott Morrison said the decision to extend strict stage four lockdowns was “hard and crushing” for all Victorians
- The PM and Treasurer also called on the Victorian Government to reopen its economy and “restore the liberties” of its residents
- Daniel Andrews has shrugged off the criticism, maintaining the decision was influenced by the best health advice available
- Both the Victorian Chief Health Officer and the Australian Medical Association President have backed the extension
- But, the PM has again stated today the lockdown plans need to be investigated
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has defended his decision to keep the state in lockdown for another two weeks following criticism from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Federal criticism
The PM, Treasurer and Health Minister released a joint statement, labelling yesterday’s announcement that stage four lockdown restrictions would be extended until September 28, as both “harsh and devastating”.
— Greg Hunt (@GregHuntMP) September 6, 2020
The Federal Leaders also took aim at the Andrews Government’s failed hotel quarantine program, stating the lockdown extension is a “result from not being able to contain outbreaks of COVID 19, resulting in high rates of community transmission”.
Scott Morrison, Josh Frydenberg and Greg Hunt have all urged the Premier to reconsider the extension and instead look at softening the lockdown restrictions and “restore the liberties” of Victorian citizens.
“It is vital to the national interest to restore Victoria to a COVIDSafe environment, where we can reopen our economy and reasonably restore the liberties of all Australians, whether in Victoria or anywhere else,” they added.
The comments coincide with widespread protests being held on Saturday by people arguing the measures imposed by the Victorian Government impede upon their freedom and liberties.
Health backing
But, Premier Daniel Andrews has remained resolute in his conviction to extend the lockdowns – stating he’s being guided by the best health advice and data modelling available.
Specifically, the Premier argued, “none of us have the luxury … of letting our frustration get the better of us and simply saying, I so desperately want this to be over that I’m going to pretend that it is.”
“That’s not a recipe for anything other than a third wave and being open for a very short period of time and then being closed down again,” he said.
“That’s not a strategy, that’s not the advice, that’s not what the data or the doctors recommend and, therefore, that is not an option that is available to us now,” he added.
Premier Andrews roadmap for easing Victoria out of COVID-19 lockdowns has been welcomed by most health officials – but not the Federal Health Minister — including Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton and head of the Australian Medical Association, Omar Korshid.
“The Victorian government has made necessary decisions based on sound medical advice, in the best interests of the nation’s health and the nation’s economy,” Omar said.
“The Victorian government modelling shows what doctors already knew. If restrictions were lifted this week, the state would see infections rise again,” he added.
Economic impact
Despite being backed by health officials, the Prime Minister is remaining firm in his criticism of Premier Andrews, doubling down on his comments today that the lockdowns are too harsh.
Scott Morrison said the threshold for raising restrictions was too high and argued the economic impact of extended lockdowns would affect all Australians.
“It’s certainly not going to have a positive impact. It’s going to have a negative impact. It’s actually going to impact on employment and on incomes, on revenues, and all of these things,” the PM argued.
The Prime Minister has also vowed to investigate the full details of the plan and work with the Victorian Government to provide support to the millions stuck in lockdown.
“The announcement that Victorians would continue to live under curfew and be under these restrictions for many months, if not just weeks, in the harshest of those restrictions, of course, is crushing news,” he said.
“The plan that was outlined yesterday, I hope, is a worst-case scenario. I see it as a starting point in terms of how this issue will be managed in the weeks and months ahead in Victoria. We will continue to carefully review this plan,” he added.
