Wednesday 8 July 2020
Liberal ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s call for Victoria Police to investigate and assist in managing hotel quarantine
The Victorian Liberal ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s are calling on Victoria Police to investigate alleged criminal behaviour and assist in the managing of Daniel Andrews’ botched quarantine hotels.
Recent reports have highlighted a number of alleged criminal incidents which have occurred at Labor’s COVID-19 quarantine hotels, including:
– Fraudulent claiming of shifts worked;
– Cash-in-hand payments to security employees, with no payslips provided or superannuation paid;
– Security employees accepting bribes to allow quarantined individuals out of isolation and into the community;
– Disregard for existing social distancing practices and use of personal protective equipment.
With Daniel Andrews having recently made wage theft a criminal offence in Victoria, Victoria Police must investigate these serious allegations of criminal behaviour which has contributed to Victoria’s second wave of the virus and sent Victoria back into lockdown.
With the Department of Health and Human Services now admitting that Victoria’s coronavirus infections spike is largely due to cases stemming from quarantine hotels, Victoria Police must now step in and secure these locations to assist in stopping further outbreaks.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, David Southwick:
“Daniel Andrews’ botched quarantine hotels have forced suburbs to be locked down, livelihoods to be ruined and has placed the health and safety of the community at unacceptable risk.
“At a time when Lisa Neville refuses to answer questions about her knowledge of the EMV request for ADF support and whether she has misled the community, it’s even more important that Victoria Police conducts a thorough investigation into these serious allegations.
“Victorians cannot afford to wait three months for another inquiry and need Victoria Police to step in immediately to ensure the security of these facilities.
“With serious allegations of criminal behaviour occurring right under Labor’s nose, what confidence can Victorians have in their ability to manage this pandemic?
“Victoria Police must now use their State of Emergency powers to secure these hotels, investigate these incidents and ensure no further outbreaks are allowed to occur.”
