SA’s former top bureaucrat has resigned as head of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrew’s office after phone records revealed he spoke to the head of police as the state’s hotel quarantine program – held responsible for a second wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths and forcing Melbourne into months-long shutdown – was hastily set up.
Melbourne’s controversial lockdown curfew was brought in with no input from Victoria Police, Chief Commissioner Shane Patton says .
The Victorian Government’s move to extend its state of emergency for another 12 months would entrench extraordinary powers in the hands of a few without oversight or debate. Parliament should not be overlooked, argues Eric Windholz.
A political stoush is brewing over a proposed 12-month extension to Victoria’s state of emergency to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.