Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews hits back at criticism of Melbourne curfew

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Daniel Andrews has hit back at criticism over his decision to strengthen the nighttime curfew after several epidemiologists questioned its effectiveness.

Melbourne’s lockdown has been extended for another two weeks, with authorities banning playgrounds and installing a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

Mr Andrews said on Tuesday that the decision to introduce the harsh rule was part of a series of measures recommended by the director of public health aimed at stopping the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant.

“It is not for me to prove the effectiveness of a measure or to provide hard data that establishes it,” the Victorian Prime Minister told reporters.

“I never said one thing was a magic wand with it, and I’m not in a position to speak to you and provide you with any hard data to back up a claim I never made.”

The tough new rules have been questioned by experts and opposition MPs.

Jodie McVernon, director of epidemiology at the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, said she did not believe imposing a curfew in Melbourne was reducing the spread of the virus.

“Personally, I am not aware of any evidence that the curfews per se are particularly effective,” she told ABC radio.

“It is clear that we need the public to cooperate with these measures in order for them to be effective. “

The new rule has also angered some opposition MPs, who say the curfew is not based on good science.

Opposition leader in the Legislative Council, David Davis, questioned the health reports surrounding the curfew.

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“The Prime Minister has immense power at the moment, and there must be careful scrutiny of him and his ministers,” Davis said.

“We know that (the curfew) did not pile up the last time around and yet this time, as on so many occasions when these orders are issued, the government has not released the briefings and the information that brings them out. underlying. “

Members of the upper house were forced into parliament on Tuesday as Attorney General Jaclyn Symes decided to postpone the sitting week until the end of August.

Davis, presented a counter-offer to keep parliament to continue to operate under stricter guidelines and with rapid tests in place, which lost 22 votes to 12.

During the heated debate, opposition MPs argued that the adjournment of sitting dates meant the government could not be controlled.

Liberal MP Georgie Crozier said Victorians suffered as politicians were held to account for public health decisions.

“This house is able to provide a level of scrutiny to the millions of Victorians who are locked in their homes 23 hours a day,” Ms. Crozier said.

“Who has no voice, who feels abandoned, who has more and more mental health problems because of the decisions your government is making.

“Free health advice on curfew.” “

Victorian Greens parliamentary leader Samantha Ratnam supported a one-week adjournment, but not an indefinite adjournment.

She asked why the government had not found a way to meet remotely.

“Parliament cannot be seen as a mere inconvenience for the government, it is an essential part of our democratic system,” she said.

The government’s decision to close the playgrounds has also been criticized, with health director Brett Sutton defending the decision.

He said authorities were investigating whether there had been transmission in a playground.

“It’s not final and we may not be able to make it final, but it looks like there has been transmission in a playing field,” Professor Sutton said.

“There is a risk of transmission in these settings. We have seen child-to-child transmission throughout this epidemic, in schools, in other circumstances. It happens very quickly. “

Victoria recorded 24 new cases of coronavirus, 10 of which were infectious in the community.

Of the new infections recorded overnight, 21 are linked to known epidemics and 14 were isolated throughout their infectious period.

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