Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Long-lasting impacts of lockdown on regional Victorians The local government's lack of preparation with the pandemic is making the state suffer. Our most recent lockdown may have lasted five days, but the impacts will be long-lasting across our regional communities. Is the local government's lack of pandemic preparation making our state suffer? By news@gippsland - 22nd February 2021 - Back to News The most recent lockdown may have lasted five days, but the impacts will be long-lasting across our regional communities. When Daniel Andrews announced late on Friday – ahead of the busy Valentine’s Day weekend – that the virus had again leaked out of government - run hotel quarantine, it sent businesses and community groups into a spiral of costly cancellations.
Surge in mental health support
In my home town of Swan Hill alone, the cost to the community was estimated at more than $2.5 million after lockdown. The forced cancellation of the annual Victorian Country Week Tennis Tournament, brought hundreds of people into town. The snap lockdown led to a surge in requests for mental health support with Lifeline receiving its third-highest number of calls in the nearly 60 years it has been operating.
Learning from past mistakes
I’m not naïve enough to say that mistakes won’t happen while we all battle a pandemic – there is always going to be unknowns that the government must address. The difference is the Andrews Labor Government just isn’t learning from its mistakes. There’s more than enough time to learn how to safely deliver hotel quarantine and effective contact tracing. We’re still waking up with the daily uncertainty of what we’ll get when Daniel Andrews parades in front of the cameras.
We’ve just emerged from a third statewide lockdown. Why does this keep happening? Why is Victoria suffering from such serious and consistent lapses in management of the government’s hotel quarantine program and contact tracing? Despite still failing to get the basics right, Daniel Andrews has moved to keep his extreme power over Victorians’ lives and livelihoods until the end of 2021.
Extend the State of Emergency Powers?
It’s part of an ongoing debate in the Victorian Parliament at the moment to extend the State of Emergency powers. Rather than allowing Parliament to review it on a month-by-month basis, Labor is asking for nine months. A nine-month blank cheque to close your business, your children’s school, and force you to cancel weddings and funerals. Daniel Andrews refuses to tell us the truth of what went wrong in hotel quarantine to lead to the second wave and to release public health advice behind his third lockdown. This Labor Government just doesn’t care.
Effective contact tracing and quarantine standards
Victorians have had enough. The spin, the rhetoric, the lies and the incompetence has to stop – the cost to us is too great. Daniel Andrews must put his arrogance aside and look to other states for his ‘gold standard’. New South Wales has successfully managed to keep outbreaks under control with good contact tracing which saves the need to lockdown the entire state. We need certainty but this will only happen when the Andrews Government fixes the holes in its hotel quarantine and ensures contact tracing is up to scratch. More blanket lockdowns will only sound the death knell for more country Victorian jobs and businesses.
By Peter Walsh
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Have Your Say on Wonthaggi structure plan review aiming to guide growth, community needs and opportunities
Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing the Wonthaggi Structure Plan. Have your say on the town's growth, housing, jobs, heritage, and future opportunities to help shape Wonthaggi as Bass Coast regional hub. - Have your say on the draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy balance road access, submit by 28 September 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council invites feedback on its Draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy, aiming to balance vibrant business activity with safe pedestrian access. Consultation runs 29 August - 28 September on Baw Baw Connect. - Join our free Beninette Tour for behind-the-scenes access, event facilities insights, and booking information
Ever wondered what's really beyond the bricks at Berninneit? Thinking about hiring a space or curious about what's backstage? Join us for a free guided tour and get an insider's look at every space in Berninneit, in just half an hour. - Wellington Shire Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange surges ahead, handling one in 43 Victorian Cattle Sales in 2024
Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange recorded a remarkable 122% increase in cattle throughput last financial year, making it the highest percentage increase of any saleyard in Australia. - Eat Drink Play Gippsland celebrates local flavours, award-winning cheeses, and culinary creations from passionate regional makers
Eat Drink Play Gippsland showcases top restaurants, award-winning cheeses, and artisanal delights. From snacks to gourmet dishes, the festival celebrates local flavours and passionate makers, offering something delicious for every palate. - Darren Chester applauds Metung Primary Footy Colours Day, showcasing student enthusiasm and schools' vital role in regional life
Darren Chester joined Tim Bull at Metung Primary Footy Colours Day, praising student enthusiasm, community spirit, and schools' vital role in fostering connections, participation, and regional community life through fun events - Lightfoot Wines combines tradition, creativity, and Gippsland flavours with award-winning wines, regional platters, and scenic views
Perched on a limestone bluff above the Mitchell River, Lightfoot Wines blends tradition and innovation, offering tastings, regional platters, and acclaimed wines, cementing its role in Gippsland's food and drink scene. - Allan Labor government backs regional footy and netball with $1.5M from 2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program
The Allan Labor government is investing $1.5 million in Morwell sports clubs through the Country Football and Netball Program, while opening new grants to upgrade regional facilities and boost community participation. - Melina Bath urges communities to honour veterans' families and support Legacy Week fundraising efforts
Melina Bath urges communities to support Legacy Week, honouring veterans' families. Funds raised provide financial, educational and emotional support, continuing Sir Stanley Savige's century-old vision of care, compassion and mateship. - Labor provides rebates and programs to help regional households switch from costly gas to cheaper electric appliances
The Allan Labor government is supporting 1,183 regional households impacted by Solstice's gas network closure with rebates, discounts, and programs to help them transition to cheaper, energy-efficient electric appliances. - Danny O'Brien criticises Labor for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, inconveniencing locals
Danny O'Brien condemns the Labor government for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, restricting public access and causing significant inconvenience for Gippsland communities who rely on local court assistance. - Gippsland's diverse landscapes and bold winemakers offering flavours as varied and unforgettable as the region itself
From wild coastlines to rugged ranges, Gippsland delivers bold landscapes and diverse wines. At Eat Drink Play Gippsland, explore unique flavours, passionate winemakers, and stories bottled across this Switzerland-sized wine region. - Latrobe City Council endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience. - Shop Local in South Gippsland to strengthen community, support jobs, and keeping our economy thriving together everyday
Shopping locally in South Gippsland strengthens our economy, supports jobs, services, and community groups. Every dollar spent locally multiplies impact, with increased spending boosting growth by millions annually. Shop Local South Gippsland. - East Gippsland Shire backs $15M Bairnsdale Airport upgrade to boost emergency response and healthcare services regionally
East Gippsland Shire Council has backed a $15 million Bairnsdale Airport upgrade, extending the runway to boost emergency response, healthcare services, and regional aviation, supported by government funding and health agencies.
|
|
