The Victorian government will allocate a further $209.3 million to support the state’s small businesses through an extended lockdown as the Morrison government hints at federal support on Thursday.
The Victorian and federal governments have exchanged tense words over the Commonwealth s contribution to the state as it undergoes a seven-day lockdown in response to a cluster of Covid cases.
Acting Victorian premier James Merlino has refused to give a straight answer about why Victoria is the only state going into a fourth lockdown when he was grilled by journalists at a press conference on Thursday.
Mr Merlino, who is replacing Daniel Andrews while he recovers from a back injury, was continually asked why Victoria was enduring yet another round of tough restrictions as the rest of the country remains open.
Victoria will enter a stage 3 lockdown from Thursday midnight that will last for seven days with schools closed and only five reasons to leave home - as a Covid cluster containing the highly infectious Indian strain grew to 26.
In a big day in Australian Covid-19 developments, Victoria s shock new cluster has grown to 15, one state has closed its border and a snap lockdown is being discussed.
Victorian Premier was severely injured when he stumbled down a flight of stairs
Fifty per cent chance Dan Andrews could still require surgery, source says
Recovery time could be three months if the premier has the operation
He is in a Melbourne hospital that deals with traumatic spinal injuries after fall
Premier s political allies could turn into foes should he be sidelined too long
The political fallout from Daniel Andrews ugly fall down the stairs could be significant with speculation rife whether he will be able to run the state from his hospital bed.
As the Victoria premier continues the long road to recovery, speculation has quickly shifted as to how long he can continue to play the state s puppet master.