Advertisement
Throughout his response to the pandemic, Premier Daniel Andrews has maintained a simple, compelling mantra; whenever his government faces a difficult decision, it follows the public health advice.
Ombudsman Deborah Glassâs investigation into the housing commission tower lockdown gives the lie to this notion.
The public housing tower at 33 Alfred Street in North Melbourne was the centre of the COVID outbreak.
Credit:Joe Armao
When Mr Andrews announced at 4.08pm on July 4 that residents of nine public housing towers across inner Melbourne would be confined to their homes immediately, he said he was following the public health advice and to do otherwise would put the lives of every Victorian at risk.
A premier barely able to contain his anger. A chief health officer with contradictory impulses. A health system overwhelmed. We examine how the COVID-19 tide was turned.