Andrews, ministers to be grilled over COVID crisis
Premier Daniel Andrews will be the first witness called before a parliamentary inquiry into his government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
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Daniel Andrews and his most senior ministers are set to be grilled over the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis before a parliamentary committee.
The Premier will be the first witness called when the second sitting of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee resumes its COVID-19 Inquiry hearings next month.
Mr Andrews appeared at the hearing in May when the state’s total number of coronavirus cases was about one sixth of the current total.
At that time 18 Victorians had died compared to the current death toll of 77.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos, chief health officer Brett Sutton and his deputy Annaliese van Diemen are also listed to be called when the committee resumes on August 11.
Other witnesses expected to appear during the week of sittings include Treasurer Tim Pallas and Jobs Minister Martin Pakula whose department has been embroiled in the hotel quarantine fiasco.
Sources say the quarantine program will be a significant focus of the committee, as will the government’s handling of soaring daily increases of COVID-19, including lockdown measures.
The hearing is scheduled for the week after the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry is set to call its first witnesses.
It is not yet known whether the Premier and his ministers will be called to front that inquiry.
Contractors and government departments have been put on notice and asked to submit responses to the inquiry.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria Police, Emergency Management Victoria and Ambulance Victoria have all been identified as central to the probe.
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