Confusion continues over who suggested Victoria’s controversial curfew measure

Whose idea was Victoria’s curfew? The government is refusing to say, but both the chief health officer and the police chief have denied it was their idea. It comes as Daniel Andrews revealed the controversial measure may continue into October.

Victoria’s curfew could be extended beyond the end of the month, as the government refuses to say who suggested the controversial measure.

Despite calls for it to be scrapped, Premier Daniel Andrews has defended the government’s decision to impose the 8pm-5am lock in and even flagged the law could be extended past September 28.

He had earlier this week claimed it limited movement and helped police enforce lockdown restrictions.

But Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Thursday said police did not request and were not consulted on the curfew — and were only told about it hours before it was introduced.

“I’ve made inquiries to determine if anyone in the organisation was briefed on the matter and as best I can work out our policy area was provided a copy of the proposed guidelines for information a couple of hours before they were signed off,” he said.

He added: “We support the directions and enforce the directions of the Chief Health Officer and use discretion where appropriate.

“It’s not unreasonable for us to accept that they are the directions of the CHO because they are, they’re legally enforceable.

“On that basis, we make the presumption that the Chief Health Officer has endorsed them.”

Mr Patton said it was up to public health authorities to decide whether the restrictions was still needed.

“It can be a fragile confidence the community has… We have to have the public’s confidence to be able to do our job.”

The revelation came after Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton on Tuesday said the curfew was not his idea and had not been recommended as public health advice.

When asked whose idea it was to impose the rule, Premier Dan Andrews said he could not pinpoint the exact person.

“Decisions are made by groups of people,” he said.

“Anyone who’s displeased with that or doesn’t think that’s a proportionate measure, well that’s a decision that I’ve made.

“I’ll be accountable for that.”

Mr Andrews defended the curfew as crucial to the broader goal of restricting movement around the city.

“If the curfew was removed tonight, the only change would be that you could potentially go for a jog at 11pm,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it is effective.

“There are very few lawful reasons that you can leave your home at any hour of the day.

“It simply means that it is much easier for Victoria Police to make that assessment about whether someone should, or should not be, out of their home.”

Mr Andrews said the curfew would only be lifted when officials battling coronavirus infections believed it was safe to do so.

“The plan talks about the 28th, it may go beyond that,” he said.

“We will look at the data, we’ll look at where we’re at, we’ll look at how close we are to achieving the very low case numbers that are essential to opening the place up.

“It’s no more complex than that

“The curfew will be on for no longer than it needs to be on.”

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the curfew should immediately be reviewed and could be an infringement on human rights.

“They (the Victorian government) should continue to review those restrictions which are not based on medical advice,” he said.

“Victoria has a strong human rights charter.

“That Victorian human rights charter sets out under the relevant section that freedom of movement is a fundamental right in Victoria and so I am sure that would only ever, ever be impinged upon if they have the strongest reasons.

“It is important to review these.

“We review all of the federal restrictions, which have been limited and few in nature and number, on a frequent basis.”

Mr Hunt also hit back at claims he and Prime Minister Scott Morrison had restricted Australians for any reason than on “written health advice”.

“I’m not aware of any decisions that the Commonwealth has taken to restrict freedoms during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic without health advice,” he said.

MORE NEWS

POLICE WERE NOT CONSULTED ON CURFEW RULES

OPINION: NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR MELBOURNE’S NONSENSICAL CURFEW