Daniel Andrews tight-lipped on Avalon Airport quarantine plan

Daniel Andrews has flagged Avalon Airport as a potential site for a quarantine facility but won’t reveal if he has met with Lindsay Fox over the plans.

Daniel Andrews has refused to say whether he’s met with Lindsay Fox over plans to build a quarantine facility at his Avalon Airport.

The Premier has flagged the site as a potential option to largely replace the state’s hotel quarantine program, with talks between the government and airport operators under way.

But quizzed in parliament today about whether he had met with Mr Fox, or any of his family, to discuss the plan, Mr Andrews remained tight-lipped.

“I meet with many Victorians,” Mr Andrew said, accusing the opposition of conspiracy theories.

Sources say Mr Andrews and Mr Fox have a strong relationship both in business and personally.

Trucking magnate Lindsay Fox has publicly supported the Premier. Picture: AAP

In the midst of Victoria’s extended lockdown last year the billionaire trucking magnate publicly supported the premier.

“Daniel Andrews has had the balls to carry out all the things that he said he was going to do,” he said.

“Now anyone else would have cracked and weakened a long time ago.

“I’m not Labor, I’m not Liberal, I’m Australian. And in the interests of our whole community I can’t believe that people are slinging and slamming somebody who is trying to do the right thing and has got the courage of his convictions.”

Mr Andrews said this week Victoria could move away from inner-city hotel quarantine with talks under way about moving the program to a remote centre.

The proposal aligns with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s plan to use mining camps as quarantine centres instead of hotels.

Mr Andrews said talks were under way, including with the operators of Avalon Airport.

Avalon chief executive Justin Giddings said the proposal would allow international arrivals to live in cabins near the terminal, and health officials could visit them outdoors.

Cooking, cleaning and all other activities could be done on site for hundreds of arrivals, so risks would be reduced.

Daniel Andrews has flagged Avalon Airport as a potential option to largely replace the state’s hotel quarantine program. Picture: Alison Wynd

“It’s like you are quarantining at home but it gives you the outdoor advantage,” Mr Giddings said.

But Mr Andrews said no decision had been made.

“At some sites with very large amounts of space and an international airport just next door, that’s obviously got some real strength,” he said.

“That could work well for, say, charter flights, where the Australian government can direct those flights to land wherever they choose.”

But Mr Andrews ruled out the possibility of a home quarantine option, one of the recommendations of the hotel quarantine inquiry.

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