Josh Frydenberg demands answers on bungled Victorian hotel quarantine system
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has put more pressure on Daniel Andrews to explain the bungled hotel quarantine program, saying Victorians deserve to know the truth given the “deadly consequences” of the program.
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Victorians deserve answers about the “serious failures” in the state’s hotel quarantine program, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says.
As he prepares to enter two weeks self-isolation in Canberra so he can attend the next sitting of Parliament, Mr Frydenberg criticised the Victorian Government yesterday, putting pressure on Daniel Andrews to explain the bungled program.
Breaches in hotel quarantine triggered the second wave of coronavirus infections in Victoria which has seen Melbourne placed under curfew and hundreds of thousands of people forced to stay in their homes until mid-September.
Mr Frydenberg, who represents the Melbourne seat of Kooyong, said Victorians were owed an explanation given the “deadly consequences” of the program.
“Victorians know the ‘what’, but they don’t know the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ when it comes to the quarantine failures,” he said.
“There needs to be accountability, there needs to be an explanation.”
“Victorians deserve that, Victorians want that, Victorians need that at this difficult time. They’re being asked to make major sacrifices right now.”
His comments come as Victoria recorded 466 new cases of coronavirus and 12 deaths yesterday, including six connected to aged care.
Mr Frydenberg also called on states and territories governments to pour more money into economic support measures.
“We as a Federal Government will continue to provide the support that is necessary to Victorians and to all Australians,” he said.
“But this is a joint effort … and the states do need to do more.”
Labor’s Chris Bowen accused the Government of engaging in a “public slanging match” with Premiers.
Mr Frydenberg and 11 other Victorian MPs including Greg Hunt, Dan Tehan, Kim Carr and Julian Hill have been granted approval to self-isolate in the ACT for the next fortnight in order to attend parliament later this month.