Lily D’Ambrosio confirms Andrews government won’t scrap any Covid fines for Victorians

Melbourne University is among the first tertiary institutions to call for students to wear masks inside lecture theatres and campus buildings.

The Andrews government says it won’t scrap Covid-related fines for Victorians. Picture: David Geraghty

The Andrews government is not considering withdrawing all Covid-related fines, despite a parliamentary committee determining that pandemic rules were confusing and sometimes contradictory.

It comes as Melbourne University was among the first tertiary institutions to call for students to wear masks inside lecture theatres and campus buildings.

The updated Covid Plan “strongly recommended” uni students to cover up warning it was a high risk environment. Students were also urged to not attend campus if they had any symptoms, even if they were returning negative test results.

Senior minister Lily D’Ambrosio defended the Andrews government’s tough pandemic measures.

The pandemic oversight committee, made up of parliamentarians from across the political divide, criticised how general quarantine, testing and isolation orders, as well as hospital visitation rules, were presented to the public.

“Using complex language risks pandemic orders being misunderstood, increasing the likelihood of noncompliance,” the committee said.

Such information should have been presented adding in a way that could be understood by a year 7 student, it said.

Lily D’Ambrosio has confirmed the government has no plans to waive any of the fines handed to Victorians. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascu

Two documents from the committee, ­released on Friday, laid bare the “significant” contribution the restrictions made to ­Victoria’s mental health crisis.

It also found that hospitals were not briefed on restriction changes and instead learnt of them through the media, causing mass confusion and frustration.

But Ms D’Ambrosio confirmed the government had no plans to waive any of the fines handed to Victorians.

“I’m not aware that that is a matter under considerations,” she said.

“We’re very clear that the actions that have been taken over the period of the pandemic ultimately were there to serve the interests of every Victorian in terms of maintaining their health, safety and well-being.

“Certainly we make no apologies for taking what were very very strong actions that we’re needed during an unprecedented pandemic.”

Asked if the committee’s findings set a precedent that could see offenders taking legal action, Ms D’Ambrosio said: “These are matters that are private matters”.

“If there are people that want to seek legal advice, they’ll do that,” she added.