State government plan for dedicated quarantine facility in Mickleham
A state government minister has hit back at Peter Dutton’s claims that Victoria’s proposed quarantine hub is all “smoke and mirrors”.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
State government minister Lily D’Ambrosio has hit back at claims that Victoria’s desired quarantine hub at Mickleham is all “smoke and mirrors”.
Ms D’Ambrosio shifted blame to the Commonwealth, when pressed by reporters on Friday morning about whether the state government had appropriately consulted with all levels of government before making Thursday’s announcement.
It follows commentary out of Canberra from Peter Dutton who said the facility shouldn’t proceed.
“I think what’s important here is that quarantine has, for many decades and continues to be, the responsibility of the Commonwealth government. The reality is the Commonwealth government is responsible for quarantine,” Ms D’Ambrosio fired back.
“It is no surprise that the state government has been investigating and exploring options for standalone quarantine facilities, and so it should not come as a surprise to anyone else, let alone the Commonwealth Government, who’s actually responsible for this facility.”
The Minister said the state government would “keep engaging” with the commonwealth.
“We believe our proposal is one that is very merited and government actually ought to step up and take up the responsibility,” she said.
The criticism comes after Hume City Council, the municipality which the proposed site would be located in, revealed they weren’t aware of the bold plan.
Hume City Council was one of the hardest hit local government areas during the deadly second wave.
“Hume City Council has requested an urgent meeting with the Victorian government about its proposal to establish a COVID quarantine facility in Mickleham,” a statement issued on Thursday evening read.
“Council has not been consulted on the proposal prior to today’s announcement and seeks clarification about the ongoing management of the facility.
“Our community is concerned about what impact a centre of this size and type will have on local resident’s health and safety and the amenity of the area.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said there would be “ample opportunities” to discuss the “serious matters” that needed to be addressed around the project.
“They (Hume City Council) are not being excluded from this, indeed there will be conversations that will be had with the local council,” she said.
When asked whether the state government “just didn’t consult with local councils” when discussing potential quarantine sites, Ms D’Ambrosio said: “That’s not the case at all”.
“We are living in times that we’ve not seen in any of our living memory, and for those reasons and more, the state government has been really clear that we are looking for a location for a quarantine facility.
“A number of sites have been considered including this one that has now been announced by the acting Premier.”
Despite the flawed announcement, Ms D’Ambrosio maintained the project wasn’t “dead in the water”.
“Look, I think what’s important here is that the Commonwealth cannot shirk its responsibilities,” she said.
“They can’t simply wish away, or with some careless words, hope away that responsibility.
“That has been said by all jurisdictions. All jurisdictions have reminded the Commonwealth of their responsibilities in these areas. What the state is put forward is a very doable, important proposal that has been made public.”
DUTTON SLAPS DOWN BID FOR FUNDING
A state government’s bid for the Commonwealth to help fund a $700 quarantine facility has been slapped down by Defence Minister Peter Dutton.
Mr Dutton described the move as “political smoke and mirrors”, in a sign the federal government may not support the 3000-bed proposal in Mickleham.
“This is a $15 million generous donation from the Victorian government to do the planning for a $700 million bill that they want the Commonwealth to pick up,” he said.
He reiterated the federal government would continue to support the states with their hotel quarantine programs which he described “are working very well”.
“They’re able to be scaled up; it gives us the ability to bring people into quarantine, to send them back home and get on with their lives, and there have been a couple of exceptions, one in Victoria, one recent in WA,” he said on this morning’s Today Show.
“As we’re seeing in New South Wales where 3000 people a week are coming into hotel quarantine, as we’ve seen around the rest of the country, hotels are working very well.”
In response to the state government’s proposed quarantine facility, Mr Dutton said: “I’ve seen some political smoke and mirrors over my time and I think this is right at the top of the list.”
While conceding there have been “small blips” in the hotel quarantine rollout, he said “we’ve now had half a million people come back from overseas for different reasons and it’s working.
“We’re supporting the states they’re doing a good job, contact tracing is working.”
Meanwhile, when asked whether the Australian Government would close a loophole whereby travellers from India can fly into Australia despite a travel ban, he said: “Yes we will. We’ve been clear about not wanting people to come through third countries.
“I really feel for people in Australia who have family or friends back in India in a very difficult situation,” he said.
“We’ve got people who are in very desperate situations. There are compassionate reasons and obviously DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) will consider all of that.”
ALFRESCO BOOST HERE TO STAY
Alfresco dining in the inner city is set to be extended amid figures showing that the current program backed 100 new jobs and provided an extra 18,000 restaurant seats.
City of Melbourne councillors will consider issuing subsidised permits from July 1 for outdoor dining on footpaths, parklets and laneways.
A council report said an economic evaluation of the current program, introduced last October, revealed that every dollar spent had generated $2.68 in benefit for the local economy.
At least 75 per cent of venues across the municipality got more than $1642 in extra revenue per week from their outdoor dining areas, and those in the CBD generated an additional $2150 a week.
Nearly 1600 outdoor dining permits were issued across the municipality between October and April, including 933 special permits for extended al fresco use.
More than 200 parklets were installed and 25 laneways were closed on weekends to create more space for outdoor dining and activation.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said outdoor dining had helped bring back the buzz to Melbourne, keeping businesses open in the hard-hit hospitality sector.
“The program has been a boost for local businesses and a boost for Melbourne’s renowned foodie culture,” she said.
“From tucking into a porterhouse or casually enjoying a glass of pinot noir, Melburnians have embraced dining and drinking in our parklets.”
City activation portfolio lead councillor Roshena Campbell said the key hospitality industry was devastated by pandemic shutdown.
“The extended outdoor dining program created an extra 18,000 seats for restaurants, cafes and bars to attract more customers and increase their sales,” she said.
“81 per cent of businesses have said their outdoor dining parklets significantly helped them reopen.”
The council spent $7.68 million on the COVID-19 program in partnership with the Victorian Government as part of the $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund.
The proposal before councillors includes the reintroduction of outdoor cafe permit fees, which were waived in 2020-21 in response to the pandemic, along with a new staggered fee-structure for extended outdoor dining areas.
If approved, from July 1 the parklets fee would subsidised by 75 per cent in year one, and 50 per cent in year two to support businesses through gradual recovery
- John Masanauskas
MICKLEHAM SITE PLANNED FOR QUARANTINE HUB
The government predicted that quarantine could form part of travel into Victoria for at least three years as it unveiled its plan for the $700m quarantine facility.
Acting Premier James Merlino revealed a 100ha Mickleham site next to a federal pet quarantine facility as the preferred location, but said the project would only go ahead if the federal government agreed to cover the cost of building the 3000-bed facility.
If the proposal was rejected by the commonwealth Mr Merlino said the government would look to Lindsay Fox’s Avalon Airport, which was chosen as a backup site in a move that would still require federal government approval.
The Herald Sun understands the federal government is not willing to fully fund Victoria’s proposed facility, but is impressed with the detail of the plan and will consider contributing to the cost of construction if it stacks up.
The proposal was sent to the federal government only shortly before Mr Merlino’s press conference on Thursday.
The location of the site, just 24km from Melbourne international airport and a major hospital, is considered a major positive. But Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien described the announcement as a “hoax”.
“They want the federal government to build a quarantine facility on federal land with federal money. That’s not a state government announcement, that’s just getting out with a begging bowl,” he said.
Some neighbours of the site said they were blindsided by the announcement.
Chris Razos said he wasn’t “too happy” especially as there was no warning the site had been chosen. “We’ll be the first ones to go into lockdown if it gets out,” he said. “It’s going to drop property value like there’s no tomorrow.”
A federal government spokesman said the commonwealth and the states had worked together to “keep Australians safe from COVID-19”.
“It’s important we continue to work together in partnership to protect all Australians,” he said. “The Victorian government has submitted a highly detailed proposal for a possible quarantine facility in Melbourne. Our officials will now review that information and undertake the relevant assessments.”
Mr Merlino said the first 500 beds could be ready by December with the project finished by 2023. It would allow 1100 international travellers to arrive in Melbourne weekly.
Mr Merlino said the government would spend $15m to get the Mickleham site construction ready before the federal government decision.
“The best time to start an alternative quarantine was 12 months ago, the next best time is now,” he said. “Ultimately this project requires the approval of the commonwealth.
“I would expect the commonwealth will examine the proposal that has been sent through, and they’ll give us a pretty early indication whether Donnybrook Road is appropriate from the commonwealth’s perspective — if not, then we’ll transition to an alternative.
“But we’re very firmly putting the case, we think that’s the best location.”
A business case assessed three options, including leasing structures for a temporary facility, but it was determined a site of purpose-built structures, while the most expensive option, would provide the best infection prevention and control.
The business case said COVID-19 quarantine was “expected to continue in some form at least over the next two to three years”.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra called on the construction to be fast tracked.
Sutton dragged into legal fight on cancelled Robbie Williams gig
A war of words has broken out about former Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton’s involvement in the decision to pull the pin on Robbie Williams’ Grand Prix concert.
Melbourne lockdown protesters sue over cops’ ‘unjustified violence’
Protesters are taking legal action after a judge ruled Victoria Police used “unlawful” and “unjustified violence” the day of their arrests during the Covid-19 pandemic.