Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos refuses to elaborate on apologetic Twitter thread
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has refused to elaborate on a series of apologetic tweets she posted over the weekend.
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Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has refused to elaborate on tweets she posted over the weekend, admitting “mistakes were made” in the State Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Mikakos tweeted the following thread on Saturday night after she copped a barrage of criticism early in the week over the Government’s handling of the botched hotel quarantine scheme and subsequent inquiry.
Since that fateful day on 25 January, when we had our first-ever case, I’ve worked every day to keep everyone safe. I have put every ounce of energy I’ve had into that effort. If it wasn’t enough, then I’m deeply sorry.
— Jenny Mikakos MP #StayHomeSaveLives (@JennyMikakos) August 8, 2020
I’ve always striven to be upfront and measured about the challenges facing us.
— Jenny Mikakos MP #StayHomeSaveLives (@JennyMikakos) August 8, 2020
So it pains me to see the incorrect assumption made that somehow I can single-handedly report on the actions of countless individuals and many agencies involved in our pandemic response.
Let the independent judge do her job, let the cards fall where they may. I believe there is nothing to fear in seeking the truth. The truth will set you free.
— Jenny Mikakos MP #StayHomeSaveLives (@JennyMikakos) August 8, 2020
But Ms Mikakos would not explain the tweets any further at Monday morning’s press conference.
“The tweets speak for themselves. I won’t be a commentator on myself,” she said.
“We’re at this critical juncture where we’ve got stage four restrictions in Melbourne and stage three restrictions across the rest of Victoria. Victorians are making huge sacrifices, there needs to be a common focus on fighting this virus and that’s the message I’ve tried to convey from day one.”
Premier Daniel Andrews and Ms Mikakos copped a barrage of hard-hitting questions about hotel quarantine last week, with the Premier admitting he would “own errors”.
“Mistakes have been made and I will own those errors, “ he said
“In terms of who made decisions, how decisions were made, how they worked, whether enough safeguards were put in place is for (hotel quarantine inquiry chair) Judge Coate to examine.”
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It comes after an emergency briefing when Judge Jennifer Coate made it very clear public commentary about hotel quarantine was allowed.
“Under law, unlike a court, there is no general restriction or prohibition which would prevent a person from commenting publicly or answering questions to which they know the answers on matters which are the 10 subjects of examination by this board of inquiry,” she said.
Ms Mikakos then dodged questions from her own government colleagues at parliament.
“I will take the member’s question on notice. I will provide her with a written answer in accordance with the standing orders,” she said multiple times to various MPs.
Victoria recorded 322 new infections on Monday, but tragically it marked the state’s deadliest 24 hours, with 19 people succumbing to the wildly infectious disease.
Fourteen of the 19 people were linked to the state’s plagued aged-care system.
Originally published as Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos refuses to elaborate on apologetic Twitter thread