Daniel Andrews facing criticism after Victorian Covid border rules slammed by Ombudsman

The Premier is facing criticism after a ruling found state border rules between July and September to be “unjust” and in several cases, “inhumane”.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been criticised after an investigation into harsh coronavirus rules that locked out thousands of desperate residents when the border slammed shut found they were unjust and inhumane.

Of more than 33,000 applications received by the Department of Health between July 9 and September 14, just eight per cent were granted, the Victorian Ombudsman found.

People refused exemptions to enter the state included those desperate to farewell loved ones at funerals, attend vital medical appointments, care for sick family members, return home to care for animals, or to start jobs.

🚨 BORDER PERMIT REPORT RELEASED

The Victorian Ombudsman has found the narrow exercise of discretion under the border exemption scheme resulted in unjust outcomes, and recommended the Government publicly acknowledge the distress caused.

Full Report: https://t.co/REl20LjEzapic.twitter.com/CWQFsmMsGe

— Victorian Ombudsman (@VicOmbudsman) December 6, 2021

Several also faced homelessness as a result of not being able to get home to Victoria.

Ombudsman Deborah Glass said while discretion to approve applications was available to the border exemptions team, it was exercised far too narrowly, with most applications never even reaching a decision-maker.

Barely anyone out of more than 33,000 applicants were allowed into Victoria between July and September. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Simon Dallinger

“People’s anguish when they spoke to us was palpable,” Ms Glass said in a statement released Tuesday.

“While we did not review all decisions and I do not suggest that all were unfair, the overwhelming majority of applications did not get to a decision-maker at all, and the guidance did not change even as case numbers in Victoria grew and the risks evolved.

“The consequences of that were vast, and unfair, for many thousands of people stuck across the border.”

Victorian Opposition MP David Davis criticised Mr Andrews for the “bungling” and “incompetent” border rules.

“It’s a damning indictment on Andrews and his government,” Mr Davis told the ABC.

“This should never be allowed to happen again.”

#Labor bungling & #incompetence on July 2021 border rules were a debacle. ⁦@VicOmbudsman⁩ damaging report shows #Botched ⁦@DanielAndrewsMP implementation⁩, hopeless admin. Cruel. #Victorians stranded interstate by #Labor - yet #Andrews calls it a ‘triumph’ #springstpic.twitter.com/9F4RqgElBy

— David Davis MP (@DavidDavisMLC) December 7, 2021

Ms Glass said the investigation uncovered some of the most questionable decisions she had seen in more than seven years as the Ombudsman.

She argued residents returning home accepted they would need to do so under strict conditions, however most simply didn’t get that opportunity and “too many found themselves bereft”.

“The effect of a complex and constrained bureaucracy meant some outcomes were downright unjust, even inhumane. People felt caught up in a bureaucratic nightmare,” she said.

Rules that kept out thousands of Victorians have been labelled ‘unjust’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Simon Dallinger

“It appeared to me that the department put significant resources into keeping people out rather than helping them find safe ways to get home.”

The 20-strong border exemptions team in July was scaled up dramatically to 285 by early September, however workers were expected to process 50 applications an hour, or about one every 30 seconds.

That was despite each application requiring extensive evidence, including statutory declarations, proof of residence or ownership of animals, letters from doctors, and statements of relationship to people who were dying.

Changes to the traffic light system in July also left thousands stranded with a hard border being enforced with NSW making it virtually impossible for people to get into Victoria.

More than 300 complaints were received at the time through the Ombudsman’s investigation, including from people paying double rent while not working and caravanning pensioners with no internet access asked for documents they did not have.

Small Biz Minister @JaalaPulford says she hasn’t read the @VicOmbudsman report (but has read her statement).. but is defending the State Government after being urged by Deborah Glass to acknowledge unjust outcomes from the border exemption scheme. @10NewsFirstMelb#springstpic.twitter.com/vpYdW1pz7Z

— Simon Love (@SimoLove) December 7, 2021

A farmer was afraid she would have to kill her animals because she couldn’t get home to care for them was among the complaints, as well as a woman who cared for her intellectually disabled sister asked why she could not put her sister in an aged care home.

Others told the investigation of the impact the border directions had on their mental health and wellbeing.

The Ombudsman has called on the Victorian government to improve its policies and guidance for future schemes, and consider making disaster payments available to people who were not allowed to travel home.

The investigation into decisions made under the Victorian Border Crossing Permit Directions was tabled in parliament on Tuesday.

pic.twitter.com/ZgxAU3dv7N

— Victorian Ombudsman (@VicOmbudsman) December 7, 2021

Originally published as Daniel Andrews facing criticism after Victorian Covid border rules slammed by Ombudsman