Susie O’Brien: It’s not a ‘comeback’ if most of us are left behind
As Victorians watch wild Freedom Day scenes in NSW, our Premier must now prove he actually wants to open the state, not just a few big-ticket events.
Susie O'Brien
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What is the point of having 10,000 people at the race that stops the nation if the rest of the city is closed for business?
Victorians do not want single big-ticket events headlining our recovery if the rest of the community is still lagging behind.
It’s not a “comeback” event if we haven’t all come back.
While I welcome the return of crowds to Flemington or the Myer Music Bowl, or anywhere else, our day-to-day freedoms must keep pace with these big one-off events.
On Melbourne Cup Day on November 2, when 10,000 people will be allowed at Flemington, every other venue is only able to have 30 people sitting outside.
Most children will only be back at school two days a week and we won’t even be able to have our parents over for dinner under the 70 per cent double vaccination rules.
How is it that we can’t play community sport, but can mingle with 10,000 strangers at the races?
It shows how delusional the Andrews government’s priorities are and is symptomatic of the cruel and unfair rules that have governed everyone for months on end.
By the end of Melbourne Cup week, when we’re tipped to reach
80 per cent double vaccinations, the rest of us will still only be able to have 10 people inside and 150 people in restaurants. And yet thousands will be allowed at Oaks Day and Stakes Day.
I am excited about the return of racing, but the government can’t look after this industry and leave schoolchildren and other business owners behind.
If the Premier wants to show the state is open after lockdown, then he should actually open the state, not just allow a couple of big events.
With wild Freedom Day scenes across the border, Victorians have every right to feel doubly disillusioned at this point.
NSW people are now 70 per cent double-vaccinated and can now have a parma in a pub, have dinner parties, go to the gym, get their hair done, get a tattoo and visit their relatives in aged care homes.
What can we do here? Drink alcohol in a park with our masks pulled down. Even our 70 per cent freedoms are a pale imitation of those north of the border.
On Monday Health Minister Martin Foley argued the Melbourne Cup deal was made because of Covid-safe plans, pointing out that recent virus transmission has occurred in homes. He’s conveniently ignoring that the spread of Covid at places such as the MCG, construction sites and rallies has spurred on the current wave.
Racing Minister Martin Pakula said he received a call from a minister interstate who told him “for God’s sake, get the Cup happening”. But why is he listening to an interstate minister rather than the voters from his own state who are depressed and desperate for their lives to return?
Victoria Racing Club chairman Neil Wilson said the race was a “significant driver of economic activity in the state”.
This is true, but so are the thousands of small, medium and large businesses that would give anything for such an opportunity to open up fully.
It’s the same for the October 30 concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. I think the idea is marvellous, but I can’t see how it can be justified when businesses are still shut and children aren’t back at school.
The big end of town is crowing about these events being “so very Melbourne”.
Well, sending your kids to school is very Melbourne. So is grabbing lunch in a laneway cafe, eating a bowl of pasta in a restaurant, popping into the local shops or seeing a band in a pub.
There’s no point telling the world that Melbourne is back in business when most businesses are so restricted they may as well be closed.
And why isn’t the same chance given to Remembrance Day services on November 11? If there’s any event that deserves special treatment, surely it’s veterans and their families.
Some have suggested these major events – which are only open to double-vaccinated people – are a way to encourage people to get vaccinated.
However, we don’t need any more encouragement – in fact, there are signs our state may meet vaccination milestones early.
If this is the case, then the government must ensure it immediately opens up schools
and businesses.
Looking after the schoolchildren, the High St shops, the veterans and the local pubs is just as important as one-off big-ticket events.
Melbourne Cup crowds and music concerts are important steps forward. But the Premier must ensure no one is left behind
Susie O’Brien is a Herald Sun columnist
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