Thanks Premier Andrews for making this Melbourne Cup one we won’t be able to enjoy
The Melbourne Cup is usually a day of celebration but thanks to the Premier’s mishandling of the pandemic, Sophie Elsworth argues why it will be forgotten.
Opinion
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FOR the nation’s sporting capital watching the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday without any crowds at Flemington will feel strange.
Out great city, renowned for being the sporting centre of the nation, will have all eyes on it from across the country and around the globe but without hordes of spectators in sight.
Victoria remains the basket case of the nation and gets a gold star for its dismal handling of the COVID — 19 pandemic.
While many of Premier Daniel Andrews’ loyal fan base argue he’s done a brilliant job, I would hate to know what they deem a terrible job.
On Monday Chairman Dan finally revealed five million Melburnians would be released from home detention and the #istandwithdan crew went into overdrive, praising their hero.
The Premier said he’d “go a little higher up the shelf” with an expensive stiff drink after Victoria recorded zero COVID-19 cases and zero deaths.
He held out a single doughnut, resembling the zero cases recorded, and posted it on his social media sites.
Well Premier, there’s many people who didn’t go higher up the shelf and scoff down a doughnut.
Victorians have not only sadly lost 800 precious lives – most due to the State Government’s incompetence involving the hotel quarantine disaster – the city has lost its soul and many businesses and families have been left bleeding.
Billions of dollars has been racked up in debt and thousands of jobs have been lost, this state will take years to recover.
Just a few weeks ago about 870km up the Hume Highway in Sydney 11,000 racegoers flocked trackside to The Everest race, all frocked up for the signature event at Royal Randwick.
And last weekend about 30,000 footy fans streamed into the Gabba in Brisbane to watch the Tigers triumph over the Cats.
No masks required at either events, nor any rings of steel to get through.
Despite an easing of COVID-19 restrictions last week Dan’s ever-changing dictatorial rule book isn’t finished with just yet.
It appears sometime yet the Premier will be continuing to lecture Victorians on what they can and cannot do, treating like naughty schoolchildren who have be constantly told off and warned if they don’t do the right thing they will be punished.
He’s said masks would likely stay in place until the end of the year and into 2021.
That’ll be fun in the summer months in 40 degree heat, all gagged up.
So while many of us will be watching the famous horse race from our homes or for those lucky enough to get to the pub, I hope you back a winner.
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Ditch the ring of steel Dan, please
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