Victorian Ombudsman launches investigation into treatment of lockdown tower residents

An investigation has been launched into whether residents locked inside Melbourne high-rise towers were treated appropriately. It will focus on four points.

An investigation has been launched into the treatment of public housing tenants in a high-rise tower at North Melbourne after complaints about a lack of fresh air, exercise and everyday needs.

Almost 500 residents of the Alfred Street tower were sent into immediate lockdown and forced to stay inside their apartments at the beginning of July following an outbreak of COVID-19 linked to the address.

The harsh measures have been applied to a number of public housing towers in Melbourne but nowhere else.

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A resident looks out the window at the public housing towers in North Melbourne on July 9. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass today announced an investigation has begun following concerns from residents and their advocates about “the broader issue of how to protect people’s human rights when they are detained in lockdown”.

“I recognise this is an unprecedented global health emergency and governments must act swiftly to protect human lives,” Ms Glass said in a statement.

“People on the front line are doing an extraordinary job to respond to this crisis and help keep us safe. However, there are lessons to be learnt in how governments can do that in a way that protects people’s human rights, including access to fresh air, exercise and medical supplies,” she said.

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The investigation will focus on four key considerations. They include the conditions residents are being kept in, the nature of communication with authorities, whether restrictions have been applied to people’s access to fresh air, exercise, medical care and medical supplies, and whether the Department of Health and Human Services acted with proper consideration to the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.

A girl looks out the window of a public housing tower in North Melbourne under strict lockdown. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

Other concerns include that the police presence on site was “overwhelming” and that multicultural groups were not provided with culturally appropriate food.

“My aim is that together we can learn from what has occurred over the last fortnight, and help put in place improvements for the North Melbourne residents,” Ms Glass said.

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“If similar emergency situations occur in other public housing estates, we can use the leanings gained through this investigation to get better outcomes for anyone else who may be affected.”

More than 50 complaints have been lodged with the Ombudsman from individuals and advocacy groups and two investigators are on site this week to monitor the handling of the lockdown.