Victoria should have had firmer restrictions earlier, says Solomon Lew
Retail billionaire Solomon Lew says Victoria should have introduced tougher restrictions earlier, slamming the Andrews government.
Billionaire retailer Solomon Lew has savaged the Victorian government for not acting more decisively in combating the coronavirus pandemic, saying the government could have prevented unnecessary illness and deaths in the community.
In a blistering attack on Premier Daniel Andrews, Mr Lew, who owns a multi-billion dollar fashion empire under his Premier Investments company, said there would be significant economic consequences to the harsh restrictions announced on Monday.
The restrictions will bring mass retail closures across the state.
“The situation in Victoria has escalated and public health needs to be protected above all else. While this is the right step, acting sooner could have prevented a lot of illness and unnecessary deaths,” Mr Lew said in a statement this afternoon.
“In my view the Andrews Government should have moved faster to tighten restrictions. Delaying has only placed further pressure on the rest of the country and the national economy.
“We expect significant consequences from the inaction, in particular, vast amounts of cost in federal government stimulus that is going to be required to support the Victorian community through this challenging period.”
Premier Investments company owns chains such as Portmans, Dotti, Just Jeans, Peter Alexander and Smiggle. Mr Lew’s family also owns a large portfolio of fashion businesses.
Mr Lew said not withstanding Mr Andrews’ request weeks ago for people to stay home, shopping centres in Victoria had remained open. “While Just Group had elected to close all of its stores in the Melbourne metropolitan area in the interests of protecting our employees and our customers, landlords should have followed suit in prioritising the health and safety of their shoppers ahead of collecting rent,” he said.
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