Lockdown decisions in Victoria are being made not for medical, but for political reasons.
How do we know? Because they have admitted it, this morning.
In case you missed it, the Dan Andrews government told gobsmacked Victorians yesterday that they were going to allow 1250 people to attend at the Cox Plate in Melbourne over the weekend.
According to the relevant Minister, Martin Pakula, the races were going to be open “out of respect” for the occasion:
The decision to allow some owners on course for the 100th Cox Plate was motivated only by respect for the occasion & a desire to mark a small step on the path to reopening. It was a mistake, given that other restrictions remain in place, and we’ve heard the community feedback 1/2
— Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) October 20, 2020
But wait, said Victoria, where is the respect for the deceased and their families, wanting to attend funerals in Victoria?
Where was the respect for fathers, on Father’s Day?
Where is the respect for Christians who can’t attend church services?
Where is the respect for humble Melburnians who are banned from having friends and family over to watch the grand final in their own homes this weekend?
But yes, off you go to the races?
People – no, voters – were furious.
And now the decision has been reversed, and you’d only do that on medical advice, wouldn’t you?
Because that’s what everyone’s being asked to accept, that all this lockdown misery is necessary on medical grounds, right?
Saving lives and all that?
Well, no, it’s actually about saving skins, because Pakula says the decision was scrapped after the government “heard community feedback”.
Tonight I’ve spoken to the Moonee Valley Racing Club and the decision’s been reversed. Owners won’t return to the race track until we reach the next stage of the easing of restrictions. I apologise for any upset that has been caused 2/2
— Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) October 20, 2020
Meaning, they got nervous, politically, when they saw the reaction.
Derryn Hinch very often has his finger on the pulse. Here’s his take:
Not 'some owners'. Hundreds. It was ignorant and insensitive. Victorians have sacrificed. Not comforted sick parents. Not gone to funerals. Cancelled weddings. Businesses closed. And you exempted a bloody horse race.
— Derryn Hinch (@HumanHeadline) October 20, 2020
And when you follow that thread, you call see all the people who want to know why the Covid restrictions don’t ever seem to apply to the rich and well-connected.
It’s as dodgy as all get out, but nothing stinks like politics quite as much as this decision.
It’s clearly about the anger in the community. They’ve said so themselves.
The shutdown, and all the misery and despair it is causing, is all about saving Dan Andrews and his government.
How far will they go? Well, it seems like they’re preparing to sacrifice even Brett Sutton.
Watch his position carefully over the next few days.
A valiant, or perhaps we should say cowardly, effort was made to throw him under a bus late last week, by leaking an email that showed that he was at a meeting that mentioned hotel quarantine, early than he’s previously admitted to in the inquiry.
He’s going to be hauled back to the inquiry now, to explain himself.
Never mind that he didn’t actually make the decision. Unless he moves fast, he’s going to be made to carry the can for the 800 dead in Victoria.
They’re running over him again this morning, with more leaked emails.
Anyone but Dan must take the blame.
But that’s a separate matter, for another day.
Today, we can see more clearly than we could ever see just how much nonsense they’re being fed in Victoria.
It’s okay to have a crowd at the Cox Plate, but you can’t have friends over to watch the AFL grand final?
It’s okay to have crowds at the Cox Plate, but you can’t go to church on Sunday?
It’s okay to have crowds at the Cox Plate, but a cafe can’t serve avocado on toast to a person sitting outside?
Then it’s not okay because the community wouldn’t cop it?
It never made medical sense. Health decisions are being influenced by politics, as the government scrambles to save not the long-suffering residents of Victoria, but itself.
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