Plenty of blame to go around

The Achilles’ heel of Victoria’s Labor Government has been exposed. Like many Labor politicians, Premier Daniel Andrews has no adult experience in the “do-or-die” challenges of private enterprise. This is seen, tragically, in how he, and his Health Minister, Jenny Mikakos, have responded to the escalating crisis in Victoria.

Together, they completely stuffed up the safe management of Melbourne’s quarantine hotels. There is no apology, no acceptance of responsibility. Try that with a customer in private enterprise.

When Melbourne’s public housing towers are suddenly locked down, the Government provided notices in English only, for migrant residents, many of them unable to read English properly, or at all.

After the lockdown, the Premier told the tower residents: “We’re proud of you.” Really? A day later, the Premier changed tack, saying: “This is not about punishment, it’s about protection.” As if any migrants are likely to appreciate that.

But wait, there’s more. On cue, Andrews asks the Federal Government to bail Victoria out of the catastrophic mess his Government has created.

I’d laugh if I didn’t feel so sad and angry. The bitter fruit of the Government’s failure is that all Victorians must suffer, all over again. Who knows how much widespread, long-term trauma this will cause.

Michael Kirkpatrick, Point Cook, Vic

While you might have some valid criticism of the Victorian Government’s handling of COVID-19, yesterday’s front-page headline “Dan’s Covid Relapse” is going too far. Dan Andrews is not personally responsible for the spread of the virus. A similar relapse could have happened, and may still happen, in any of the other states.

Dietrich Georg, St Ives, NSW

The federal Department of Health website reports that the median age of COVID-19 cases is 43 (nationally the median age is 38), and that the median age of death is 80 (78 nationally).

This data confirms the view that the vast majority of people do not face a significant risk of death from COVID-19. Those who are at risk are older people and those with underlying health conditions.

The rational response to these facts is to take all reasonable steps to protect those cohorts. Instead, our political class has smashed the economy and caused a lifetime of relative disadvantage for our children. The role of political leaders is not to accept blindly the one-dimensional advice of public health bureaucrats, none of whom faces any real consequence for being wrong.

The members of the much-vaunted National Cabinet are paid to make decisions that are informed by all aspects of policy — that includes cost-benefit analyses that are informed by multiple perspectives, including the longer term economic and social costs of decisions such as lockdowns and plunging society into unsustainable debt. Sometimes those decisions will be a “least worst” option — and that’s tough — but to date no member of the National Cabinet has demonstrated the slightest ability to do anything but hide behind “the medical advice”.

Stephen Sasse, Glebe, NSW

The front page of The Australian yesterday had a picture of Dan Andrews washing his hands to protect himself from the Coronavirus. It reminded me of the biblical account of the trial of Jesus before his crucifixion. The Premier has “washed his hands” of all responsibility for the debacle of the state’s hotel quarantining. He has passed the matter to an inquiry to avoid answering any questions on the subject.

He is in effect blaming all Victorians for his mess because we didn’t all follow the rules on social distancing and family gatherings. He hopes that we will all have forgotten about this by the time the next state election occurs in 2022.

Ken Scott, Mount Eliza, Vic

COVID-19 is an opportunity for all to support one another constructively rather than be forever seeking and relishing the failings of others (“Missteps on the path to a second lockdown”, 8/7).

The Andrews Government has no doubt made significant mistakes, but it’s paying a massive price and, for all our sakes, needs support far more than it needs petty and destructive denigration.

We’re so adept at pointing accusing fingers, but what benefit flows from casting these destructive stones?

John Quilty, Port Kennedy, WA