NSW deputy premier John Barilaro breaks ranks on Covid-19 curfews

John Barilaro saying curfews in parts of Sydney have done little to stem rising case numbers and impose great harm upon the wellbeing of communities.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro. Picture: Getty Images

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has broken ranks with Gladys Berejiklian over her imposition of a curfew across western and southwestern Sydney, saying they have done little to stem rising case numbers and impose great harm upon the wellbeing of communities.

Mr Barilaro dismissed the idea of imposing a nightly curfew on the central west city of Dubbo and other regional communities as a means of addressing growing Covid-19 infections.

Across 12 local government areas of concern in Greater Sydney, residents are forbidden to leave their homes between 9pm and 5am, although authorised workers are excepted, as are those involved in emergencies or medical care.

The curfew has been in place since August 23 and government sources have told The Australian they are likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future. Ms ­Berejiklian had previously ruled out the imposition of a curfew but relented as case numbers rose and rule-breaking increased across some suburbs.

During a regional media briefing on Monday Mr Barilaro said the curfews “don’t work” and were imposed on residents because of increased pressure coming from media outlets.

“I am going to say that and I can get away with saying that,” Mr Barilaro said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian provides the daily update on Covid-19. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“So the idea of a curfew is one that was put in place in an area that was so out of control and you would question its ability to work, and if you look at the numbers since we put the curfew in nothing has occurred, nothing has changed, numbers continue to rise.

“So no, I won’t impose curfews on the people of Dubbo when I know it does nothing more than hurt the wellbeing of that community.”

Mr Barilaro was contacted for comment. Treasurer Dominic Perrottet declined to comment.

NSW Labor and some members of the Berejiklian government have been calling on the government to abolish the curfews, while others have slammed the decision to impose them in the first place, arguing the decision was made without clear written advice or supporting data.

Upon announcing the measure, NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant conceded there was “mixed evidence” indicating whether t curfews were an effective way of reducing mobility.

NSW Labor seized on Mr Barilaro’s remarks, saying the curfews should be abolished immediately.

“The Premier needs to listen to common sense, the NSW opposition, the health advice, the millions in western Sydney and her own deputy and remove these curfews today,” NSW Opposition leader Chris Minns said.

 

At the time that the curfews were introduced, Ms Berejiklian said evidence on their effectiveness remained “mixed”.

“But I do not want us to have a look back and say we did not try,” she said.

Dr Chant said she supported the curfew “because we want to do everything we can” to stop the virus.

“The evidence around curfew is mixed but I also think that it sends a significant signal about the crisis we are facing,” she said.

“I personally don’t want to leave any stone unturned.”

The Premier has come under sustained attack from some mayors in the affected areas who have argued that restrictions such as curfews amount to discrimination against their communities.

Cumberland City Council mayor Steve Christou denounced the curfews and other restrictions as “the harshest restrictions ever imposed in Australia.”