‘Ruined lives’: Tina Arena blasts McGowan, Andrews in wild Covid rant

The Aussie pop star has let rip on two Australian premiers claiming their handling of Covid-19 was a “massive, massive f**k up” and a “social experiment”.

Renowned Australian pop icon Tina Arena has labelled two former Australian premiers a “piece of work” over some of Australia’s harshest Covid-19 restrictions.

The West Australianinterviewed the star about an upcoming gig at the Perth Concert Hall when she unleased on former premier Mark McGowan’s Covid-19 response, which she claimed left Perth “pretty much locked away”.

“Your former premier is a piece of work, like our former premier (Dan Andrews) is a piece of work,” she lamented. “We can only hope that we never see them again.”

Tina Arena criticised former Australian premiers Mark McGowan and Dan Andrews over their Covid-19 restrictions. Picture: Jordan Munns

Expressing strong dissatisfaction with their border controls and lockdown measures, the celebrity asserted, “they’ll never be held accountable for the poor, poor decisions that were made. The record is really reflective of that time.”

She said her new songs were full of “heavy questioning” and “experiences that came about during that time. Personal and otherwise.

“Not only with myself but just watching the social fibre of life break down in the way in which it did.”

She said her latest music reflected that period and that despite her angst, the pandemic provided “wonderful material” for her to sing about.

Arena accused Mr McGowan and Mr Andrews of them of being ‘pieces of work’ and making poor decisions that ruined lives. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Western Australia reopened its borders in March 2022 after two years of hard border closures. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“Having a teenager in the house, unable to go to school. I can’t tell you what that was like as a parent,” she said.

“Just on that alone. It’s an absolute crime actually. What happened was criminal.”

The 55-year-old Chains singer criticised the claims of being successful against Covid-19 and opposed the idea of “locking people up”.

“You didn’t do well at all … It’s very arrogant to say that and massively disrespectful to pat themselves on the back,” she said. “They have nothing to pat themselves on the back for. Not in my eyes anyway.

“They ruined more lives than saved lives. Ultimately the lives and ruining of it is going to be more and more seen. It’s seen all the time now. Families fall apart. People not being able to visit, or bury their loved ones.

“It was … absolutely outrageous. It was a massive, massive f**k up and Australia was a massive social experiment for me.

“That’s what I truly believe. I believe that Australia was an experiment.”

Mr McGowan faced criticism for his strict border policies and mandatory vaccination drive. Picture: Colin Murty

Mr McGowan was unapologetic in his Covid-19 response, which included nation’s strictest border policies preventing people from entering for months on end, harsh gathering limits and a relentless mandatory vaccination drive.

Within the state, Mr McGowan enjoyed emphatic popularity in his second term throughout the pandemic.

The approach faced criticism, with some calling it heavy-handed. This prompted then-deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce to describe WA as a “kind of hermit kingdom.”

Criticism was even harsher when Mr McGowan postponed his initial border opening date.

He allegedly faced numerous threats from individuals who opposed his strict stance on border controls and mandatory vaccinations. Additionally, he was involved in a legal battle with mining magnate Clive Palmer that resulted in a $2 million expense for WA taxpayers.

Mr Andrews oversaw six lockdowns during his time as premier. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The dispute revolved around a conflict of opinions regarding WA’s border controls and one of Mr Palmer’s mining projects.

The premier cited the stress of the pandemic’s political landscape as a significant factor in his decision to step down.

“Dealing with all of that pressure for three years drained me,” he expressed.

Mr Andrews, who stepped down late last month and oversaw six lockdowns totalling 262 days during his time as premier through the pandemic, was equally unapologetic.

“This is not a popularity contest; it’s a pandemic, and we’ve got to make good, logical decisions,” he previously said of his strict approach.

Originally published as ‘Ruined lives’: Tina Arena blasts McGowan, Andrews in wild Covid rant