Hypocrisy + Zoom = Disgrace
While the man who makes up Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions can ignore 25 km travel bans and fly to an awards night in Canberra, local Councils have been told their meetings must be virtual.
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur said it is disgraceful hypocrisy.
“Here we go again – one rule for Daniel Andrews and his team – and another for the rest of the state,” Mrs McArthur said.
“How the Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, thinks this passes any test of fairness is beyond every Victorian whom he has locked up and locked down.
“What is the science - the dramatic and dire medical advice – that should stop councils from holding their meetings?
“Despite no coronavirus in regional or rural Victoria, Councils across the state are being forced to sit behind computer screens and stage meetings via zoom.
She said Councils have proven they are very able to conduct virus-safe gatherings – safely distanced, sanitised and masked.
“This is yet another unnecessary – bizarre - edict from the Andrews Government. It almost rivals the no-golf rule.
The Local Government ban defies logic when the State Parliament – and indeed the Federal Parliament - are able to assemble safely.
“The banning of face-to-face local council meetings fails the commonsense test. It fails every test you want to throw at it.
“If people can go to brothels, and Dr Sutton can go to awards nights in Canberra, then virus-free parts of Victoria - almost the whole state - can attend meetings.
“This Government has shown an abhorrent disregard for democracy during the past 18 months especially.
“This decision is another attack on that and should be over-turned immediately.
“If they can snap borders shut within hours – they can open council meetings up immediately.”
18 June 2021