Premier Puts Ideology Before Care
Ideology and an irrational objection to rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 have put the lives of Victoria’s most vulnerable at risk.
Until an announcement this afternoon, the Premier, Daniel Andrews, his Health Minister Martin Foley and the Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton, have failed to introduce the testing in the state’s hospitals.
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said it should have always been part of the arsenal to protect patients, carers and health staff.
“For me this is personal,” Mrs McArthur said.
“My week-old grandson is being treated by some of Australia’s finest healthcare professionals in one of this nation’s most highly regarded, world renowned hospitals - the Royal Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“Their expert care is beyond par.
“Yet these critically ill children and their carers have been put at risk for lack of the simple, practical rapid antigen testing mechanism to add to the raft of safety protocols already being employed,” she told the Victorian Parliament today.
The Victorian Government has had months to roll out the testing – particularly in healthcare environments.
“If this government is genuinely interested in reducing the virus spread, rapid antigen testing should be used at every opportunity.
“The rest of the world has used this technology since it became available as a vital tool against the spread of the virus.
“The Victorian Coalition has been calling for the use of rapid antigen testing for months.
“Why is this Government so behind the eight-ball?
“It is shameful that it has taken a scare to the very core of the most vulnerable in this state, to make the Premier grudgingly do something.
“This Premier always talks about caring for our frontline workers, but this issue reported today demonstrates they are always just talk.
“His failure to provide Rapid Antigen Testing, has forced them to be frontline targets for the virus.
“I couldn’t be more disgusted.”
13 October 2021
