MEMBER for Northern Victoria Tim Quilty said the State Government’s “draconian” coronavirus restrictions were designed to keep Melbourne cases in check.
And he said regional Victoria was suffering the social and economic pain despite being largely free of COVID-19 cases.
Mildura has zero confirmed active cases and has had no new cases for over a month, along with other northern Victoria regions such as Swan Hill, which has remained on three cases for more than a month.
“Mr Andrews has long been waging a War on the Regions, with the Northern Victoria electorate bearing many of the consequences of this Melbourne-centric campaign,” Mr Quilty said.
“While we in regional Victoria have been largely free of COVID-19 cases, we have been feeling the social and economic pain of measures which are designed to keep Melbourne cases in check.
“You can dress it up to look like you’re acting in our best interests, Mr Andrews, but regional Victorians are way smarter than you seem to think.”
Mr Quilty has been a consistent critic of the Andrews Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, accusing the Premier of “over-reach” and using the situation to introduce draconian restrictions on personal freedoms.
And he also accused the Premier of “stage managing” the announcement of a return to school for Victorian students on Tuesday morning.
Mr Andrews announced on Tuesday that the youngest and oldest students – prep to grade two and years 11 and 12 – would return to school on Tuesday May 26, while years three to 10 will return on Tuesday June 9.
“We had all been waiting over the weekend like excited kids at Christmas, all looking forward to an important announcement on Monday about a return to school, but there was nothing,” Mr Quilty said.
“Lo and behold, the news stories and headlines were duly written yesterday, and very early this morning we get another Andrews stage show specifically about schools.
“This is a cheap stunt designed to ensure Mr Andrews spins two days of coverage out of one day’s worth of news, and I for one am very underwhelmed.
“Our children’s education is of paramount importance, and yet Mr Andrews kept us hanging on for another day before allowing us to find out when they can go back to school.
“I have to hand it to him, he sure knows how to manipulate the media and the public.”
