Former Labor Cabinet Minister Stephen Conroy says Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton “has been a debacle” and should do the decent thing and resign.
The Coate Inquiry held an extraordinary session at 2pm on Tuesday in which it discussed the secret emails from Brett Sutton which were omitted from evidence by the DHHS. The two email chains were not submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services pertaining to the “chain of command” of hotel quarantine, and when Professor Sutton was made aware of private security.
Mr Conroy told Sky News, Professor Sutton should explain why he “didn’t bother to read the emails he’s CC’d on” and why he “didn’t bother to read” the information provided by his own team. “And when he’s finished writing that he should say one line at the bottom which writes, ‘and I now tender my resignation’,” he said. “This bloke has just been a debacle. You can see now why wiser heads did not put him in charge.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Secret Brett Sutton email chain may delay inquiry report | Sky News AustraliaThe Chair of the hotel quarantine inquiry Jennifer Coate has told the inquiry new developments including the previously missing email chain from professor Brett Sutton may “unsettle the due date” for her report.\n\nJustice Coate said although the email chain from Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has been recovered, there is still “further material being collected” including a sworn affidavit as to why it was missing. \n\n“After receipt of this further material that is being sought and only at that point will I be in a position to determine what if anything further needs to occur,” she said.\n\n“Most unfortunately of course these new developments may unsettle the due date for the report.\n\n“As soon as I am in receipt of that outstanding material, if the report date is affected and needs to be extended I will advise the premier and seek any necessary extension.”\n\nIt comes as Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has been asked to submit an affidavit as the hotel quarantine inquiry seeks an explanation as to why key emails weren't tendered.\n\nCounsel assisting the inquiry Tony Neal QC said, 'those assisting you are in the process of seeking a response in the form of an affidavit from Professor Sutton, two specific questions posed by the board and focusing on those emails'.\n\n'According to the statutory requirements, that response would be due some seven days after it is served; it's expected that will occur shortly,' he said.
Read more »
Brett Sutton asked to provide new statement to hotel quarantine inquiry over undisclosed emailsVictoria's chief health officer has been asked to provide an affidavit to the hotel quarantine inquiry, after emails show he may have known the program was using private security earlier than he has suggested.
Read more »
Brett Sutton in the firing line as hotel quarantine inquiry recalledExactly what Brett Sutton knew about the use of private security guards in Victoria’s bungled hotel quarantine program, and when he knew it, will be the subject of an extraordinary meeting this afternoon.
Read more »
Sutton and Health Department split over public health role in hotelsInformation buried in witness statements contradicts VictorianCHO Brett Sutton's claim that he was not involved in the planning of Victoria's hotel quarantine program. | EXCLUSIVE
Read more »
Sutton, Andrews and Mikakos could be forced to attend extraordinary inquiry hearing | Sky News AustraliaThe inquiry into Victoria's failed hotel quarantine inquiry will today hold an extraordinary hearing as the board tries to unravel conflicting evidence.\n\nThe hearing comes after the evidence-gathering stage and before the final report is handed down in just over two weeks.\n\nChief Health Officer Brett Sutton has come under increasing pressure to produce a coherent narrative after he testified before the inquiry saying he had nothing to do with the hotel quarantine scheme and specifically was not aware private security guards were being used until July.\n\nEmails from the department of health indicate he was aware potentially as early as May and is likely to be hauled back before the inquiry to provide further evidence.\n\nIt is a criminal offence to deliberately mislead the inquiry.\n\nFormer Health Minister Jenny Mikakos and Premier Daniel Andrews could also be called back by the inquiry board. \n
Read more »
Secret Brett Sutton email chain may delay inquiry report | Sky News AustraliaThe Chair of the hotel quarantine inquiry Jennifer Coate has told the inquiry new developments including the previously missing email chain from professor Brett Sutton may “unsettle the due date” for her report.\n\nJustice Coate said although the email chain from Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has been recovered, there is still “further material being collected” including a sworn affidavit as to why it was missing. \n\n“After receipt of this further material that is being sought and only at that point will I be in a position to determine what if anything further needs to occur,” she said.\n\n“Most unfortunately of course these new developments may unsettle the due date for the report.\n\n“As soon as I am in receipt of that outstanding material, if the report date is affected and needs to be extended I will advise the premier and seek any necessary extension.”\n\nIt comes as Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has been asked to submit an affidavit as the hotel quarantine inquiry seeks an explanation as to why key emails weren't tendered.\n\nCounsel assisting the inquiry Tony Neal QC said, 'those assisting you are in the process of seeking a response in the form of an affidavit from Professor Sutton, two specific questions posed by the board and focusing on those emails'.\n\n'According to the statutory requirements, that response would be due some seven days after it is served; it's expected that will occur shortly,' he said.
Read more »