Victoria's Health Minister claims she found out private security was being used for the state's hotel quarantine program in late May — more than a month after she stood next to the Minister for Jobs when he confirmed private security guards would be patrolling hotels.
Victoria's Health Minister Jenny Mikakos appears to have misled the inquiry into the botched hotel quarantine program after claiming the first she learnt of the involvement of private security guards was in May.A briefing note to caucus from the Premier's Office on April 8 stated private security would monitor hotel quarantine
Ms Mikakos was asked by the inquiry yesterday: "When were you first aware of a decision to engage private security contractors as part of the HQP [hotel quarantine program]?" Her evidence has left some Labor MPs furious, who say they were briefed in April about the use of private security guards.A briefing note to caucus from the Premier's Office on April 8 states: "People returning to Australia will be fed and transported at no cost to them, while police, private security and health authorities will be able to more efficiently monitor their compliance with quarantine requirements.
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.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos was not briefed on crucial welfare concernsPolice Minister LisanevilleMP has joined a growing group of people who claim ignorance about who decided to put private security in charge of guarding guests in hotel quarantine. coronavirus COVID19 COVID19Vic COVID19Victoria
Read more »
Hotel quarantine inquiry LIVE updates: Victorian MP Jenny Mikakos to front hearingsWATCH LIVE: Victorian Health Minister JennyMikakos is testifying at the hotel quarantine inquiry. Premier DanielAndrewsMP will provide a coronavirus update at 10.30am.
Read more »
Premier set to take the stand as Health Minister Jenny Mikakos denies responsibilityMs Mikakos told the inquiry on Thursday that she had not been involved in the hotel program’s set-up and did not seek updates even though her department was the control agency.
Read more »
Ministers, and Victorians, in the dark on hotel quarantine decisionPolice Minister Lisa Neville and Jobs Minister Martin Pakula were not consulted about Victoria's hotel quarantine. Nor did they seek to find out.
Read more »
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos wanted army in, private security out of hotelsIn a testy exchange at HotelInquiryVIC, JennyMikakos said it was not until COVID19 cases among staff and security guards at the Rydges on Swanston that she turned her mind to the role security guards were playing in hotels. coronavirus COVID19Vic
Read more »
Andrews to take the hot seat at hotel quarantine inquiry todayToday will be the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry's last chance to get answers on the bungled program as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews logs in for questioning.
Read more »