'We don't see a need for boots on the ground.' Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp decided Australian Defence Force personnel were not needed in Victoria's quarantine hotels, inquiry hears.
Victoria's top public servant was offered Australia Defence Force support for the state's hotel quarantine program by the federal government, contradicting repeated claims made by Premier Daniel Andrews.
Mr Gaetjens said the New South Wales government had received help with its quarantine hotels from the ADF."The Commonwealth would be willing to assist Victoria in a similar way if you wanted to reconsider your model," Mr Gaetjens wrote.Prime Minister Scott Morrison also wrote to Mr Andrews three times in July offering the support of the ADF, according to the submission.
He also said: "I suggest, at this stage, we can manage this ... we don't see a need for boots on the ground, so to speak." Mr Crisp also recovered text messages on Tuesday in which he said he was told by then-police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton that private security guards should be the first option for quarantine hotels, not police.Loading
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