The inquiry set up to examine hotel quarantine errors that could have led to "every case" of coronavirus in Victoria's second wave has identified a number of issues relevant to its investigation.
Key points:
- Opening statements have been made on day one of the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry
- The inquiry is assessing information from members of the public
- Initial responses have unveiled matters relevant to the inquiry, including training of security guards
The Victorian Government called the inquiry last month after genomic sequencing linked recent outbreaks in the state back to breaches in the state-run system in late May and early June.
Since then, authorities have not publicly answered questions about the program's operation, saying it would be inappropriate to comment with an inquiry coming up.
But at the first public hearing today, senior counsel assisting the inquiry, Tony Neal QC, said a number of matters have already emerged in initial responses.
These include the implications of the speed at which the hotel quarantine program was established, decision-making surrounding how to implement the program in its original form, and coordination between various government agencies.
Mr Neal also said a number of matters related to contracts had emerged, including the suitability of service providers engaged by the government and the oversight of "suitably qualified people" over contractual arrangements.
The training and provision of security guards was also among the list of matters to have emerged so far.
Inquiry expects no less than 'full cooperation'
No evidence was heard by the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry today, but the inquiry's head Jennifer Coate and Mr Neal both made opening statements.
"Information already available to the inquiry suggests the possibility of a link between many of the cases of coronavirus identified in the Victorian community in the past few weeks and persons who were quarantined under the hotel quarantine program," Mr Neal said.
"Comments made by the Chief Health Officer [Brett Sutton] to the media have suggested that it may be that every case of COVID-19 in Victoria in recent weeks could be sourced to the hotel quarantine program."
Mr Neal said 10 state government agencies and 14 private entities have been identified as "of interest" to the inquiry, including eight security companies and six hotels in Melbourne.
"The board has already written to place them on notice that their decisions and conduct fall within the terms of reference, and has asked for an initial response," Mr Neal said.
Public witness examinations are scheduled to start on August 6 and the inquiry is due to report by September 25.
Mr Neal said anticipated witnesses include medical experts, relevant decision makers and government officials, hotel operators, private service providers, employees in the system, and people who stayed in quarantine.
Ms Coate said the inquiry had a "keen understanding of the importance of this inquiry" to Victorians.
"I expect no less than full, frank, and timely cooperation from all relevant government departments, entities, and persons, to enable me to do my job for the people of Victoria," she said.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA3LTIwL3ZpY3RvcmlhLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWhvdGVsLXF1YXJhbnRpbmUtaW5xdWlyeS1kYXktMS1pbi1tZWxib3VybmUvMTI0NzE5MTbSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI0NzE5MTY?oc=5
2020-07-20 02:36:00Z
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