An email exchange has revealed that the decision to put a curfew on Melbourne during the COVID-19 lockdowns was decided by then-premier Dan Andrews' cabinet, without health advice.

Melbourne

The government of Victoria implemented a curfew during the COVID-19 pandemic that was not based on public health advice, according to explosive new documents. The decision to impose a curfew from 8pm to 5am, affecting more than 5 million residents, was reportedly made by a cabinet rather than deriving from the Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton. The evidence came to light following a Freedom of Information request that took over four years of legal contention to fulfill. 

The documents indicate an email exchange revealing that the idea of a curfew was a cabinet decision rather than one recommended based on health grounds. This decision led to the longest lockdowns and significant business disruptions in Victoria as compared to other jurisdictions in Australia. Despite the contentious nature of the decision, the Department of Health asserts that all public health orders, including the curfew, had to be authorized by the Chief Health Officer or designated officers.

Of the eight cabinet members involved in making this decision, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen is the only remaining parliamentarian. While the opposition believes it is too late for justification, there are calls for an apology from Allen. Despite some research suggesting that these strict measures helped curb the pandemic's second wave, other experts contend that the curfews lacked solid evidence for their effectiveness, primarily serving to enforce other restrictions.



Documents reveal COVID curfew wasn't based on health advice

carefree and living without a COVID curfew. It was ridiculous and it shouldn't have happened. I don't think it was completely necessary, but I mean, it served its purpose. Explosive documents reveal the decision to keep more than 5 million indoors from 8pm to 5am in 2020 wasn't based on health advice. They made that decision on the whim of, it seems, one man and his seven assistants. A Freedom of Information request granted after a four and a half year legal battle shows an email exchange written to the Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, after the announcement. The idea of a curfew has not arisen from public health advice but is a decision taken by Cabinet. Victoria had the most damage to businesses, the longest lockdowns of any jurisdiction and the most deaths. But the Department of Health maintains every public health order, including this one, had to be made by the Chief Health Officer or an authorised officer who had been authorised by them. Of the eight crisis cabinet ministers behind this decision in 2020, the Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allen, is the only remaining parliamentarian. The opposition says while it's too late for a justification, she should apologise. Sending her regrets today when contacted by Ten News First. Some research shows the tough restrictions helped bring an end to the second wave but others say it wasn't necessary. We knew at the time that there wasn't good evidence that curfews were an essential part of restrictions that should be put in place. It always appeared to be something that was more about the policing of the restrictions that were in place. Restrictions that Victorians and all Australians are happy to see consigned to history. Ashley Pollack for Ten News First.

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