News

small business Health | June 10, 2021

Brothels before birthdays in Labor’s inconsistent restrictions

Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has called on the state Labor Government to release the data and modelling underpinning its latest restrictions in regional Victoria.

Ms Kealy said that given there had been no cases or exposure sites in regional Victoria for weeks, regional communities should return to COVID normal.

“The latest version of Labor’s restrictions allows 50 people to visit a brothel but only 20 to gather for a child’s birthday party in an outdoor park,” she said.

“Meanwhile, the heavy restrictions on community sport limiting spectators at open air football and netball games will leave many of our country clubs struggling to pay their bills.

“Despite this, Labor’s Sports Minister has told the media that he has ‘absolute confidence’ that the AFL Grand Final will be played at the MCG.

“These inconsistencies are bizarre, particularly when regional Victoria has not had a single case in this outbreak.”

Ms Kealy also queried what has happened to the government’s roadmap, which was developed last year to provide the community with certainty on when restrictions would be applied.

“The government now says restrictions are a ‘day-by-day proposition’. What has changed?” she said.

“It makes no sense, and the government’s flip-flopping is undermining public confidence.”

Ms Kealy said similar inconsistencies arose last week when dance studios were forced to close but creative arts studios were allowed to remain open.

It’s not unreasonable to raise questions about the government’s decision-making when Labor has flatly refused to release the data and modelling that it says underpin the restrictions,” she said.

“When businesses across our region have suffered immeasurably and the mental health of Victorians – particularly children – has been put on the line, the government needs to be more transparent about the basis for its decisions.”