Wednesday, 18 March 2020

Ministers statements: COVID-19

Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (11:06): I rise to update the house on the outcomes of the second meeting of the national cabinet held last night. Yesterday I was very clear with all Victorians that arrangements would change, and they could change potentially quite rapidly. That is the nature of this virus, that is the nature of the public health advice that we are getting, and it is very important that we act with a sense of urgency because the challenge that we face is dynamic and very significant. It is unprecedented—unprecedented in our lifetimes.

Following last night’s meeting the Prime Minister on behalf of all first ministers has made announcements in relation to new steps to flatten the curve. Flattening the curve is critically important. If we do not achieve that outcome, our health system will be simply overwhelmed and those who are critically ill because of COVID-19 will suffer—indeed all those Victorians who every minute of every day need that critical care capacity for non-COVID-19-related health issues will suffer as well. As a result of that cabinet meeting, effective from 5.00 pm today we are making new orders. There will be revised directions under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 that will mean that all non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people will be banned. That will occur from 5.00 pm today. There will be exemptions, and there will be further details that will be announced as part of our giving effect to the decision that that unity cabinet—that national cabinet—made last night.

This is an appropriate and proportionate response. To not take these steps will mean more people will die. To not take these steps would be to not follow the advice of health experts. That is not something I will do, that is not something that first ministers are prepared to do, and again I want to thank the Prime Minister and congratulate him for his clear and bipartisan leadership on these issues. He can count on the support of the Victorian government all the way through this, because it is only together that we will get through this unprecedented crisis.