Thursday, 24 March 2022

COVID-19

Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:22): My question is for the Premier in the other place. Can the Premier confirm that QR codes were reintroduced without any health advice to do so? On 25 February the New South Wales Premier, Dominic Perrottet, delivered his first State of the State in front of a packed room in Sydney, hosted by CEDA. Premier Perrottet was asked a question regarding collaborating with the other state premiers, such as Mr Andrews. In his response he went to say that it was important that New South Wales and Victoria had similar settings to avoid media criticism. He gave the example of reintroducing QR settings, saying that there was no need for them to be reintroduced as contact tracing was no longer being carried out.

Ms Symes: There wasn’t a question.

Dr CUMMING: The question was at the start. Would you like me to repeat the question? Can the Premier confirm that QR codes were reintroduced without any health advice to do so?

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:23): I will pass Dr Cumming’s question on to the Premier for a response.

Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:23): I look forward to the Premier’s response. Can he confirm that the decision to reintroduce rapid antigen testing to schools at the beginning of this year was not supported by health advice? Premier Perrottet went on to speak about the return of children to classrooms, another instance of the two premiers making a joint decision. He said that there was a concern that:

… the media would rush to find the scariest epidemiologist who was out there saying every child across New South Wales would die.

Both premiers decided to buy millions of RATs and issue them to schools and childcare centres. He went on to say that ‘health completely disagreed with this approach’ but it was done to instil confidence, minimise the negative media coverage, appease the teachers and appease the parents.

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:24): Whilst I am happy—well, that is one description—to put your question to the Premier, it involves more likely the health minister and the education minister. But I will bundle it up and see what comes back for you.