Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[Pushka]

Which proves the point that privatising essential services is way more expensive in the long run.

The original company sub-contracted the work to another company, which then sub-contracted it to another company. Each company took their share as the actual work went to the cheapest bidder.

Basically people were forced to act as sub-contractors and work stupidly long hours across multiple sites to try and get a basic income.

When we sign a contract with the Government, or with any corporate body, we are required to stipulate with whom that organisation will actually be liaising with and working with the client to maximise outcomes if we are using contractors. We cannot do a substitute. I would have thought that would be the general requirement with Govt contracts.

 

[blackcat20]

By not providing appropriate training and selecting people without the nous or skills? It only takes one!

Even people with proper training do stupid things if they think they can get away with it. It could quite easily have happened in the other states.

If those family gatherings had maintained proper social distancing etc, we might not be in the situation we are now. It should have started and ended with a couple of Covid security guards and nothing more.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

. The virus is dynamite politically, Jacinda Adern has copped a lot of flack, but seems to have had success with NZ, which has boosted her credentials.

NZ and Jacinda Ardern is a different kettle of fish.

NZ PM has a lot of credits with her handling of Christchurch and White Island.

Also with the mishandling of some COVID issue eg early release of some quarantine, her Government took a lot of flack, but fortunately for her, her Health Minister resigned some time later to effectively take responsibility.

NZ have an election in September with a new Opposition Leader to face.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Even people with proper training do stupid things if they think they can get away with it. It could quite easily have happened in the other states.

If those family gatherings had maintained proper social distancing etc, we might not be in the situation we are now. It should have started and ended with a couple of Covid security guards and nothing more.

I think there is too much focus on families....Vic has now come out and said 80% is from workplaces.

 

[Pushka]

Even people with proper training do stupid things if they think they can get away with it. It could quite easily have happened in the other states.

If those family gatherings had maintained proper social distancing etc, we might not be in the situation we are now. It should have started and ended with a couple of Covid security guards and nothing more.

Yes. If only. There were also too many mixed messages sent out around May in every state and significant world events. Bit of a cluster really.

 

[p--and--t]

When we sign a contract with the Government, or with any corporate body, we are required to stipulate with whom that organisation will actually be liaising with and working with the client to maximise outcomes if we are using contractors. We cannot do a substitute. I would have thought that would be the general requirement with Govt contracts.

Regardless of a contract, regardless of clauses, regardless of a subcontract, regardless of Police, regardless of ADF, if a total numpty from any of those workforces decides to sow his seeds because he saw a hot chick then there is not much the Premier of the state can do to stop it unless he was on site on the same shift and saw what was happening.

 

[drron]

I don't think Dan is on his own in getting criticised by the Opposition I have seen it in Tasmania,South Australia,Western Australia,NSW and QLD.I have also seen all oppositions say they stand with the Government.Often both stances at the same time.

 

[DC3]

When we sign a contract with the Government, or with any corporate body, we are required to stipulate with whom that organisation will actually be liaising with and working with the client to maximise outcomes if we are using contractors. We cannot do a substitute. I would have thought that would be the general requirement with Govt contracts.

Yes, but there are contracts, and then there are contracts.

With the Government, the lowest tenderer will always win. Costs will be cut for the benefit of the privateer. Not for the public benefit.

 

[drron]

Regardless of a contract, regardless of clauses, regardless of a subcontract, regardless of Police, regardless of ADF, if a total numpty from any of those workforces decides to sow his seeds because he saw a hot chick then there is not much the Premier of the state can do to stop it unless he was on site on the same shift and saw what was happening.

The Victorian Dept of Health and the Committee in charge of the Emergency were both told of problems in the Quarantine hotels on the first day with follow up complaints the second day as well as has already been posted in this thread.Long before a security guard did his thing.

 

[Hvr]

And by the way, unlike other states, Daniel Andrews refused initially to allow defence force staff ('members') to come to Victoria to among other things keep on eye on those quarantining at hotels.

Police officers and command at loggerheads over push for ADF help at housing towers

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton says Victoria Police “have more than adequate resources” to patrol Melbourne’s public housing towers, but the police union says members are stretched and need help as the hard-line lockdown takes its toll on resources. Police Association boss Wayne Gatt told Neil...

www.3aw.com.au

And here is the interview from 06 July 2020 with the VicPol Chief Commissioner where he says he did not previously want ADF personnel on the streets. He acknowledged they were working in the back office/behind the scenes but reiterated he did not want them on the streets.

Now as the top law enforcement officer in Victoria it is likely that the Premier consulted with him about what resources he required. That's what leaders do, they have experts in their field give them advice and act on it.

The rejection of ADF personnel early in the pandemic wasn't done on a whim or pigheadedness as suggested by the Liberal leader for opposing everything.

Look for the 13.33 minute interview at the bottom of the page.

 

[p--and--t]

The Victorian Dept of Health and the Committee in charge of the Emergency were both told of problems in the Quarantine hotels on the first day with follow up complaints the second day as well as has already been posted in this thread.Long before a security guard did his thing.

Oh, you know who and the date he did his thing?

 

[TheRealTMA]

I don't think Dan is on his own in getting criticised by the Opposition I have seen it in Tasmania,South Australia,Western Australia,NSW and QLD.I have also seen all oppositions say they stand with the Government.Often both stances at the same time.

It’s difficult for the Opposition to be relevant in these times, but INMO they don’t do themselves any favours by running the red herring, incompetence, scare tactic defence. Better to be positive, supportive of the medical scientific advice then take up the cudgels later. The federal politician attacks on Queensland border closures are a case in point. Just rediculous in the face of the current realities. Better to base your attacks on facts rather than hyperbole.

 

[jakeseven7]

Wow chill out people... no one on here has any more information or insight into what and how it happened than what is publicly available information... so how about we let the independent expert judge appointed get to the bottom of it

Mistakes happen in pandemics and more are sure to come...

 

[Pushka]

Yes, but there are contracts, and then there are contracts.

With the Government, the lowest tenderer will always win. Costs will be cut for the benefit of the privateer. Not for the public benefit.

Cant agree. Its the one who meets the brief. Then cost factor comes into play. And if that isnt that case then ask the Government why?

Better to be positive, supportive of the medical scientific advice then take up the cudgels later.

But even the science keeps changing - viz the use of masks.

 

[drron]

It’s difficult for the Opposition to be relevant in these times, but INMO they don’t do themselves any favours by running the red herring, incompetence, scare tactic defence. Better to be positive, supportive of the medical scientific advice then take up the cudgels later. The federal politician attacks on Queensland border closures are a case in point. Just rediculous in the face of the current realities. Better to base your attacks on facts rather than hyperbole.

It was nothing to do with the Opposition.here once again is the Age article.

Leaked emails reveal government knew of problems on day one of hotel quarantine

Correspondence between government departments shows top government bureaucrats were concerned about the role of security guards in the program, requesting police be called in to replace them.

www.theage.com.au

The first email raising concerns was sent by a senior bureaucrat at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions within 24 hours of the March 28 launch of the program.
It was addressed to several senior officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which was the leading agency for the day-to-day management of hotel quarantine, according to an Emergency Management Victoria operational document seen by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

I doubt the guard was out of the blocks in the first 24 hours. Especially as that was the end of March and the guards tested positive in May.

 

[Hvr]

Mistakes happen in pandemics and more are sure to come...

I think this is something we all agree on.

Regarding the latest posts in this thread people are responding to the arguments and various points made and responding appropriately. I haven't seen anything personal which is good.

 

[jakeseven7]

Bit of a miss! Hopefully NSW Health gets a bit faster...

——-
Sydney pub forced to chase health officials to confirm COVID-19 exposure


The licensee of an eastern suburbs pub that was visited by a person who later tested positive to COVID-19 says he only learned his venue had been exposed through the media and had to chase NSW Health to confirm the news.

Jack Carter, who runs the Village Inn in Paddington, said he did not know one of his patrons had attended his venue while potentially infectious until it was reported by The Sydney Morning Herald at 9.40am on Monday. The patient attended the venue nine days earlier from 6.30 to 10pm on July 11.

When Mr Carter managed to get in touch with the epidemiologist who headed the contact tracing group, he learned NSW Health had known of the exposure for some time.

Venue forced to chase health officials to confirm COVID-19 exposure

The licensee of the Village Inn in Paddington said he was particularly disappointed given he had recently been told off by doctors who wanted to make a group booking in breach of the 10-person cap.

www.smh.com.au

 

[p--and--t]

It was nothing to do with the Opposition.here once again is the Age article.

Leaked emails reveal government knew of problems on day one of hotel quarantine

Correspondence between government departments shows top government bureaucrats were concerned about the role of security guards in the program, requesting police be called in to replace them.

www.theage.com.au

I doubt the guard was out of the blocks in the first 24 hours. Especially as that was the end of March and the guards tested positive in May.

Will be interesting to find out after the judicial enquiry on where the information block point was and if the issue ever reached the emergency response committee or whatever it is called that Dan would attend before it was way too late and the responsible personnel couldn't hide it any longer.

 

[DC3]

Cant agree. Its the one who meets the brief. Then cost factor comes into play. And if that isnt that case then ask the Government why? .......

I spent about 40 years working for Fed and State governments. I have some experience here.

However, we all have our own views on such things, I guess. I’m not here to convince anyone, just stating my point of view.

Edit: Any tenderer with half a brain can soon work out how to submit a tender that for all intents and purposes meets the requirements. Then, who sorts out the performance of the tenderer after the event? Everyone has usually moved on by then.

 

[jakeseven7]

Feels like Groundhog Day...

—-

New South Wales Police will attempt to block another planned Black Lives Matter protest slated for next week with thousands planning to attend despite rising coronavirus cases.

Police threaten to fine thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters if Sydney rally goes ahead

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says if thousands of protesters turn up at the rally he'll instruct officers to issue them fines for breaching public health orders.

www.abc.net.au