The Victorian Ombudsman, Deborah Glass has expressed her disappointment that the State Government was yet to apologise to residents of the North Melbourne and Flemington public housing towers a year after they were suddenly placed into ‘hard lockdown’.
Ms Glass said her investigation into the lockdown found it to be a breach of the residents’ human rights and a key recommendation from her Report, tabled in Parliament in December, was for the Victorian Government to apologise.
“It continues to be the only lockdown, before or since, announced with no notice whatsoever – and giving rise to the obvious impression it was made on the grounds of security rather than public health,” Ms Glass said.
“It’s disappointing the State Government has not accepted a key recommendation to say sorry for that,” she said.
“I continue to make it clear that I did not recommend an apology for the lockdown itself – the Government need not apologise for taking necessary action to keep us all safe.”
Ms Glass said the apology should be for the immediacy of the lockdown, that was not based on direct public health advice and left many without food; essential medical and other supplies; no access to fresh air; and surrounded by police.
The Ombudsman said her investigation found basic human rights were breached and were not considered when the rushed lockdown was announced on 4 July last year affecting about 3,000 residents.
“We were told at the time an apology would go a long way to heal the wounds of many who experienced chaos and confusion as police suddenly surrounded their homes,” she said.
“Acknowledging error, even during a global pandemic where quick decisions are needed, and showing regret, would help start this process for many while rebuilding trust.”
Ms Glass said she was pleased the State had implemented other recommendations from her Report, including some amendments to the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 to increase safeguards around the use of detention powers.
The Ombudsman’s 249-page report, Investigation into the detention and treatment of public housing residents arising from a COVID-19 ‘hard lockdown’ in July 2020, can be accessed at this PS News link.
