The Victorian Ombudsman has announced the beginning of an investigation into the treatment of public housing tenants who were in ‘hard lockdown’ for over two weeks.
The Ombudsman, Deborah Glass said she’d begun investigating the treatment of public housing residents at 33 Alfred Street, North Melbourne, who until last week had been restricted to their residences.
Ms Glass said her investigation was responding to residents’ and their advocates’ concerns, emphasising the need for access to medical supplies, fresh air, exercise, or other everyday needs.
“I recognise this is an unprecedented global health emergency and Governments must act swiftly to protect human lives,” Ms Glass said.
“People on the front line are doing an extraordinary job to respond to this crisis and help keep us safe,” she said.
“However, there are lessons to be learnt in how Governments can do that in a way that protects people’s human rights, including access to fresh air, exercise and medical supplies.”
Ms Glass said her investigation would also explore the broader issue of how to protect people’s human rights when they were detained in lockdown.
She said that to the extent possible, her investigation would be collaborative, and seek input from the residents, Department of Health and Human Services, the Emergency Management Team, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Community Legal Centres, community groups, and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
“If similar emergency situations occur in other public housing estates, we can use the learnings gained through this investigation to get better outcomes for anyone else who may be affected,” she said.
Ms Glass said her office had been contacted by over 50 people regarding the lockdown, including individuals, advocacy groups, public housing residents and other Victorians.
