The Victorian Covid Cases By Brian Simpson
Talk about generosity! The Victorian government is offering $ 5 million dollars to settle a class action regarding nine public housing towers that were locked down in 2020. The 3,000 residents were detained without notice in the residences, did not have fresh air, exercise, and deprived of medicines and adequate/ suitable food.
The offer to settle of $ 5 million is in my opinion an insult. I would argue that each deprived person should be awarded at a minimum of $ 5 million, for a fundamental violation of human rights, given that the facts are correct. But, the Victorian people returned the same government to power which did this, so I guess, that is just how it goes in the Covid state.
“The Victorian government is offering $5 million in compensation to end an ongoing class action against it in response to placing nine public housing towers under strict lockdowns in 2020.
Over 3,000 residents across nine public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington in Australia were detained—without notice—in their apartments from July 4 to either July 9 or 18 in, 2020.
The claim, filed in 2021 in the Victorian Supreme Court, claimed that residents were deprived of access to fresh air, exercise, and activities during the lockdown. It also alleges that residents were left without medication and critical supplies and were served “spoiled” food.
Lead plaintiff Idris Hassan, who lives in a North Melbourne public housing tower with his wife and three children, claimed his family were supplied with four “partially defrosted” sausage rolls after receiving nothing for three days.
The sausage rolls were not “fit for human consumption” and did not take into account their religious dietary requirements.
Hassan’s nine-year-old son also suffered asthma attacks after running out of medication during the lockdown, with the family forced to live off “nuts and beans,” the action claimed.
The Victorian government has denied several of these claims, while last week, a notice of the settlement was placed on the Victorian Department of Health’s website.
“The plaintiffs and the State of Victoria have agreed to resolve this class action so that money is paid to eligible group members of the class action. This is called a settlement. The settlement will only take effect if it is approved by the Supreme Court,” the website said.
The legal fees incurred by the plaintiffs will not be deducted from the $5 million and will instead be paid by the state.
In response, Barry Berih, tower resident and community leader, said the plaintiffs would discuss the offer, but an apology would also be sought.
“I feel very disgusted in terms of this offer, but we have to actually work together as a community to move forward,” Berih told ABC radio.
A spokesperson for the Victorian government said it worked with public health experts to determine the response to the pandemic.
“As a part of the overall public health response to a once-in-a-100-year pandemic, measures were necessary to protect all Victorians and save lives, especially the most vulnerable in our community—particularly given the slow roll out of vaccines by the Morrison government,” the spokesperson said in comments obtained by AAP.”
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