Member for Mallee Anne Webster has responded to the State Government moving regional Victoria into step three of its COVID-19 recovery roadmap by describing it as ‘a reprieve’.

She said she welcomed the easing of restrictions but at the same time was damning of the State Government’s handling of restrictions in her electorate.

She said the people of Mallee had worn a great deal of pain and costs due to restrictions, in fear of a virus that was ‘never present in their communities’.

“Mallee residents have without any valid, strategic or scientific justification, borne the brunt of measures designed to flatten the curve, when there was no curve to flatten,” she said. 

“Towns in my electorate are not suburbs of Melbourne. 

“While Melbourne has to deal with strict lockdown measures due to inadequate hotel quarantine, community transmission and subsequent tracing methods, it should have resulted in a ring of steel around Melbourne, not restrictions in Mallee. 

“Stage-two restrictions were always more than sufficient for our regional circumstances. 

“Going back to stage three was not only unnecessary, but excessive.

“Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has taken credit for his stage-three restrictions driving down COVID-19 case numbers. 

“However, case numbers in Mallee have been zero to low with no community spread for five months.”

First-hand accounts

Dr Webster, who last week wrote to 24,000 Mallee residents, said she had received about 700 ‘deeply moving first-hand’ accounts of the hardships caused by stage-three restrictions.

“Fear has gripped some in our communities, while making others furious,” she said.

“People have been denied regular medical check-ups including treatment for cancer and help for depression.

“It’s not the threat of a pandemic virus that Mr Andrews has driven down. 

“He has driven down confidence, prosperity and prospects for recovery. 

“I welcome the lifting of stage-three restrictions and the accelerated move from step two to step three with some reprieve for our social lives. 

“People who have been feeling tremendously isolated will be thrilled to reconnect with others. 

“The opening of hospitality venues with outdoor operations will be very pleasing to many. 

“I trust our persistent low case numbers are reflected in the easing of border restrictions, for healthcare, businesses and families to reunite.”

The federal electorate of Mallee covers a vast section of western Victoria including the Wimmera-Mallee.

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