The mandate whispers have instigated a promise by the long-time politician that, if elected, the coalition would scrap any proposed COVID mandates.
“How can Victorians make any short-term plans — let alone long-term — when the Andrews Labor government keeps threatening to bring back its draconian COVID mandates,” Mr Walsh said.
The State Member for Murray Plains said Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas had confirmed in radio and TV interviews that the Andrews Labor government was actively modelling new restrictions — including face masks and work-from-home orders.
He says Victorians deserve “straight answers, today, right now”, of the extent of its mandate plans.
“This government announcement explains why the Premier has seen fit to continue rolling over his executive powers — the power he said he would not keep anywhere near this long,” Mr Walsh said.
“The last thing our fragile economy needs right now is Daniel Andrews botching another round of ‘best medical advice’ COVID crackdowns.
“With businesses collapsing all around us, with interest rates going up and the cost-of-living soaring, any more of his ham-fisted and heavy-handed decisions could truly be the last straw for so many Victorians.”
Ms Thomas said: “The public health team are looking at modelling and they’re consulting with their colleagues and various ideas are floated, but no ideas have been taken … the pandemic declaration allows me to make that decision and I haven’t yet made it”.
“I’m receiving advice not just from the health team but from my colleagues about the next steps under the pandemic declaration.”
Mr Walsh said the Andrews Labor Government must provide straight answers to the following:
• What health advice has the minister received from her colleagues?
• What “ideas” for new restrictions and mandates are being considered by the Department of Health?
• Has the Health Minister received recommendations or briefs in relation to new restrictions?
• Has the Heath Minister requested recommendations or briefs in relation to new restrictions?
• What modelling has the Department of Health conducted into new restrictions?
• What new restrictions is the minister aware of and actively deciding on?
• When will the minister make this decision?
He said a Matthew Guy Liberals and Nationals Government would manage COVID in a safe, sensible way, letting people get on with their lives and getting Victoria back on track by:
• Repealing the Pandemic Declaration;
• Guaranteeing no more lockdowns;
• Ruling out new mask and vaccine mandates; and
• Not imposing new work-from-home orders.
“Victorians deserve certainty and clarity over health measures so local communities can recover and rebuild,” Mr Walsh said.
“The minister has confirmed new restrictions are actively being modelled, discussed and considered by the Department of Health.
“The government clearly has a plan for new restrictions and needs to come clean today.
“Victorians cannot move forward under with the spectre of more lockdowns and mandates hanging over our heads — this is not the path to recovery.”
