An inquiry has begun into Victoria's botched coronavirus hotel quarantine program, which has sparked a second wave of infections in the state.
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Retired judge Jennifer Coate, who is heading the inquiry, and counsel assisting Tony Neal QC delivered opening statements on Monday.
The inquiry is still going through all the submissions it has received from those involved in the program, but a link to the state's deadly second wave has already been established.
"Information already available to the inquiry suggests the possibility of a link between many of the cases of coronavirus identified in the Victorian community in the past few weeks and persons who were quarantined under the hotel quarantine program," Mr Neal said.
"Comments made by the chief health officer to the media have suggested that it may even be that every case of COVID-19 in Victoria in recent weeks could be sourced to the hotel quarantine program."
Under the terms of reference, the decisions and communications between government agencies, hotel operators and private contractors will be examined.
Mr Neal also outlined the government departments, hotels and private security companies that the inquiry has put on notice.
They include the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Department of Treasury and Finance, Department of Justice, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria Police and Emergency Management Victoria.
The two hotels with known large outbreaks, Rydges on Swanston and Stamford Plaza were named, as well as Travelodge Melbourne, Park Royal Hotel Melbourne Airport, Holiday Inn Melbourne and Four Points Sheraton.
Mr Neal also named eight security companies.
"The process of identifying witnesses has already begun and will continue as documents are received and analysed," he said.
Management of the hotel quarantine program is now being organised by Corrections Victoria and police.
Public hearings will be held from August 6 and a final report is due on September 25.
Justice Coate said "there are no sides" in an inquiry but expected the cooperation of all parties.
"To get this done I expect full, frank, timely cooperation from all relevant government departments, entities and persons to enable me to do my job for the people of Victoria," she said.
Australian Associated Press
