The Victorian Ombudsman has launched an investigation into COVID-19 related state travel exemptions, specifically looking into who has or hasn't been allowed to enter Victoria either as visitors or residents returning home.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Since July 9 this year, the Victorian Ombudsman has received 80 complaints about COVID-19 related interstate travel permits, exceptions and exemptions.
Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass said while individual cases had been, and continue to be, raised with the Department of Health and several had been resolved, complaints were continuing, raising potentially systemic issues about departmental decision-making.
"The situation is increasingly urgent with the extended lockdown. Some people are telling my office they face effective homelessness, stuck interstate with nowhere else to go," she said.
"Cases that have come into my office have raised concerns about the exercise of discretion under the relevant public health directions.
"This will be a swift investigation to help the Department identify if urgent improvements are needed in processes and decision making."
Ms Glass said she acknowledged how hard public health officials were working to keep Victorians safe in this public health emergency.
Other news:
"Decisions about border permits will invariably involve a balance of individual rights with those of the broader community. But it will be important to ensure that balance has been fairly assessed," she said.
This investigation will examine the department's exercise of discretion involving decisions on interstate travel permits, exceptions and exemptions and relevant human rights considerations.
It will also consider several specific matters that have come to the Ombudsman's office, including exemption requests from:
- children wanting to return home to be with their parents after their school in NSW closed
- a woman wanting to return home to care for her adult daughter after being permitted to leave Victoria to attend a funeral in NSW
- a student wanting to return home to be with his family for his health and wellbeing; and
- a woman wanting to return home to her farm to care for her animals.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria Peter Walsh, whose electorate runs along the border with NSW, said the Ombudsman's decision to investigate came after months of anguish for exiled Victorians.
Ms Glass will present the results of her investigation to the state parliament at the end of the year.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News