Karl Stefanovic’s heated exchange with Premier Daniel Andrews
Today host Karl Stefanovic has accused the Victorian government for being responsible of the “catastrophic bungle” that allowed another spike in coronavirus cases in the state.
Speaking to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday morning, Stefanovic claimed Andrews was putting the blame on Victorians for the recent outbreak.
“How could you blame Victorians yesterday for the outbreak when it was your government’s decision to employ an incompetent private security force to guard those in quarantine?” the host said. “That’s an unbelievably catastrophic bungle right at the front door.”
Andrews said: “It’s not about blaming Victorians, but all of us have a part to play and all of us have to be focused on those things we can influence.
“If you’re sick you can’t go out. If you’re sick you have to get tested. The rules are there to protect us.
“We all have to follow the rules. That’s not about blaming anyone. It’s simply about properly explaining to people the circumstances we’re in and the next steps that we have to take.
“What’s gone on is unacceptable. To me. To everybody. But I can’t change that. All I can do is make the tough calls now to keep Victorians safe and to get us to the other side of this.”
"You talk about fear. If this gets right away from us then we'll see some very ugly scenes, great tragedy, thousands of people in hospital, and many, many people dying." Victorian premier Daniel Andrews on Melbourne going back into strict lockdown from midnight tonight. #9Today pic.twitter.com/nlt0qatOEz
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 7, 2020
Victoria’s recent surge in COVID-19 cases has been largely attributed to breaches in the quarantine system, with many of the state’s recent infections being linked back to private security contractors working at two quarantine hotels in Melbourne.
In NSW, where the system has seen far fewer outbreak issues, police and the defence forces were significantly involved in hotel quarantine alongside private security.