Premier stands by besieged Deputy Chief Health Officer over tweet
Premier Daniel Andrews has defended Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer after her controversial tweet comparing Captain Cook’s arrival to coronavirus, insisting he is more worried about the health and economic wellbeing of Victorians.
While the state Opposition Leader backed calls for the medical officer's removal following the tweet, Mr Andrews said Dr Annaliese van Diemen and her team were doing an “absolutely amazing job”.
On Friday afternoon the nation's Chief Medical Officer, Brendan Murphy, also leapt to Dr van Diemen's defence.
Premier Daniel AndrewsCredit:Joe Armao
Dr van Diemen published a post to her personal Twitter account on Wednesday, saying: "Sudden arrival of an invader from another land, decimating populations, creating terror. Forces the population to make enormous sacrifices & completely change how they live in order to survive. COVID-19 or Cook 1770?”
Professor Murphy praised Dr van Diemen's performance in the job, but insisted he disagreed with her view of history.
“She’s a fine young public-health physician who has been working 80 hours a week for the past two months," he said. "She made a personal tweet and that’s a matter on her personal Twitter account for her. I don’t personally concur with her view, but I think that’s a matter for her."
Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said Dr van Diemen’s tweet eroded public confidence in her. “I don’t think she should continue in the job because she’s shown such a lack of judgment that she’s actually affected public confidence in the public health response,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said Dr van Diemen had breached the public sector code of conduct and “that should have consequences”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison also weighed in on the controversy, describing her comments as “very disappointing”.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Annaliese van Diemen.Credit:Justin McManus
"She clearly wouldn't get the job as chief historian," he told 2GB radio on Friday morning.
"I applaud the work she is doing as a medical officer in Victoria, that's her expertise, I would strongly suggest she keep to that, because those sort of comments don't inspire confidence.”
But Mr Andrews refused to criticise Dr van Diemen.
“There was a tweet posted on a day off and if that’s the biggest issue of this global pandemic, I don’t agree with that,” he said.
Dr van Diemen declined to comment.
On Friday morning, Mr Andrews confirmed there were just three new cases of coronavirus recorded overnight.
He praised Victorians for adhering to social restrictions but insisted authorities were concerned about the potential for outbreaks if the rules were ignored.
“I just want to remind Victorians this is very, very fragile.”
Mr Andrews also called on aged-care providers to show compassion and allow visits from family members wanting to see frail relatives.
His plea comes as advocates for elderly Australians push for a mandatory code of practice to force aged-care providers to lift blanket lockdowns.
“There’s a royal commission into this sector at the moment and community confidence is not enhanced by aged-care providers going to a hard lockdown and not allowing anyone to get in,” Mr Andrews said.
The national cabinet is expected to meet on Friday to discuss the immediate future of sporting competitions, including the AFL.
Mr Andrews said the AFL had been working closely with Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton on having the season resume “at some point” if health concerns could be overcome.
The Premier said the close working relationship between health authorities and the AFL would help the chances of an earlier restart to the season.
Also on Friday, the Andrews government announced it would launch a new online portal featuring live comedy and music performances, including free weekly shows by Australian artists.
With AAP