'I don't have the answers': Fiery moment Daniel Andrews is grilled over the hotel quarantine debacle and whether it lead to the second deadly wave
- Premier Daniel Andrews has been grilled on Victoria's hotel quarantine fiasco
- Andrews gave fiery response to reporter during the media briefing on Thursday
- He remained tight lipped about the probe, saying he doesn't have the answers
- Victoria recorded 471 new cases of coronavirus, down from 725 on Wednesday
- Eight more deaths from COVID-19 recorded in state with four from aged care
- Deaths include two men in their 60s and two women and three men in their 80s
Daniel Andrews has come under fire for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic as the state battles its horror second wave of infections.
The premier was grilled about the hotel quarantine fiasco during the media briefing on Thursday announcing the state's 471 new cases.
Justice Jennifer Coate, who is leading the inquiry into the program, said on Thursday the premier and his ministers were free to answer questions about the probe.
But Mr Andrews still remained tight-lipped, telling reporters he doesn't have all the answers yet.
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Daniel Andrews has come under fire for his handling the coronavirus pandemic as the state battles its horror second wave of infections
The premier gave a fiery response at the suggestion he had been hiding behind the inquiry
The premier gave a fiery response at the suggestion he was hiding behind the inquiry when asked about the chain of command in the hotel quarantine program.
'I'm not going to conduct a judicial inquiry from this podium. I'm not having two inquires at once. We are having a proper inquiry.
'Judge Coate will take that inquiry where ever she wants to take it and she will report whatever she believes was appropriate.'
He said he took responsibility for mistakes that had been made.
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'I am accountable because of the job I have. I'm accountable for any mistakes, and all mistakes, that are made. I have never shirked that responsibility.
'I've never moved so much as an inch away from that responsibility. That is the role that I have. I will own those errors. I will be accountable for those errors. So, please don't be in any doubt about that.'
When asked when he first became aware of the issues with hotel quarantine he said: 'When the chief health officer stood here, as did I, and reported that genomic sequencing data had clearly shown that at least a significant proportion of cases could be traced back to hotel quarantine'.
Secret Victorian government modelling reportedly predicts coronavirus cases will peak in mid to late August, with average daily new cases hitting 1,100 per day
'Beyond that, though, the issue of it getting out, as you put it – that's when that was confirmed, and the first I knew about it – was the morning that Brett Sutton and myself confirmed for you that both, A, we had that genomic sequencing report, and that, B, we were setting up a judicial inquiry to get to the bottom of it.'
He was also asked if national cabinet recommended ADF or police be given oversight of hotel quarantine but refused to say.
'It will be something that I'm sure Judge Coate will go to. I don't know that that's necessarily the statement,' he said.
A reporter jumped in asking: 'You're in National Cabinet, can't you acknowledge (whether it was discussed)?'
'I'm not acknowledging what I think might not necessarily be an accurate statement. ADF provided transport support in some states,' mr Andrews said.
People are seen packing Queen Victoria Market as they do their shopping on day one of the full stage 4 lockdown
Police and ADF are seen patrolling Flagstaff Gardens on day one of the full stage four lockdown restrictions in Melbourne's CBD
'I think the suggestion that the ADF were running hotel quarantine anywhere, I don't think that is accurate.
'But, again, that's not for me to judge. That is something that Judge Coate will look at and provide us with as much clarity as she can. Again, as I've said to you a number of times, the inquiry is not established to avoid scrutiny. It is so we can get the answers we need — all of them — and the answers that we are fundamentally entitled to.'
The back and forth between Mr Andrews and reporters continued with the same question asked multiple times before Mr Andrews was asked whether he would resign if he was found responsible for the hotel quarantine fiasco.
But Mr Andrews refused to comment.
'I have a job to do. This virus doesn't stop. Neither does me and my time,' he said.
The inquiry was due to start this week but it has been pushed back to August 17 when it will be held via an online hearing due to the Melbourne lockdown.
Mr Andrews provides his daily COVID-19 update on Thursday. Victoria has recorded 471 new cases from the respiratory illness
Victoria has confirmed eight more deaths from coronavirus as Melbourne suffers its fourth day of stage-four lockdown. Pictured: Commuters on Thursday
Earlier during briefing Mr Andrews revealed the details on the reduction in capacity for the state's meat processing facilities as distribution centres have been forced to reduce their workforce to two-thirds of normal production during the six-week lockdown.
Red meat expected to go down to 66 per cent of normal operations and poultry to 80 per cent.
Retail stores across the city will largely be closed to customers from Thursday, while construction and manufacturing work will also been scaled back in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.
Employees allowed to work on-site now have to show a permit or official work ID if they are by stopped police to prove they can leave their homes, or face fines of up to $99,123 for businesses and up to $19,826 for individuals.
People wearing face masks are seen outside of Flinders Street Station in Melbourne on Thursday
A police car is pictured parked outside Flinders Street Station in Melbourne on Thursday morning
Permitted workers and those working from home who cannot supervise their kids must fill out separate forms to send them to child care, kindergarten or primary school.
The rules kicked in a day after Victoria recorded its deadliest day of the COVID-19 pandemic with 15 fatalities, including that of a man in his 30s, and 725 new cases.
Melbourne has been in stage-four lockdown since Sunday with schools shut, weddings banned, and citizens restricted to within a 5km radius of their homes.
Between 8pm and 5am, residents are only allowed to leave their house for work and essential health, care or safety reasons.
The state suffered its worst day of the COVID-19 outbreak on Wednesday, with 725 new cases and 15 fatalities, including Australia's youngest victim - a man in his 30s.
There are now 7,227 active cases in Victoria, 2,280 of which have no known source.
What is open in Melbourne Stage 4
Supermarkets, bottle shops, petrol stations, pharmacies, post offices, banks
Retailers working onsite to fulfill online orders
Hardware, building an garden supplies for trade
Specialist stationery for business use
Motor vehicle parts for emergency repairs, mechanics
Locksmiths, laundry and dry cleaners, maternity supplies
Disability and health services and equipment, mobility devices
Farms and commercial fishing
Vets, pounds and animal shelters
Supermarkets will stay open
Construction of critical infrastructure and services to support those projects
Critical repairs to homes where required for emergency or safety
Cafes and restaurants for takeaway
Media
Critical service call centres
Medicare
Law enforcement and courts for urgent matters
Prisons, facilities for parolees, adult parole board, youth justice facilities
Emergency services
Essential maintenance and manufacturing
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