A quick summary of all the Victorian news you need to know on Tuesday 5 April.
Daniel Andrews pushes back at Morrison government over isolation rules
The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has criticised comments made by the prime minister, Scott Morrison, who said it was up to state governments to change isolation rules for close contacts of Covid cases.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has recommended the isolation rules remain in place for the time being.
“It’s somebody else’s job apparently,” Andrews said on Tuesday, about Morrison’s comments.
“National cabinet, which is chaired by the commonwealth, asked AHPPC to have a look at this very issue and they came back and said, ‘not at this time’,” he said.
“If there’s a quarrel between the prime minister and the chief medical officer well I respectfully suggest that he sort that out. I’m in the business of following the advice of experts.”
Morrison had said it was ultimately a decision for premiers to make, but they needed to weigh up the economic consequences of keeping the current rules in place.
“I have always been a fan of these isolation rules being eased,” he said in Sydney.
“I know the impact it has on the economy – of people not being able to go to work, the impact on caring for children, and the disruption it has.”
Body found after driver swept away by flood water
Police divers have found the body of a man after he had been swept away by flood waters in Victoria’s east on Monday.
Victorian police said the body of the 66-year-old man from Mirboo North was discovered in Thomson, north of Mount Baw Baw, on Tuesday morning.
Police said he was driving a Nissan Patrol and had attempted to cross a river near the Sullivan track at about 1.30pm on Monday.
Police believe his car dropped into a deep section of the crossing and was swept away.
Morrison government backs offshore windfarms
The federal government has announced it will assess the Bass Strait in Victoria’s east for offshore wind developments, months after the state began its own investigations.
The commonwealth said the area near Gippsland was chosen due to its favourable wind conditions, investor interest, grid connection plans and Victorian government backing.
Assessments will examine the impact of offshore renewable energy infrastructure on marine life and birds, fishing, shipping and local communities.
This morning I will be announcing the first area for assessment of offshore wind. This is a transformational development toward decarbonisation while also building Australia’s clean industrial future #JobsUpEmissionsDown https://t.co/qA23MBpB4a
— Tim Wilson MP (@TimWilsonMP) April 4, 2022
It comes after the Victoria government announced in November it was putting $40m towards kickstarting three offshore windfarms in the area.
The state government said funding would be used to conduct feasibility studies for offshore windfarm developments near Gippsland and the Bass coast.
These studies will determine the exact location for each windfarm, and include community consultation.
Adopted people can have biological parents on birth certificates
Legislation to be introduced to Victoria’s parliament on Tuesday will allow adopted people to have their birth and adoptive parents included on their birth certificates for the first time.
Under the current law, people who have been adopted in Victoria are issued a new birth certificate with their adoptive name and the name of their adoptive parents. Their original birth certificate is stamped with “cancelled” or “adopted”.
The only way for an adopted person to use the birth certificate containing the information of their birth parents is to pursue a discharge of adoption through the county court of Victoria.
Last year’s parliamentary inquiry into historical forced adoption, which found 40,000 adoptions were arranged in Victoria from 1958 to 1984, recommended the government introduce integrated birth certificates for those who want them “without delay”.
Covid cases rise, with eight reported deaths
Victoria has recorded 12,007 new Covid cases and eight deaths on Tuesday.
This was an increase from the 10,011 cases recorded on Monday.
The number of Covid patients in Victorian hospitals has also risen by 44, to 339. Of these, 18 people were in intensive care.
We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) April 4, 2022
Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.
More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/leMfotOoZI
