The Coate Inquiry, which issued its final report in December 2020, identified numerous failures in the Victorian state government’s hotel quarantine system that led to hundreds of deaths and 18,000 infections. Dr. Vyom Sharma, who worked in hotel quarantine during this time frame, highlighted that while the system was well-intended, there were significant mistakes made, including breaches in infection prevention protocols. Lessons learned from the pandemic included not underestimating the potential airborne spread of COVID-19, which was a key factor in many infections.
An oral ruling in April 2022 found that the testimony of 10 witnesses in the criminal proceedings against WorkSafe Victoria was inadmissible, as they were employees of the Department of Health who had provided statements to the Coate Inquiry. This ruling substantially weakened the prosecution case, leading to a determination that there were not reasonable prospects of conviction on the charges. Former Crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert explained that in such situations, prosecutors would need to start fresh and obtain new statements from witnesses.
Charges against the Department of Health stemmed from a 15-month investigation by WorkSafe Victoria, alleging failures to appoint infection control experts, provide adequate training to security guards, and ensure proper mask-wearing instructions in hotel quarantine. WorkSafe accused the department of 17 OHS breaches related to employee safety and an additional 41 breaches in ensuring non-employees were not exposed to health risks. The dropping of some charges and discontinuation of criminal proceedings sparked disappointment from the watchdog and calls for government accountability from the opposition.
Spiros Dimitriou shared the heartbreaking story of his father’s death from COVID-19 at St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner, where he contracted the virus. Dimitriou’s father passed away in August 2020, alone in the hospital, without his family present. Reflecting on the loss, Dimitriou emphasized that the residents, including his father, should still be alive today. The dropping of charges related to the hotel quarantine failures further fueled concerns about government accountability and the lack of consequences for those responsible.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas expressed that she was informed of the decision to drop the charges against the Department of Health on Tuesday but was unaware of when the decision was made. The disappointment and frustration among families who lost loved ones during the hotel quarantine failures continue to linger, as they feel a sense of injustice and lack of closure. The implications of the dropped charges on government accountability, public trust, and the prevention of similar failures in the future remain to be addressed through potential legislative changes and increased transparency in decision-making processes.
