3 ms·

In Australia, there has been an increase due to failings of the state government of Victoria in poor practices by guards of returned travellers in forced quaran

by Khaine 6y ago

In Australia, there has been an increase due to failings of the state government of Victoria in poor practices by guards of returned travellers in forced quarantine resulting in its spread, particularly to public housing apartment complexes[1] As this jump occurred during school holidays, it looks like Melbournians have spread it to NSW as well which is why there is a jump in NSW. [2] Australia would still be in a relatively good position if it wasn't for the incompetence of the Andrews Government. [1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-21/coronavirus-quarantine-hotel-security-guards-recruited-whatsapp/12476574 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-21/coronavirus-quarantin... [2] https://www.smh.com.au/national/melburnian-linked-to-sydney-s-crossroads-hotel-covid-19-cluster-20200715-p55cel.html https://www.smh.com.au/national/melburnian-linked-to-sydney-... [2]

mmerlin 6y ago
Definitely agree. Although to get slightly meta about this, the core blame lies with the 25 years trend of Australian governments outsourcing or selling off every possible previously-government-owned service they can (mostly to China-owned corporations) for a short term sugar hit of revenue for the currently incumbent politicians, to make themselves look good, without caring about the negative long term consequences to government revenue. Profitable government monopolies like the Land Titles Registries have been sold to private international owners, who then raise costs for citizens, in order to recoup their investment faster. Politicians strongly favour awarding outsourced contracts to their donors. In this case without opening the contract up for tender or competitive bidding, and obviously without much due diligence e.g. I read that one of the security firms donated $76k to Dan Andrews party last year. So government outsources work to contractors who subcontract the work to independent ABN holders, who in turn can subcontract the work out to their employees, who in turn might be subcontractors themselves to the last company in the chain. Politicians and public servants are normally happy with this arrangement because they can then wash their hands of blame for any mistakes, and pin it on the outsourcers who stuffed up. In this case though, the blame is serious enough that it has jumped the subcontractor firewalls and burned its way all the way back up to the top (Dan Andrews).
- Khaine 6y ago
  Right, but its a bit of role reversal since Victoria is run by a Labour government which outsourced this to poorly trained security guards, whereas NSW with its Liberal (read conservative for Americans) government got the police to do it.
  - Bendingo 6y ago
    Labour ==> Labor
    - Khaine 6y ago
      I know, I know. Its not my fault they can't spell :P

by Khaine 6y ago

mmerlin 6y ago

Definitely agree. Although to get slightly meta about this, the core blame lies with the 25 years trend of Australian governments outsourcing or selling off every possible previously-government-owned service they can (mostly to China-owned corporations) for a short term sugar hit of revenue for the currently incumbent politicians, to make themselves look good, without caring about the negative long term consequences to government revenue. Profitable government monopolies like the Land Titles Registries have been sold to private international owners, who then raise costs for citizens, in order to recoup their investment faster. Politicians strongly favour awarding outsourced contracts to their donors. In this case without opening the contract up for tender or competitive bidding, and obviously without much due diligence e.g. I read that one of the security firms donated $76k to Dan Andrews party last year. So government outsources work to contractors who subcontract the work to independent ABN holders, who in turn can subcontract the work out to their employees, who in turn might be subcontractors themselves to the last company in the chain. Politicians and public servants are normally happy with this arrangement because they can then wash their hands of blame for any mistakes, and pin it on the outsourcers who stuffed up. In this case though, the blame is serious enough that it has jumped the subcontractor firewalls and burned its way all the way back up to the top (Dan Andrews).

Khaine 6y ago
Right, but its a bit of role reversal since Victoria is run by a Labour government which outsourced this to poorly trained security guards, whereas NSW with its Liberal (read conservative for Americans) government got the police to do it.
- Bendingo 6y ago
  Labour ==> Labor
  - Khaine 6y ago
    I know, I know. Its not my fault they can't spell :P