Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has this morning moved to assuage fears in the Victorian electorate that the festive season surge in Covid cases could hinder voting in the upcoming state election.
From the ABC:
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has addressed the media today to confront the growing Covid crisis affecting the eastern states of Australia.
“This is a very difficult time for Victorians as we enter a fourth wave of Covid in our community,” he said. “I would like to thank Victorians for the work they did to suppress previous Covid waves, and I would ask them in the humblest of terms to double their efforts to combat this deadly disease.
“This means practicing social distancing, wearing masks in public places, and getting whichever round of boosters matches your particular setting requirement.
The Premier expressed his determination to “get on with business,” reassuring voters the state election would go ahead despite the challenges.
“Now obviously, I am aware that there has been some consternation among Victorians regarding the upcoming state election on Saturday, November 26.” he stated. “I can assure my constituents that we will not allow this fresh wave to threaten our democracy, we’re going to get on with business.
“If you want to vote in person, please practice social distancing, use hand sanitiser, bring your own pen and wear a mask. However I would urge anybody who is concerned about catching or spreading Covid at the polling booth that there is a much easier option – mail in your ballot ahead of polling day.
“Looking to the success of the recent midterms in the US and the 2020 Presidential Election, I am confident that our own vote counting technology and mail in systems can cope with extra demand.”
Mr Andrews warned that some elements in the Liberal Party and online trolls were already spreading baseless accusations that his government wants to rig the election.
“Let me make this very clear to the extreme extremists in the Liberal Party and hateful online anonymous trolls, we intend to make this upcoming election the most open, transparent and accountable election in this country’s history. Any suggestion that this vote is going to be rigged, or accusations of vote rigging after the votes have been counted, is a threat to our democracy.
“We take these threats very seriously and will be monitoring online chatter and encrypted message boards to prosecute those who would threaten our national security.”
XYZ News attempted to contact opposition leader Matthew Guy for comment, however his maid told us in no uncertain terms not to wake him before midday.
