Thread by @HaydenJOConnor

Pathetic journalism from @michaelfowler08 and @sumeyyailanbey. An article criticising Victoria for having standby quarantine workers - ridiculous. A thread. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
#auspol #springst #ThisisNotJournalism
theage.com.au/politics/victo…

A loaded headline and opening paragraph that makes this all seem like some sort of scandal, when in fact it isn't. The article goes on to explain why these staff are still getting paid despite not working and the reasons make perfect sense.

.@theage was whinging about this last year also. It was poor journalism then and it's poor journalism now. When setting up hotel quarantine, you can't just contract a few hotels. You contract the hotels you need for capacity and then additional hotels in case problems arise.

You need contingencies with hotel quarantine and if Andrews did not have any, the Age would 100% criticise him for that. So yes, having additional hotels contracted is common sense and naturally, they have to be paid even if they aren't ever used.

So what is the @theage suggesting? Those workers not get paid and have their contracts temporarily suspended whilst ventilation is improved at their workplace? Ridiculous.

Again, the same thing, you can't refuse to pay these workers AND expect them to be available when required.

And yes, having backup staff in case of an outbreak is complete common sense. Pathetic journalism.

Good. It's a risky and stressful job. I'm glad they are paid well.

This lot never miss a chance to take a shot at @DanielAndrewsMP. Again, the Government can't just decide to not pay people whilst they have workers on standby.

Exactly. It's 100% common sense to have workers on standby. Why does this article even exist?

What does it matter? It's clearly obvious that these workers should continue to be paid. If @theage desperately wants this useless information, they can put in an FOI like everyone else!

Yep, paying workers for hotel quarantine is costly but necessary. What is your point @sumeyyailanbey? @michaelfowler08?

So would @theage rather Victoria continued with hotels with unsatisfactory ventilation? Zero mention of the COVID airborne debate in this paragraph is extremely poor journalism.

You can't have an article on Victoria without a predictable criticism from Michael O'Brien 🙄🙄🙄

Overall, this is a pathetic 'Get Dan' article that attempts to sensationalize the spending on hotel quarantine workers and the payments to workers on standby.

If Victoria refused to pay workers that are on standby, you can be assured that @theage would be criticising Victoria for the mistreatment of workers.

If Victoria didn't have workers on standby for emergencies, The Age would be calling them incompetent and lazy.

This 'no matter what Victoria does - we will find a way to criticise them' is a disgusting approach to journalism but it is a classic example of what @theage has become under Nine/Costello.
#auspol #ThisisNotJournalism #springst