Thread by @HaydenJOConnor

In this article, @rachelbaxendale uses photos obtained via unauthorised access to a fenced-off area so she can write a negative story on Hotel Quarantine.

I've spoken with a source from HQ to get the truth!

A thread ⬇️⬇️⬇️
#auspol #ThisisNotJournalism
theaustralian.com.au/nation/coronav…

We're also looking at @rachelbaxendale's follow up article after questioning @JamesMerlinoMP about her initial article at the presser.
#auspol #COVID19Vic #ThisisNotJournalism

theaustralian.com.au/nation/coronav…

Technically this is true. However, the full truth is that the bins are stored in a fenced-off area of the car park that is owned by the hotel. They are not in a section of the car park that is shared with residents, the material is stored in a separated, fenced-off section.

Couldn't give two hoots what the owners' corp are doing. The residents aren't a risk of COVID infection, as the linen is stored in the plastic bags inside the facility and then moved into the car park for collection.

In fact, @rachelbaxendale's article actually ends with this little disclaimer. There is no infection risk. The article is a non-story. No risk. No story and the article admits there is no risk.

Pathetic journalism.
#auspol #springst #COVID19Vic #ThisisNotJournalism

The person who obtained these photographs has breached the FENCED-OFF area to do so. I've been informed by a source working in HQ that the Police were involved due to this breach.
#auspol #ThisisNotJournalism #auspol

Rachel's article does mention Police involvement. Apparently, the man was just 'conducting an inspection'. Which seems odd, why not notify the hotel of this inspection?

Perhaps the Owners' Corp was looking for photos for Rachel's article - of course, that's just me speculating..

The truth of the matter is that we have an entire article based upon false concerns of transmission with pictures coming from UNAUTHORISED access to a fenced-off area.

I guess that's expected from the journo who doctored a transcript last year!
#auspol #ThisisNotJournalism

None of which requires them to access a fenced-off area @rachelbaxendale!

Not really sure what the Owners' Corp expect. You're conducting an investigation of a CQV facility, that is PRIVATELY OWNED by the hotel. Of course, you are going to get detained!

If anything, this article is just a spat between the hotel and their owner's corp and isn't really of the public interest.

In the follow-up article @JamesMerlinoMP confirms that strict IPC rules are being followed. The first article even mentions this from a CQV spokesperson.

There is no wrongdoing here at all.

The linen has to be moved somewhere for pick up. Hotels aren't suited for quarantine and in the absence of a basement, a car park is the only option

You can't have the collection team entering the hotel to collect the materials, that would present a much higher health risk!

After having the concerns of her first article dismissed by @JamesMerlinoMP - @rachelbaxendale's follow up took a different approach.

She decided to interview a resident instead.

This resident, who I won't name is clearly biased. Her Twitter is full of anti-lockdown retweets, she is against COVID zero. Her Twitter profile is just the retweeting of all your usual uneducated, right-wing views on COVID.

Cleary a handpicked resident.

Even worse is that @rachelbaxendale runs this quote from the Owners' corp.

One report of people opening bags? From whom? Who saw it? Certainly, not the Owners' Corp chair as the quote doesn't say "I saw someone opening bags".

How do we know it wasn't the collection team?

And if this is actually happening, why isn't anyone looking into it?

This is just a ridiculous quote from the Owners' Corp, they are clearly trying to make HQ look bad and naturally @rachelbaxendale lets them.

And this quote. Ridiculous @rachelbaxendale!

The area is FENCED-OFF. It is separate. That's why the police were involved when the Owners' Corp went snooping to get their pics.

At the end of the day @rachelbaxendale, if you and the Owners' Corp think the bins shouldn't be there, where else do you suggest that the hotel puts them?
#auspol #springst #ThisisNotJournalism #COVID19Vic