Victorian taxpayers still do not know the full cost of the state's COVID-19 response, according to the Victorian Auditor-General's Office. Its latest report says there is no transparent, easily accessible reporting on pandemic spending across government. The office previously put the total at roughly $39.8 billion. It said the Daniel Andrews-led government stopped publishing cross-departmental pandemic figures after 2021-22, contrary to its earlier recommendation.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has accused the Labor government of wasting taxpayer money on its almost $40bn Covid-19 response. She pledged a public expenditure tracker if the Coalition wins government. An Auditor-General's report found at least $39bn was spent, with up to $397m paid to high risk or potentially ineligible grant recipients. It also found more than $771m of unused protective equipment was written off between 2023 and 2025, and $252m went on Covid-related legal expenses.
Australians not covered by the national program can now be charged up to $180 for a COVID-19 vaccination, with prices set by individual pharmacies. Since 1 October, the vaccine has been part of the routine National Immunisation Program, which still covers at-risk groups such as older Australians. SBS News found prices differing across chains, with one Chemmart outlet charging $120 and Chemist Warehouse stores charging $179.99. One pharmacy owner said the high wholesale price and short expiry date of stock could affect whether pharmacies stock the vaccine.
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An integrity watchdog has found that senior officials in a Victorian government department covered up the extent of losses from flawed COVID-19 business support payments. The payments, estimated at $257 million, went to about 9000 businesses that were ineligible. According to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, the officials withheld information from their managers and created misleading material over an extended period. The commission's Operation Harmonia special report was tabled in parliament on Thursday. Commissioner Victoria Elliott said the conduct fell short of expectations of senior public officers.
An integrity watchdog has found that senior officials in a Victorian government department covered up the extent of losses from flawed COVID-19 business support payments. The payments, estimated at $257 million, went to about 9000 businesses that were ineligible. According to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, the officials withheld information from their managers and created misleading material over an extended period. The commission's Operation Harmonia special report was tabled in parliament on Thursday. Commissioner Victoria Elliott said the conduct fell short of expectations of senior public officers.
A friend of accused killer Beau Lamarre-Condon has told a NSW Supreme Court jury about his interest in celebrities and his views on Covid. Stacey Parker said they once tried to meet rapper Pitbull and that he called police pushing protesters the devil's work. Mr Lamarre-Condon, 31, has pleaded not guilty to murdering TV presenter Jesse Baird and Luke Davies on February 19, 2024, and is arguing self-defence. Ms Parker also told the jury he asked her to dispose of a phone and claimed he would be set up over two missing men. The trial continues.
A memorial for epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws has been vandalised in Kirribilli, North Sydney. A local shared images on social media showing the memorial tree torn off near its base. North Sydney Council says it is aware of the damage and has arranged for the tree to be replaced. McLaws, who advised the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, died in August 2023 after a long battle with cancer. The memorial, a plaque and tree at Mary Booth Reserve overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge, was erected in her honour.
