Families affected by the devastating impact of COVID-19 during the second wave in Victoria have voiced their frustration over the lack of accountability as prosecutors dropped charges against the state government. This decision came after the health department faced 58 charges following breaches in infection control that led to the deadly second wave in 2020. The dropping of charges has left families like John Atzarakis, who lost his mother to the virus, feeling shocked and dismayed that no one will be held accountable for the failures in the hotel quarantine program.
John Atzarakis shared the pain of losing his mother, Fotini, who passed away in July 2020 after contracting COVID-19 while in St Basils aged care for respite. Expressing disbelief over the lack of accountability, he highlighted the feeling of shock and disgust at the outcome of the dropped charges. The frustration was compounded by the fact that accountability seemed to have been set aside due to legal technicalities and loopholes, leaving families seeking closure and justice for their losses.
The collapse of the case was explained by a spokesperson for Victoria's Office of Public Prosecutions, citing that evidence from 10 witnesses was deemed inadmissible by the court due to restrictions on information provided in an inquiry. This ruling severely impacted the case's prospects for conviction, ultimately leading to the discontinuation of the prosecution. While WorkSafe expressed deep disappointment over the decision, highlighting its commitment to upholding health and safety standards, opposition leader John Pesutto emphasized the need for accountability in the face of significant failings in the quarantine program.