We asked readers what they think of Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos' resignation from Parliament, chiefly whether they believe it was fair for her to quit.
Ms Mikakos said she could no longer be a cabinet minister after Premier Daniel Andrews told the state's hotel quarantine inquiry he held her "accountable" for the ill-fated program that unleashed Victoria's disastrous second coronavirus wave.
"I have never wanted to leave a job unfinished, but in light of the Premier’s statements for the Board of Inquiry and the fact that there are elements in it that I strongly disagree with, I believe that I cannot continue to serve in his cabinet," she wrote in a statement on Twitter.
"I am deeply sorry for the situation that Victorians find themselves in. In good conscience, I do not believe that my actions led to them."
Premier Daniel Andrews said Ms Mikakos has made the appropriate decision, but insisted he would not resign.
"I don't run from problems and challenges. I've got a very important job to do which is to continue to get these case numbers down and then to begin the biggest recovery project that our state has ever seen. I don't run from challenges," he said.
But many readers think otherwise.
More ministers, including the Premier, should resign
"The four ministers should all be accountable for their lack of apparent oversight of the quarantine program that failed in its ability to contain the virus. The level of bureaucracy that supported the program that did not have health knowledge was ludicrous. Lawyers and economists dominated the professions of those making largely clinical decisions. All of our government departments should be subject to scrutiny going forward. The people in charge of our government departments lack expertise and are reliant on being 'informed' by the experts around them. We have seen how this has played out now in the most devastating of circumstances. These are our tax dollars at work, feathering the pockets of lifetime bureaucrats. It’s time for change." - Marietta
"Had to happen, and there should probably be two or three more including the Premier." - Adam
"Yes it's fair ... but Daniel Andrews, Martin Pakula and Crisp should also resign." - Anonymous
"Although I like Daniel Andrews, I think the 'buck' should stop with his accountability because he is the 'Chief'." - Jayv
Many others came out in support of Ms Mikakos, saying the hotel quarantine failings were not entirely her fault.
Daniel Andrews said he will not be resigning and that Ms Mikakos' resignation was appropriate.Credit:Joe Armao
Mikakos is a scapegoat
"Scapegoat. And yes, other ministers and high level bureaucrats need to have their heads roll. We the people of Melbourne are paying a high price for their mishandling of the situation. Saying 'sorry' doesn’t cut it." - Anyonmous
"Andrews should be out the door too. What a catastrophic failure of government.Has there been a worse government failure in the state's history? Mikakos is the first to go, she shouldn't be the last. This is coming from a lifelong Labor voter, too." - David
"It's not fair and all people involved in the decision making process need to share the blame. Also Dan Andrews is the premier and Captain of the state, needs to accept responsibility as the buck stops with him." - Anonymous
Hundreds of our readers responded to our call-out and we thank you for your contribution. Having read your emails, there was one common theme: Victorians can't wait for this second spike in cases to be over and for the lockdown to end.
Marissa Calligeros is a journalist at The Age
Weekend Night Digital Editor
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigAFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVhZ2UuY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL3ZpY3RvcmlhL3Nob3VsZC1tb3JlLW1pbmlzdGVycy1yZXNpZ24taGVyZS1zLXdoYXQtcmVhZGVycy1hcmUtdGVsbGluZy11cy0yMDIwMDkyNi1wNTV6aW4uaHRtbNIBgAFodHRwczovL2FtcC50aGVhZ2UuY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL3ZpY3RvcmlhL3Nob3VsZC1tb3JlLW1pbmlzdGVycy1yZXNpZ24taGVyZS1zLXdoYXQtcmVhZGVycy1hcmUtdGVsbGluZy11cy0yMDIwMDkyNi1wNTV6aW4uaHRtbA?oc=5
2020-09-26 10:13:00Z
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