Liberal Member for Western Victoria Beverley McArthur has been slammed for campaigning against the federal government giving Victoria assistance.
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The upper house MP on Thursday took to Twitter to criticise Victoria's fourth lockdown and said the federal government shouldn't "cave" to the pleas of the Victorian government.
It came just hours before Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced COVID-19 disaster support payment for Victorian workers to the tune up up to $500 on Thursday.
"If the federal government does cave to the demands of Tim Pallas, every single dollar that it costs federal taxpayers should be deducted from Victoria's GST allocation," Ms McArthur said.
"This lockdown must end, the Commonwealth chequebook must close, and Victorian Government ministers must resign."
The comments prompted a pile-on of criticisms online, including from the Liberal Party's own state leader Michael O'Brien who distanced himself from Ms McArthur.
"That's frankly a ridiculous suggestion... and there's a reason why that MP is not on the front bench," Mr O'Brien said.
Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino said the comments were "disgraceful".
"I think that is disgraceful and if you talk to any Victorian business, any Victorian worker who are so disadvantaged and devastated by the lockdown that we must enter into, they would be appalled that anyone would be advocating to the federal government to ignore the needs of Victorian workers," he said on Thursday.
Mr Merlino said the decision to impose a lockdown was to save lives.
"We've got a responsibility to make our community safe and to make sure that people don't get sick and people don't die," he said.
"That is our responsibility and we won't walk away from that and it's frankly insulting for anyone to suggest that any state or territory would choose to enter into a lockdown period to combat this virus."
Ms McArthur stood by her comments and later welcomed the funding announced by the Prime Minister.
"This is absolutely not about a lack of empathy, or about calling for Victorians to go without support," she said. "Of course I believe those in need should get support.
"My point is simple - it is that if the state government makes a conscious political choice to close businesses and throw people out of work, at such low levels of infection, then that state government should wear its own decision and provide the financial assistance people need.
"State governments must not be enabled, indeed incentivised, simply to take these decisions with no thought or accountability for the consequences. Obviously support must be provided to those who need it - but the government which is shutting the economy down cannot be blind to the consequences, and pass on all responsibility."
She said her point 'wasn't designed to be political'.
"If the state government were Liberal, and the federal government Labor, the same point would apply - insulating decision makers from the consequences of their action (i.e. making someone else pay) - is a recipe for bad government, whoever is in government.
"I am sorry that the Twittersphere in its infinite wisdom has chosen to disagree with this argument.
"The Prime Minister's announcement today was encouraging. His proposal shares funding responsibility 50:50 with the states, which addresses my concern about decision-makers' accountability, and requires the Federal Chief Health Officer to agree that the outbreak genuinely constitutes a hotspot requiring lockdown."
Ms McArthur's post prompted an onslaught of negative reactions online:
- "Last time I checked Bev, I was Australian. I pay federal income taxes. I expect my money will be used in different states. And I expect some will come back here, no matter the circumstances. Or are we not all in this together?" - Jen Norton
- "If Victorians weren't isolating in their houses right now, Bev, the virus would spread to other states within days. Think, please." - Sally Rugg
- "As a Victorian, I'm absolutely disgusted at your lack of empathy for your fellow citizens. I get it, you're in opposition, but you seem to be against the people and not just the Andrews government." - Suzeme
- "I'm not a Victorian, I pay taxes, and in times like these which are quite unusual I would expect Australians to help Australians." - Warren Melling
- "Victorians contribute our fair share to Australia's productivity and GDP. Don't ever forget that. More generally, there are families who will go without food if the federal government does not meet its responsibility. Do you want that on your conscience?" - Victor Sojo
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