Victoria paid private ‘consultants’ from KPMG millions to during bungled lockdown

‘Chairman Dan’ Andrews paid ‘consultants’ from accounting firm KPMG almost $100k each to help roll out the bungled lockdown

  • Private ‘Covid contractors’ were payed millions by the Victorian government 
  • On average each contractors was paid almost $100,000 for four months work
  • Premier Andrews will not say if KPMG were part of quarantine hotel ‘failure’
  • Another 191 cases were confirmed on Tuesday as the virus continues to spread
  • It it believed the bungled hotel quarantine is behind this fatal new outbreak 

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured on Monday) hired KPMG ‘covid consultants’

The Victorian government shelled out millions of taxpayers’ dollars to COVID-19 management consultants, only to see the number of infections skyrocket.

Premier Daniel Andrews hired outside contractors from KPMG in May to assist public servants coordinating the state’s coronavirus response operations.

It is understood the Victorian government hired up to 35 KPMG consultants at a cost of nearly $3.5million to help it tackle the outbreak. 

Neither Mr Andrews nor the big-four accounting firm have answered whether these consultants were involved in the bungled hotel quarantine program which led to a surge in cases and the subsequent lockdowns which followed.  

Medical staff prepare to perform coronavirus tests on residents at a public housing tower under lockdown in North Melbourne (pictured on Tuesday)

Medical staff prepare to perform coronavirus tests on residents at a public housing tower under lockdown in North Melbourne (pictured on Tuesday)

Staff inside the Stamford Hotel in Melbourne are seen moving luggage for guests in quarantine (pictured on June 25)

Staff inside the Stamford Hotel in Melbourne are seen moving luggage for guests in quarantine (pictured on June 25) 

Premier Daniel Andrews hired outside contractors from KPMG in May to assist public servants coordinating the state's coronavirus response (pictured, KPMG offices in Melbourne)

Premier Daniel Andrews hired outside contractors from KPMG in May to assist public servants coordinating the state’s coronavirus response (pictured, KPMG offices in Melbourne)

Almost $35million is being spent on up to 35 contractors from May 1 to August 8, according to documents available on the Victorian government’s tenders website. 

With a total bill of $3,403,243, that means Victorian taxpayers were handing over $97,235 on average to each consultant for just a four month period.

‘To fight this pandemic, the government has employed a range of people, including professionals seconded from private companies and purchased the personal protective equipment our communities need to fight the virus,’ a Victorian government spokesman said in a statement.

‘KPMG secondees have been working in operational and forward project planning involving contract tracing, call centre operations, forecasting, case management, outbreak and cluster investigation, data entry and analysis.’ 

Victoria's case numbers soared on Monday for the 20th straight day of double-digit gains. The outbreak state now has more than 97 per cent of Australia's active cases

Victoria’s case numbers soared on Monday for the 20th straight day of double-digit gains. The outbreak state now has more than 97 per cent of Australia’s active cases

A staff member at the Stamford Hotel in Melbourne is pictured wearing a protective facemask (pictured on June 25)

A staff member at the Stamford Hotel in Melbourne is pictured wearing a protective facemask (pictured on June 25)

Medical staff in Melbourne wearing PPE walk into the Flemington public housing flats which have been placed into mandatory lockdown (pictured on Sunday)

Medical staff in Melbourne wearing PPE walk into the Flemington public housing flats which have been placed into mandatory lockdown (pictured on Sunday)

When asked by Daily Mail Australia if KPMG consultants were involved in the planning and operations of the bungled quarantine hotel program, the spokesperson refused to answer. 

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 8,586

New South Wales: 3,429

Victoria: 2,660

Queensland: 1,067

Western Australia: 621

South Australia: 443

Tasmania: 228

Australian Capital Territory: 108

Northern Territory: 30

TOTAL CASES: 8,586

DEATHS: 106

‘A judicial inquiry is being carried out at arm’s length of the government – it would be inappropriate to comment while that process is underway,’ the spokesperson said.

Premier Andrews ordered an investigation into the state’s hotel quarantine ‘failure’ after it was revealed there were extensive breaches in infection protocol by private security staff hired to guard returned travellers. 

Among the accusations are that some staff took the returned travellers to 7-Eleven, McDonald’s and KFC on shopping trips while they were supposed to be enforcing their self-isolation. 

It has also been claimed some guards and travellers had sexual relations during the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

More than 60 coronavirus cases have been linked to the state’s quarantine hotel ‘failure’.

In just the past seven days Victoria has recorded 550 new infections, and two patients have died.

On Tuesday, another 191 cases were recorded – sparking fears of a state-wide lockdown. 

The surge in cases has already sent dozens of Melbourne suburbs back into lockdown, including almost 3,000 residents at ten public housing towers.

Victorians will also be banned from travelling outside the state.

New South Wales will shut its border to Victorians at midnight on Wednesday, in line with other Australian states. 

KPMG has been contacted for comment. 

HOW WILL THE NSW-VIC BORDER SHUTDOWN WORK?

The border will close from 12.01am Wednesday morning

It will be be enforced from the NSW side with roadblocks, drones and helicopters

Permit system will be used for people with unavoidable travel to NSW

People living in border communities will be able to travel for work and essential health services

Specific arrangements will be set up for healthcare in Albury-Wodonga – Victoria runs the Albury Hospital even though it is located in NSW 

Melbourne police are seen helping with the delivery of crates of bread and 'budget boxes' to the residents at 12 Holland Court Commission flat housing in Flemington (pictured on Monday)

Melbourne police are seen helping with the delivery of crates of bread and ‘budget boxes’ to the residents at 12 Holland Court Commission flat housing in Flemington (pictured on Monday)

Medical staff wearing PPE are pictured at a pop up site at the the Melbourne Showgrounds conducting coronavirus tests (pictured)

Medical staff wearing PPE are pictured at a pop up site at the the Melbourne Showgrounds conducting coronavirus tests (pictured)

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk