Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is facing a multibillion-dollar class action suit from businesses affected by the stage four COVID-19 lockdown.
The plaintiffs are claiming failures in the hotel quarantine system led to the draconian restrictions which have brought businesses to a standstill.
Damian Scattini, partner at Sydney-based Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan will lead the class action.
Mr Scattini said that he served the Victorian government with an open class action lawsuit on 21 August, after his office was approached by businesses across the spectrum – from pubs, gyms, retail, sporting facilities and professional services – who have been poleaxed by the second lockdown.
“These businesses, many of them [mum-and-dad] operations, need help now. As things stand, there is no plan for them,” Mr Scattini said.
“The class action provides a path to compensation for losses that were beyond their control and not brought about by them.
“It’s quite plain what happened with hotel quarantine, which enabled the virus to escape, and cause these restrictions and losses for businesses.
“These businesses need help now, they have been [snakebitten] by this quarantine breach and some will not be around much longer.”
Mr Scattani, who is leading the case, has extensive experience launching legal action against state governments.