EDITORIAL
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The daily Daniel Andrews press conference; for many it has become compulsory viewing.
A piece of dramatic theatre sprinkled with occasional useful coronavirus information, especially in recent weeks.
But if you were tuning in this week to the display, which very rarely concludes in less than an hour, you might have noticed something missing. Where was the mention of regional Victoria?
After all, we passed the two-week mark since advancing to the 'third step' on Wednesday and alas, there has been virtually no increase in regional case numbers.
Was this not outlined by the premier as the time period needed to assess the impact? But still, very little mention or acknowledgement that we had ticked that box.
It must be said, Andrews had also said "two to three" weeks to assess the impact was needed, so naturally we cast our minds forward to next Wednesday, October 7.
However, when he did finally address the regions on Thursday, he said changes were still "a few weeks'" away.
To be clear, this newspaper is not demanding the government immediately allows for the further reopening of regional Victoria.
Of course, it is best to follow medical advice on that matter.
What we are asking for, however, is to be given some clear direction.
We don't want to be told to wait "two weeks", which then becomes "two to three weeks" and now just "a few weeks" more.
Regional Victoria, and to an even greater degree Ballarat, has worked extremely hard to get on top of COVID-19 and incredible sacrifices have been made. Now, we deserve some clarity.
To put it on the record, there have been official requests by Australian Community Media mastheads to attend the press conferences and ask questions about the regions, only to be told the conferences are strictly for Melbourne press gallery journalists.
Admittedly, Andrews has held a small number of regional media press conferences.
However, you could count these on one hand and there has not been one held for more than three weeks.
Come on Dan, we are part of Victoria too!
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