Myer boss slams Daniel Andrews' roadmap out of lockdown as premier's popularity plummets in new poll

11 Sep 2020

Daily Mail

Myer boss slams Daniel Andrews roadmap out of lockdown as premiers popularity plummets in new poll

The boss of retail giant Myer is the latest business leader to slam under-fire Daniel Andrews over his roadmap out of lockdown as his public popularity as Victorian Premier plummets ina new poll.

Myer boss reveals a glaring hole in Daniel Andrews' roadmap out of lockdown - as new poll reveals Victorian premier's once untouchable popularity is nosediving

Daniel Andrews' popularity as the Victorian Premier plummets in new poll
Labor would lose state election if it was held today, MediaReach poll revealed
Myer chief executive has slammed Premier over his roadmap out of lockdown
John King believes keeping retailers closed until late October will be devastating

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 23:23 BST, 10 September 2020 | Updated: 00:56 BST, 11 September 2020

The boss of retail giant Myer is the latest business leader to slam under-fire Daniel Andrews over his roadmap out of lockdown as his popularity as Victorian premier plummets.

A new poll has revealed Labor would lose the state election if it was held today over the premier's handling of the state's horror second wave of coronavirus in Melbourne.

A MediaReach poll of more than 3,000 voters in five marginal Labor seats, including the electorate of Deputy Premier James Merlino, revealed they would all be lost.

Labor would lose the state election with Liberals well ahead with 61.18 per cent of the vote on a two party-preferred basis, recording a 14 per cent swing against Labor since their big win at the 2018 election.

Myer chief executice John King (pictured with actress Asher Keddie in 2019) has slammed Daniel Andrews' roadmap out of lockdown

While Premier Andrews would narrowly hang on as the preferred premier with 38.9 per cent, Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien is breathing down his neck at 37.5 per cent.

Another 23.6 per cent of polled voters remain undecided.

If the 14 per cent swing against Labor is replicated statewide at the next election in two years time, the government would lose 30 seats, including Mr Andrews’ own electorate.

Myer chief executive John King is the latest business leader to slam Premier Andrews over his road map out of lockdown released on Sunday.

The road map proposes non-essential retailers remain closed until October 26, which Mr King believes will have devastating consequences for hundreds of businesses.

Daniel Andrews (pictured) faced more tough questions from the media on Thursday as his popularity plummets

He believes a delayed reopening of retail will result in more crowded stores in the lead up to Christmas, sparking potential fears of a third wave of the virus which has claimed more than 700 lives in Victoria.

'We need a supercomputer with common sense attached,' Mr King told the Herald Sun.

'I think we should have a staged release of a lot of businesses.'

Mr King described the government's consultation with businesses as a 'box-ticking exercise.'

'It was the government just collecting and disseminating information as opposed to a consultation,' he told the publication.

'We all found it very frustrating.'

Myer stores in Melbourne will remain closed until October 26 under the Premier's roadmap out of lockdown. Pictured is a deserted Bourke Street Mall on September 3

His comments come after CSL chairman Brian McNamee described Mr Andrews' strategy as a crushing policy for Melbourne.

The Melbourne businessman says he doesn't know anyone who supports Premier Andrews' strict stage four lockdown and his 'road map' to ending restrictions.

'It's a map for misery for Victoria. Why do I say that? There's so many factors that influence that,' Mr McNamee told the Herald Sun earlier this week.

'First of all the modelling is too narrow in the context they're looking for. Your model is only as good as your inputs and what you are trying to achieve with that model.'

Melbourne will remain under stage four lockdowns until at least September 28. Pictured are police patrolling Melbourne's CBD on Thursday

Premier Andrews has also been slammed by Australian Workers' Union state secretary Ben Davis, Kmart Group managing director Ian Bailey, Harvey Norman chairman Gerry Harvey, Australian Retailers Association chief Paul Zahra and Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp over his roadmap.

Australian's second largest city will remain in stage four lockdown until at least September 28 after Premier Andrews extended it by two weeks on Sunday.

Regional Victoria remains under stage three restrictions which allows residents to leave home for essential purposes.

Victoria recorded 43 new cases and nine more deaths on Friday.

The boss of retail Myer called for a staged reopening of retail businesses . Pictured is a closed Myer store in Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall on Wednesday

MELBOURNE'S ROADMAP OUT OF COVID-19 LOCKDOWN - WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO AND WHEN:

Step one: The first step will come in to place on September 13.

Step two: The second step will be implemented when Melbourne has 30-50 COVID-19 cases a day on average over the past 14 days. The aim is for this to come into place on September 28.

Step three: The move to step three will occur when there is a daily statewide average of five new cases over the past 14 days. The aim is for this to come into place on October 26.

Step four: The move to step four will come when there have been no new COVID-19 cases in the past 14 days. The aim is for this to come into place on November 23.

COVID Normal: After 28 days of no new COVID-19 cases, things will return to normal.

Step one - 11.59pm on September 13:

- Curfew will be eased to 9pm-5am

- People can still only leave home for the four reasons (shopping, exercise, work and care or medical attention)

- Public gatherings increased to two people, or a household, for a maximum of two hours

- Singles can have one nominated person to their home as part of the 'singles social bubble'

- Childcare and early educators to remain closed

- Schools will continue to learn remotely unless they have exemptions

- Adult education to continue to be done remotely, unless they have exemption

- Only go to work if you are in a permitted industry

- Cafes and restaurants will continue with take away only

- Retail businesses will remain open for essential shopping, with others only operating with click and collect

- Only one person per household can do the essential shopping

Step two - September 28:

- Public gatherings increase again to five people from a maximum of two households

- Childcare and early educators can re-open

- Schools to continue with remote learning, but Prep to Grade Two and Year 11 and Year 12 students will gradually return to class in Term 4

- There will be an increase to permitted workplaces

Step three - October 26:

- Curfew is no longer in place

- There are no restrictions on leaving home

- Public gatherings increase to 10 people together outdoors

- A 'household bubble' will be introduced, so five people from one house can visit another

- Remote learning to continue, but Grades 3 to Year 11 can gradually return to class

- Adult education to continue to be done remotely, but hands on classes will see a phased return to onsite

- Work from home is encouraged

- Up to 10 people can eat together at restaurants and cafes, with the majority of tables outdoor

- Retail shops to reopen, with hairdresses operating under safety measures but beauty stores to remain closed

- Real estate agents can conduct private inspections by appointment

- The one person per household limit on shopping is to be revoked

Step four - November 23:

- Public gatherings to increase to 50 people outdoors

- Up to 20 visitors can attend a home at any one time

- All adult education will return to onsite with safety measures in place

- Groups limited to 20 indoors and a maximum of 50 patrons per venue

- All retail stores to reopen, while real estate agents can operate with safety measures and by keeping a record of attendants

Step five - COVID normal:

- Public gatherings have no restriction

- There will also be no restriction on visitors to homes

- Phased return to onsite work for work from home workers

- Schools to reopen as normal

- Restrictions on hospitality removed, but venues to continue keeping records