Liberal candidate sorry for ‘murder’ barb at Vic Premier
A Liberal candidate has apologised for his comments about Premier Daniel Andrews made in a video. Photo: ABC News/Rudy De Santis
A low-profile Liberal candidate has apologised for declaring Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will face justice for the “murder” of hundreds stemming from hotel quarantine leaks.
Michael Piastrino is running against Mr Andrews in his safe seat of Mulgrave at the November 26 state election.
In an online video interview, he accused Mr Andrews of murdering 800 people, in reference to those who died after COVID leaked out of hotel quarantine during the Victoria’s second wave.
“Once Dan is gone, Victoria will be put at peace,” Mr Piastrino said.
“We’re getting rid of all the dodgy policies Daniel Andrews has put through and he will be brought to justice for the murder of 800 people, for not allowing loved ones to kiss their loved ones goodbye who are dying in intensive care.”
Mr Piastrino appears in the video with Rukshan Fernando, who gained notoriety for live-streaming Melbourne’s anti-lockdown protests.
Within hours of the video being published, the Victorian Liberal Party campaign issued a statement on Mr Piastrino’s behalf on Monday.
“I wish to apologise for the inappropriate language I used in an interview over the weekend,” he said.
Mr Andrews wouldn’t be drawn on whether he accepted the apology.
“I’ve got absolutely nothing to say about that person,” he said.
“He’s completely irrelevant to the work that I’m doing, keeping Victorians safe. His politics are for him.”
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said he hadn’t spoken to Mr Piastrino but agreed his comments were inappropriate.
“He’s apologised for it and I think that was the right thing to do,” he said.
Mr Andrews holds the seat of Mulgrave with a 12.71 per cent margin but Mr Guy believes he will lose ground in November, after swings away from Labor at booths within the area during the federal election in May.
-AAP