The beefing up of fines for Victorians failing to self-isolate as they await results of coronavirus tests has been labelled "too little, too late" by a North-East MP.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Victorians who do not self-isolate when instructed will be fined $4957 under the crackdown announced by Premier Daniel Andrews on the same day he revealed more than 800 people couldn't be found from more than 3000 home checks carried out by ADF personnel.
The on the spot fines rise from $1650 and could soar to $20,000 for repeat offenders.
Victoria Police also have been instructed not to give anyone a "free kick" and come down hard if the instance of someone travelling from Melbourne to Wodonga for a Big Mac was repeated.
"My optimism has been drained by a Premier who has talked tough before, remember the ring-fence around Melbourne?" member for Benambra Bill Tilley said.
"They decided to mask up everyone in the State because they realised they couldn't keep them in Melbourne.
"Now there are big fines if they are caught if they are not isolating at home.
"The fact is we know people are still coming up here out of the lockdown areas, even under their stage four restrictions."
Mr Tilley said real estate agents have had Melbourne people coming into their offices wanting to look at investment properties in recent days.
Meanwhile, Australian Industry Group regional manager Tim Farrah said there could be a silver lining to the tougher measures in Victoria in terms of re-visiting border closure measures.
"The effects on business will be more severe than the first lockdown," he said.
"But in terms of the border closure we're hopeful these measures begin to have a positive impact and we start to see numbers trending down over the next week to 10 days.
"It will then make the case for NSW to lessen some of these restrictions on the border."