'It's not enough': Melbourne towers residents want apology over harsh lockdown
The residents of nine public housing towers who were forced into lockdown at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have reluctantly agreed to a $5million payout from the Victorian Government.
A class action was brought against the state in 2021, after about 1800 adults and 751 children were confined across North Melbourne and Flemington from July 4 to July 18, 2020.
But after a settlement was finally agreed upon, those impacted will receive just $2200 for adults and $1330 for children.
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A class action was brought against the state in 2021, after about 1800 adults and 751 children were confined across North Melbourne and Flemington from July 4 to July 18, 2020, and threatened with physical harm if they tried to leave. Getty
READ MORE: Government not sorry for tower lockdown despite payments
Barry Berih was one of those residents locked down at the time and told Today "it is very heartbreaking" and those affected deserve an apology.
"It's not enough to be honest," he said.
"This was the first time in Australia, the whole world basically, where there had been a lockdown for 14 days and for me it is very shameful.
"The government should apologise for us for being in lockdown for two weeks."
Barry said residents weren't advised of the payout and when news first broke of it in the media yesterday - that was the first he had heard of it.
The Victorian government have agreed to a $5 million pay out to settle a class action brought by public housing residents in Melbourne. Nine
Barry Berih said it is heartbreaking how residents of the Melbourne Towers have been treated after they were forced into lockdown. Today
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He said people were trapped indoors for the two weeks and couldn't go for a walk, get fresh air, or adequate food.
"More still needs to be done to be move forward," he said.
"People are still traumatised, their mental health is suffering and we need an apology from the government, basically."
See what else Barry had to say in the video above
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