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Blaming 'social inclusion' misdirects from poor governance, in favour of race bias. The facts here show:
rushed procurement process awarded to 3 security companies: Wilson, MSS & Unified
Situation was mismanaged
Senior official retains position https://www.smh.com.au/politics/victoria/security-guards-hired-for-hotel-quarantine-in-an-attempt-at-social-inclusion-20200807-p55jlz.html
rushed procurement process awarded to 3 security companies: Wilson, MSS & UnifiedSituation was mismanagedSenior official retains position https://www.smh.com.au/politics/victoria/security-guards-hired-for-hotel-quarantine-in-an-attempt-at-social-inclusion-20200807-p55jlz.html
The focus of this article is the Indigenous-owned company, rather than the bigger issue: possible conflict of interest by a senior official. "As an Indigenous-owned company, Unified satisfies the government’s criteria for contracts under its social inclusion procurement policy"
Public service code of conduct has policies to ensure officials making procurement decisions declare conflict of interest. The official who seems to have awarded Unified a contract had previous ties to the company in previous role as general manager at Brotherhood of St Laurence
The fact that Unified is not on the government’s preferred panel of security suppliers is troubling. In a rushed procurement process, it raises questions about how the company was appointed to manage quarantine hotels. However the issue is NOT that the company is Indigenous-owned
The interpretation that "social inclusion" led to this is misguided. The issue is that a Victorian Department of Jobs "executive director of employment" was seconded into a role to oversee quarantine hotel procurement, & subsequently awarded outside the preferred panel.
Governments adopt procedures to encourage procurement from Aboriginal-owned businesses in response to ongoing low rate of contracts awarded to Aboriginal suppliers
Companies involved should face consequences. The bigger issue is Gov mismanagement, NOT the race of company owners
Companies involved should face consequences. The bigger issue is Gov mismanagement, NOT the race of company owners
Did "social inclusion" lead quarantine hotels to increase community infections, or do senior officials have a responsibility to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees? Hiring from mates or to hit the target of your Department is not "social inclusion"
Instead of whipping up another race moral panic about COVID-19 pandemic, journalists can ask questions like
Did a senior executive declare conflict of interest when approving procurement outside the preferred list?
Did they have personal ties to the other companies awarded?
Did a senior executive declare conflict of interest when approving procurement outside the preferred list?
Did they have personal ties to the other companies awarded?
The COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry will begin public hearings on 17 August. If this is the lack of critical thinking we can expect from a major newspaper, we're in strife
Misdirection on race contributes to public confusion. We need quality journalism from health experts.
Misdirection on race contributes to public confusion. We need quality journalism from health experts.
It goes without saying, but the other two companies awarded quarantine hotel contracts, Wilson & MSS, go without having the race of their company owners getting a mention. Both companies are involved in pay disputes, suggesting they were not ideal choices https://theconversation.com/melbournes-hotel-quarantine-bungle-is-disappointing-but-not-surprising-it-was-overseen-by-a-flawed-security-industry-142044
Why is the race of 1 company owner newsworthy but not the other 2? Whiteness means White people's race is normal & neutral, so it goes unmentioned. Racial minorities are "other" so their race is marked for suspicion, even when White senior officials are responsible for quarantine
Another race choice: The Age & Sydney Morning Herald have chosen NOT to name the senior official in the story
That's good. The Inquiry & internal processes should deal with this matter
But the papers DID publish the names AND photos of Black women who broke quarantine rules...
That's good. The Inquiry & internal processes should deal with this matter
But the papers DID publish the names AND photos of Black women who broke quarantine rules...
Critical race theories shows race is systemic. This is an example:
Officials in charge of state quarantine made decisions that led to pandemic spreading across the state. Their race gives them an advantage to gain political power, but their decisions don't reflect on their race
Officials in charge of state quarantine made decisions that led to pandemic spreading across the state. Their race gives them an advantage to gain political power, but their decisions don't reflect on their race
Women of colour who break quarantine as ordinary citizens are demonised. They have no power but race is seen as central to their "deviance"
Government officials have institutional authority & responsibility. They keep their jobs & anonymity plus their race is never on trial
Government officials have institutional authority & responsibility. They keep their jobs & anonymity plus their race is never on trial
