Footage from the illegal St Kilda engagement party which plunged Melbourne into tighter restrictions has emerged over the weekend, leading to complaints alleging that some of the guests were actually doctors. Which is… not great, to say the least.
Last Wednesday, 69 people attended an engagement party in St Kilda, and since then nine of the guests have tested positive for COVID-19, with concerns that now the party could become a super-spreader event.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews tightened restrictions and reimposed a curfew as a result of the party, saying the revellers had made “shitty choices”.
Over the weekend, video footage emerged of the party showing the groom making fun of public health orders and joking that the party must be legal because it’s a “group therapy session.” Okay, mate.
A number of people are visible in the footage, and it has since led to an investigation by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) after complaints alleging that some of the guests are medical health professionals. Fucken YIKES.
“We are aware that Victoria Police have stated that they intend to take action with respect to individuals who attended the event. We will liaise with them in relation to any registered health practitioners who were present,” a spokesman for the AHPRA agency said, as per News.com.au.
“National Boards remind health practitioners their professional behaviour extends to acting in accordance with the law.
“All health practitioners should ensure that they are aware of their legal obligations and act in accordance with them.”
Hippocratic oath has clearly been broken when two doctors attend an illegal party that directly contributed to the spread of covid. I’m expecting to see their licences removed. #engagementparty
— Georgia Kait she/her (@Georgia_Kait) August 16, 2021
The AHPRA actually has the power to suspend medical licenses of registered health practitioners, and has reminded the public that “National Boards can and will take action for failing to comply with legal obligations in your state or territory.”
The complaints regarding the party come as Melburnians dobbing in around 1,800 public gatherings for supposedly breaching lockdown restrictions over the weekend.
