State aces TA on quarantine

THE state government has shot down suggestions taxpayers would be helping to quarantine Australian Open stars, with the bill for the program expected to be $40m.

Victoria has recorded 14 straight days without local coronavirus cases and three infections in hotel quarantine.

Confusion reigned on Wednesday after Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley told 3AW the state government was “absolutely” chipping in funding.

But Police Minister Lisa Neville was quick to insist Tennis Australia would pay the $40m needed.

In December, Treasurer Tim Pallas flagged the government could help with costs associated with delaying the Open, but an agreement was later struck that the state would cover upfront expenses with the expectation of being repaid in full.

Ms Neville said the government would be sending a bill once costs were determined.

“Hotel quarantine for the Australian Open was fully funded by Tennis Australia,” she said.

“I have triple checked that today.

“We are asking Australians, for example, to contribute to the hotel costs so it seemed appropriate to us that also tennis players or their associations contribute.

“In this case, we believed that it’s appropriate for a private commercial event . . . That they paid for the whole cost.”

A Tennis Australia spokeswoman confirmed it was funding the program, with Mr Tiley’s comments relating to separate negotiations.

“The Victorian Government support relates to ongoing discussions about funding for an extension to the agreement to host the AO in Melbourne and a range of other assets to help promote the city and the state, domestically and internationally,” she said.

Of the three infections reported in hotel quarantine on Wednesday, one was linked to the Open.

Another three cases were discovered, including a player believed to be shedding the virus, and will be reported in Thursday’s numbers.

It brings the total number of positive cases linked to the tournament to 10.

Ms Neville said authorities were confident the player was not infectious but every precaution would be taken.

“DHHS will go and look at those test results closely to see if it’s shedding,” she said.

“For now they and their bubble will not be training.

“We have to know if they are shedding or positive.”

Of the more than 1200 tennis players and personnel required to quarantine, 72 players are in hard lockdown following positive results for people on flights into Melbourne.