THE Supreme Court and the High Court last week ruled against lockdown-related cases mounted separately by two Mornington Peninsula restaurant owners.
Michelle Loielo may be facing the state government’s legal costs after her failed bid to persuade the Supreme Court that the curfew was unreasonable, disproportionate and violated the human rights of millions of Victorians.
Ms Loielo, who runs Unica Cucina E Caffe in Capel Sound, has said that the loss of revenue from the business could lead to the loss of her home.
Ms Loielo, of Frankston South, previously told The News that she would seek Liberal party endorsement to contest the 2022 election for the state seat of Nepean now held by Labor’s Chris Brayne (“Court challenge to power of the Premier”, The News 21/9/20).
“It is suffocating to think that inch by inch these [restrictive] decisions are being made. I would oppose them no matter which political leader or party was making them – leaders need to be accountable,” Ms Loielo said.
Meanwhile, the High Court dismissed Sorrento restaurateur Julian Gerner’s argument that the COVID-19 lockdown breached an implied constitutional right to freedom of movement.
Lawyers for the state government said that was incorrect and urged the court to not proceed as the further lifting of restrictions on movement would be announced on Sunday (8 November).
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 November 2020
