A couple of reflections after a weekend watching and speaking to residents on Victoria’s public housing estates. Not surprisingly, there is a diversity of views among residents ranging from fury, through to distress fear and relief that problems are being dealt with, but ...1/4

There is one story I have heard universally. Despite Department of Housing and @rwynnemp statements to contrary ALL the dozens of residents I spoke to say there has been inadequate attention to cleaning shared spaces, lift maintenance, hand sanitiser, info in languages. 2/4

The department’s and ministers account simply contradicts the lived experience of residents. So what’s gone wrong? Who are the contractors? What are they paid? What happens to residents complaints when lodged, as they have been? Questions for the long term and this week. 3/4

Now focus has to be on getting residents through this safely. That means continued scrutiny, including by media, of police and authorities but also care in amplifying respected voices from the community and those with knowledge rather than outsider hot takes and culture warriors.