Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton apologises to Afghan community
Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has apologised to the state’s Afghan community after he “inadvertently called out Afghanistan” while discussing coronavirus cases in south-east Melbourne.
Professor Sutton opened his coronavirus briefing on Saturday by saying sorry to the community, after his comments earlier this week drew criticism from the Afghan Australian Community of Victoria.
The AACV expressed concern that recent media reporting and the chief health officer’s comments would lead to the “scapegoating of an entire community”.
Professor Sutton had been addressing COVID-19 cases in the Casey local government area on Monday when he said he had offered to personally speak to the community “having been to Afghanistan a couple of times over the years”.
“I want to be able to reflect on my cultural experiences and the fact I know that there are universal motivations that every family has to do the right thing to protect their own families and the wider community,” Professor Sutton said.
In his apology on Saturday, the chief health officer said he had “inadvertently called out Afghanistan” and it was inappropriate.
Professor Sutton said he had volunteered in the country a couple of times, and loved and respected its people.
