As of 11.59 pm on Wednesday, July 8, residents of Melbourne went back into stage three restrictions following a daily rise in COVID-19 cases.
One regional area, Mitchell Shire, just north of Melbourne, also returned to restrictions.
“At last the city-focused Labor Party is recognising that regional Victoria needs to be treated as a distinct entity,” Mr Quilty said.
“All through this coronavirus crisis, regional Victorians have been paying the price for Melbourne’s problems. I’m delighted that this attitude has changed.
“I have been calling for different treatment of the regions for months, and I am so glad they have finally listened to us.
“I’m very sorry to hear that Mitchell Shire has being thrown in with Melbourne, however. I wish that all of Northern Victoria could be outside the lockdown.”
Mr Quilty has long called for regional Victoria to separate from Melbourne, what he has referred to as "Rexit", after years of city-focused government from office blocks overlooking the Yarra.
“I don’t expect Rexit to happen, much as I’d like it to, but the idea of regional Victoria receiving the respect it deserves will always be at the heart of what I do as Member for Northern Victoria,” Mr Quilty said.
“Regional Victorians are proud, hard-working and sensible people who are acutely aware and rightfully resentful of the punishments they receive from metropolitan governments.
“City life and city regulations don’t fit in with life in regional Victoria – at last Mr Andrews is recognising this, at least as regards the virus restrictions.”
