VIC Active takes political sides in urging fitness sector to back state opposition

Frustrated at Victoria’s ongoing Coronavirus lockdown, industry body VIC Active has turned its back on the apolitical approach usually adopted by industry associations and is urging its stakeholders to vote for the Coalition between the Liberal and National parties at the next state election.

In a series of posts on its Facebook page, VIC Active, formed last year to represent the state's fitness sector in engaging with the Victorian (Labor) Government during the pandemic, asks "are (Victorian Premier Daniel) Andrews, (Victorian Chief Medical Officer Brett) Sutton and (Victorian COVID-19 Commander Jeroen) Weimer fit to lead Victoria?

"VIC Active needs you to think about this vital question ..."

Posted yesterday, when Melbourne became the most 'locked down' city in the world during the pandemic, it goes on to advise "VIC Active grudgingly supported the first four lockdowns on the basis that despite the carnage inflicted on the community they did return a zero-infection number.

"But as soon as the Delta strain infected our community it was all bets off.

"Lockdown 6 was to be a seven-day snap lockdown - we are not (sic) approaching 50 days and ti will be 75 days before we reach the mandated vaccine thresholds which will mean we can reopen.

"VIC Active has advocated that the fitness industry provides an essential service that is vital if citizens are to maintain their physical and mental health.

"And we have proved on many occasions that despite their paranoia, fitness centres are COVIDSafe.

"To this day, there has not been one infection that has proven to have originated in a commercial fitness centre in Victoria since March 2020.

"To claim otherwise is simply false."

Going on to cite the importance of small business owners in fitness, the post then advises "VIC Active has been in constant dialogue with the Victorian Opposition for several months now."

Then referring to Victorian Opposition members by their full names, the post continues "Matthew Guy (the recently appointed Victorian Opposition leader), David James Southwick (State Opposition member), Michael O'Brien (State Opposition member and Victorian Treasurer), Georgie Crozier (State Opposition member) and David Hodgett (State Opposition member) have made it clear that they support VIC Active, our members, our stade and the physical and mental health of the Victorian community.

"They acknowledge that fitness centres should be open now and that Victorians should be moving.

"The next state elections is just over 12 months away.

"VIC Active asks you to start thinking about who you will reward with your vote."

The post then concludes "the ALP and its grossly incompetent public servants - or a Coalition that respects Victorians and understand that small business underpins the economy?

"We think the answer is simple. Over 1,000,000 Victorians regularly attend gyms.

"Vic Active and its members can make a difference."

Lower images show extracts from VIC Active's posts.