Businesses impacted by one of the world's longest COVID-19 lockdowns will receive $125 million from taxpayers.
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Businesses impacted by one of the world’s longest COVID-19 lockdowns will receive $125 million from taxpayers after a state government agreed to settle the matter.
A class action was brought in the Supreme Court on behalf of businesses impacted financially by Victoria’s 2020 lockdowns.
Retail businesses, including lead plaintiff 5 Boroughs NY Pty Ltd, argued the state government should pay them for economic loss resulting from the lockdown as customers were prevented from attending their physical businesses, due to restrictions between July and October.
Businesses impacted by one of the world's longest COVID-19 lockdowns will receive $125 million from taxpayers.
Businesses impacted by Victoria’s long COVID-19 lockdowns will receive $125 million from taxpayers.(AP)
The Victorian government confirmed the settlement outside of court today, saying it continues to stand by “the steps it took during the pandemic to keep Victorians safe”.

The state has announced an agreement to resolve a longstanding issue, according to a spokesperson.

“The parties involved have reached a $125 million settlement, which will prevent extended legal battles,” the spokesperson stated.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, the law firm representing the class action, noted that the settlement marks the end of “years of intense litigation” on behalf of affected businesses.

“This is a major victory for eligible businesses,” said Damian Scattini, a partner at the firm, in a statement. “The period from July to October 2020 posed extraordinary challenges for Victorian retail businesses.”

Scattini added, “The $125 million settlement we secured acknowledges the hardships faced and aims to provide some relief to eligible businesses.”

The application for settlement approval has been postponed to a date yet to be determined.

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