Brett Sutton (doctor)

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In early February 2019, an elderly woman died at the Knox Private Hospital and was certified as having listeria (a bacterium Listeria monocytogenes ) infection. Sandwiches supplied by I Cook Foods were alleged as the source. On 22 February, Sutton announced a public health alert and closure of I Cook Foods. [21] The company owner, Ian Cook blamed Sutton of reckless decision and accused health inspector Elizabeth Garlick of planting the slug, which was taken as evidence of unhygienic condition of the factory. [22]

A whistleblower from the Greater Dandenong Council Kim Rogerson came up with evidences of doctored images on the presence of slug. [23] An Australian parliamentary inquiry in 2021 found that evidences were overlooked that led to "considerable confusion". [24] A legal battle in the High Court of Australia ended in November 2023, with the court blaming Sutton for unfairly closing the food company. [25]

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Slug gate, also written slug-gate, stylised as Slug Gate or SlugGate, is a public health scandal and controversy involving a catering firm I Cook Foods, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Greater Dandenong City Council of Victoria, Australia. In early February 2019, a woman died at the Knox Private Hospital and her post-mortem report showed listeria infection. An investigation supposedly linked sandwiches supplied by I Cook Foods as the source. On 22 February, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton made a public statement on the health alert and issued an order to close down I Cook Foods. As one of the evidences of unhygienic condition at the food factory, health inspector Elizabeth Garlick claimed that she found a slug at the premise. The slug became a centre of controversy as the chances of being there are inconceivable. The company owner, Ian Cook blamed Sutton of reckless decision and accused Garlick of planting the slug.

References

  1. 1 2 Simons, Margaret (28 November 2020). "How the making of Brett Sutton got him through pandemic and kept Premier's faith". The Age . Melbourne. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  2. "About the Chief Health Officer". Department of Health. Victorian Government. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Silva, Kristian (14 June 2020). "How a family tragedy shaped Brett Sutton's journey to become Victoria's Chief Health Officer". Melbourne: ABC News . Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  4. "MHSOBA Newsletter - March 2020". Melbourne High School Old Boys Association. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  5. "Professor Brett Sutton". James Cook University. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  6. Fowler, Bella (27 October 2020). "Brett Sutton once starred on Channel 7 reality show Medical Emergency". News.com.au . Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  7. Woolley, Summer (27 October 2020). "Brett Sutton fans lose it after decade-old reality TV show footage surfaces". Seven News . Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  8. "About the Chief Health Officer". health.vic. Department of Health and Human Services . Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  9. "Dr Brett Sutton appointed Victoria's Chief Health Officer". health.vic. Department of Health and Human Services. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  10. "Brett Sutton has 'enough to get on with' during Victoria's coronavirus crisis without state controller role, Daniel Andrews says". ABC News. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  11. Clayton, Rachel (16 August 2020). "Why Victoria needs both state of emergency and state of disaster powers to fight coronavirus". ABC News . Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  12. Tuffield, Rhiannon (16 March 2021). "Brett Sutton says he felt 'great' as a father during the coronavirus pandemic in Victoria". The Australian . Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  13. "Covid in Australia: Melbourne to exit 112-day lockdown". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  14. Scott, Dylan (4 December 2020). "How Melbourne eradicated Covid-19". Vox . Vox Media . Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  15. Longbottom, Jessica (27 November 2020). "Brett Sutton, Daniel Andrews evidence released by COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry". ABC News . Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  16. Baker, Richard; Mills, Tammy; Fowler, Michael; Le Grand, Chip (27 November 2020). "Previously withheld hotel quarantine emails show Sutton's turf war with emergency managers". The Age . Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  17. Willingham, Richard; Harrison, Dan (21 December 2020). "Victorian hotel quarantine inquiry report unable to determine who made private security decision". ABC News.
  18. "Dr Brett Sutton". Australian Honours Search Facility. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  19. Elliott, Tom (26 January 2024). "'He doesn't deserve it': Tom Elliott calls for Brett Sutton to hand back Order of Australia honour". 3AW. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  20. Hannaford, Patrick (26 January 2024). "'He should hand it back': 3AW radio host Tom Elliott 'horrified' after Brett Sutton receives Australia Day award". Sky News Australia. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  21. Harvey, Gareth (2022). "'Slug Gate': The health scandal that sparked two Victorian Parliamentary Inquiries". 9now.nine.com.au. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  22. Estcourt, David (2 August 2023). "Brett Sutton destroyed catering business, owner argues, as 'slug gate' trial begins". The Age. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  23. Lucadou-Wells, Cam (30 August 2021). "Slug was 'planted': whistleblower". Star Journal. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  24. Whitworth, Joe (19 October 2021). "I Cook Foods inquiry not misled but evidence errors caused confusion". Food Safety News. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  25. Silva, Kristian (13 November 2023). "Former CHO Brett Sutton's decision in 'slug gate' saga unfair, court finds". ABC News. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
Brett Sutton
AO
Brett Sutton 2016.jpg
Chief Health Officer of Victoria
In office
21 March 2019 (2019-03-21) 29 July 2023