A judge determined that the Victorian government’s decision to shut down I Cook Foods, a hospitality firm, due to claims of a listeria epidemic, lacked basis.
The’slug gate’ trial came to an end this morning when owner Ian Cook learned he would not receive compensation for the event, which he claimed had “killed” his family business. That was a bittersweet ending to the case.
Before closing its doors in 2019, the Melbourne company provided thousands of meals to hospitals and assisted living facilities around Victoria.
In 2019, it was shut down by former chief health officer Brett Sutton following the death of an elderly patient at Knox Private Hospital, where listeriosis was thought to have played a role.
The hospital’s caterer was I Cook Foods. Judge Michael McDonald of the Victorian Supreme Court ruled today that the previous chief health officer Brett Sutton’s order was void.
Justice McDonald stated in his decision that Dr. Sutton had not followed procedural fairness but refuted the claim that he had behaved carelessly.
Ian Cook has continually denied any involvement and stated slugs had been planted in his business, contributing to its demise.
He claimed that as a result of the trauma, his employees lost their jobs and the $26 million company lost all of its contracts. As a result, the family had to sell the factory to cover the cost of legal bills.
“The court has ruled that something was wrong, but there is no compensation for myself, my family or my employees,” he stated.
“You can’t just close businesses without any consequence, you can’t destroy people’s lives without any consequences.”
An emotional Cook declared outside of court that he intended to file a lawsuit against the Greater Dandenong Council and would keep pursuing compensation.
Additionally, he has declared his candidacy for the Mulgrave seat, which was previously held by former Premier Daniel Andrews.
“We will continue to fight, we’ve been doing this for ourselves and all other Victorians,” he added.”
