A member of Victoria's influential Fox family is blaming politics for a "frustrating" lack of progress on a proposed COVID-19 quarantine facility.
David Fox, the executive chairman of Avalon Airport near Geelong, said it would be a "piece of cake" to build a facility there within six months, potentially for less than $100 million.
The Commonwealth is considering a Victorian government proposal for a $200 million facility at Mickleham, north of Melbourne.
Avalon Airport is the state government's alternative site for a facility.
Mr Fox wondered if Avalon's interest was being hamstrung by his family's social connections with Premier Daniel Andrews.
His father is trucking magnate Lindsay Fox.
"From a national point of view and a state point of view, a quarantine facility is an absolute no-brainer," Mr Fox told 3AW.
"Maybe it's the politics that's (causing) delays at the moment, but we're certainly ready to put our hand up.
"If some people want to make accusations and assumptions in regards to the Fox family benefiting from government, well, you can't pinpoint it to the state government.
"We are friends with Liberal and Labor parties across the country."
The state government proposed the Mickleham facility late last month and Mr Fox said on Tuesday that lack of a Commonwealth decision is "extremely frustrating".
"We're uncertain as to where the federal government stand on this," he said.
"We need to identify what is required ... we can start on this tomorrow with the support of the state government."
Mr Fox added that Avalon was struggling to have meetings with the state government.
"The reality is, we can't talk to politicians due to ... people (making) assumptions that we're gaining benefits through friends in government," he said.
"That's so not the case ... we have nothing to hide."
Mr Fox said if they had the go-ahead to build a facility at Avalon, it could have extra features such as sports facilities so cricketers and tennis players could use it as a quarantine hub.
Acting Premier James Merlino also said on Tuesday that negotiations with the Commonwealth on the Mickleham plan are progressing well.
"I saw those comments (from Mr Fox) and as we outlined the preferred site in terms of the independent examination is Mickleham, the alternate site is Avalon," he said.
"Both are good sites. There is no bickering going on with the Commonwealth, they are very constructive talks that are happening between state and Commonwealth officials and I'm hopeful of a positive outcome."
Victoria has gone 81 days without a local COVID-19 infection.
The state health department has announced that from Tuesday, people will have to provide their surname when they use its QR code to check in at a venue.
Australian Associated Press
