Greek Australian co-owner of Epping Gardens aged care home, which is under investigation over a major class action following the deaths 38 residents from Coronavirus, has fled to Greece, according to The Sunday Age.
Peter Arvanitis and his wife Areti reportedly left Melbourne two weeks before Christmas after receiving a travel exemption from the Australian Department of Home Affairs to attend to “essential business” in Athens.
The backlash over poor conditions at Epping Gardens where 103 residents tested positive to COVID-19 and 86 staff got infected has been overwhelming. The news of the Arvanitis’ departure has infuriated grieving relatives and affected staff even further.
“[Mr Arvanitis] has never taken any responsibility or shown any compassion. We want him to come back to Melbourne and face up to the families who have been destroyed by this,” Sam Agnello, who is lead plaintiff in a class action involving Heritage Care, said to The Sunday Age. Mr Angelo’s mother was a resident that died of Covid-19.
“[I am] unsure of my return date, depending on business progress here and of course requirements of international travellers returning home. The plan is to be home sooner rather than later,” Mr Arvanitis told The Sunday Age.
What is even more baffling is that the couple did not notify any business associates of their departure.
“I did not inform Greg Reeve as my personal business has nothing to do with Heritage Care. I do not have an executive or board role in Heritage Care, and my investment is passive. My private business has nothing to do with any employee of Heritage Care,” Mr Arvanitis explained to The Sunday Age.
Mr Arvanitis and business partner Tony Antonopoulos each own a 50 per cent stake in Heritage Care Pty Ltd, which has a portfolio of 10 aged care homes in both Sydney and Melbourne, including Epping Gardens.
As The Sunday Age reports, Heritage Care chief executive Greg Reeve was unaware of Mr Arvanitis’ departure, however, the Greek Australian mogul did resign from his role as director during the turmoil back in September.
Meanwhile, the multimillionaire’s mansion on Irving Road has been listed for sale privately. The property could be sold for up to $40 million.
On that note, Mr Arvanitis told the news outlet: “Although I am not actively looking to sell, everything has a price and only for a significant premium. If I was to sell, I have several properties in Toorak and interstate I could move into. My history in real estate demonstrates this as I have sold over 60 properties in the last five years.”
While the Arvanitis couple escapes to Greece, the deadly outbreak at Epping Gardens remains under investigation by WorkSafe and the State Coroner, in collaboration with Police. The facility will also be reassessed to determine whether or not it is still fit to hold accreditation as an aged care facility.
Finally, Greek Community members are also questioning the Arvanitis’ decision to leave the country: “We also need to know on what grounds Mr Morrison’s government allowed them to leave Australia when they were facing court and during the alleged border closures. Indeed, separately, HOW many have been granted exemptions Mr Morrison and why? But as to this couple, Mr Morrison should personally phone the Hellenic PM and ask him to send them back,” Ange T Kenos wrote on Twitter.
