Vic Govt. faces backlash over State of Emergency extension

• The State Opposition in Victoria won’t support the Victorian Premier’s push to extend State of Emergency powers for another 12 months
• Currently, a State of Emergency can only last six months, but Daniel Andrews wants that extended to 18 months in total
• Victoria has been in a State of Emergency since March 16, and the Premier argues in order to contain COVID-19, the powers need to be extended
• Under the emergency orders, the Andrews Government can impose strict lockdown conditions
• But the Liberal Party won’t support extending the State of Emergency and has labelled the move a “power grab”
• The extension is expected to be debated in State Parliament next week

The State Opposition won’t support the Victorian Government’s push to extend State of Emergency powers for another 12 months, in order to deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Premier Daniel Andrews is pushing for the extension, as currently, a State of Emergency can only last for six months. The state is fast approaching that deadline, as Victoria first declared a state of emergency, in relation to COVID-19 on March 16.

Premier Andrews argues the emergency orders need to be extended for another 12 months, in order for his state to deal with the ongoing pandemic, which has killed over 400 Victorians and left all of Melbourne in strict rolling lockdowns.

But, Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien argues if any extension is needed, it should be for a shorter period of time than 12 months. His party will not provide legislative support to get the extension passed in State Parliament.

“The Opposition — the Liberals and Nationals — will be opposing this power grab with everything we’ve got,” he said.

Andrews’ power grab – trying to extend his State of Emergency powers over you to 18 months – is outrageous.

Labor’s hotel quarantine scandal caused this 2nd wave but Victorians are paying the price.

The Vic Liberal Nationals will fight this attack on the rights of Victorians. pic.twitter.com/w1gCZzpnIy

— Michael O’Brien (@michaelobrienmp) August 24, 2020

“It’s quite clear, Daniel Andrews only has a plan to keep us locked down. He doesn’t have a plan to get us out of lockdown,” Michael argued.

“There is no justification for a year-long extension to these state of emergency powers,” he added.

The Opposition Leader also took aim at Andrews, blaming him for the huge second wave of infections in Melbourne which have killed hundreds.

“This is a premier who thinks he knows it all when Victoria is the only state going through a second wave because of his government’s hotel quarantine failure.”

Victoria’s Opposition Leader, Michael O’Brien

The Liberal Party’s views are also supported by former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, who has been critical of Andrews in the past.

Premier Andrews has no appreciation of the damage he is doing to Victorian industry,
Today’s comments are those of a meglamanic
Upper House MP’s must prevent the this act of industrial terrorism!

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) August 24, 2020

However, the Premier is standing firm, claiming the State of Emergency needs to be extended in order to keep all Victorians safe.

In particular, Andrews argues the COVID-19 lockdowns and wider restrictions are the only defence the state has against the virus until a vaccine becomes available.

“If a vaccine were to appear next year, then many of those rules will not be needed. But we have to assume that vaccine won’t be here,” he said.

The State Government is expected to introduce a bill extending the State of Emergency in Victorian Parliament next week.