Justice MP Stuart Grimley rules out backing six month state of emergency extension
Extending government powers for six months that stop gatherings, keep businesses closed, and enforce COVID-19 positive isolation won’t be supported by at least one local crossbench MP.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
EXTENDING state government powers for six months that stop gatherings, keep businesses closed, and enforce COVID-19 positive isolation won’t be supported by a Torquay MP.
Instead Victorian Leader of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party, Stuart Grimley, who has one of the decisive votes, said he’d consider a three-month extension to the government’s state of emergency (SOE) powers, if exemptions were granted to rural areas which are long COVID-19 free.
SOE powers, due to end on September 13, give the government the ability to impose or repeal restrictions.
Premier Daniel Andrews will seek to continue the powers via a Bill through parliament next week, and it appears likely the government will seek a six-month extension.
Asked if a six-month extension would pass parliament, Mr Grimley said: “It’s going to be close. To me this legislation is very much up in the air.”
Mr Grimley and party colleague Tania Maxwell hold two of 12 crossbench votes — four of which the government needs to pass extend its SOE powers.
“The last I heard was they (the government) were looking at six months which is too long for us,” Mr Grimley said.
A third crossbench vote will come from Geelong-based MP Andy Meddick who appears likely to support the government on the time frame that’s taken to parliament.
Asked if he would support a six-month extension Mr Meddick said: “If that’s what has to be done because we can’t do anything else then yes I would. The alternative, without any restriction, is too hard to contemplate.”
Opposition leader Michael O’Brien called for month-to-month extensions of SOE powers approved by parliament, and for the SOE to end when the state had no active COVID-19 cases.
MORE NEWS:
BEACHGOERS WARNED TO STAY APART AS WEATHER WARMS UP
COUNCIL ORDERED TO TAKE ‘URGENT ACTION’ ON DUMP SITE
GEELONG’S VERY “COVID SAFE” CHRISTMAS PLANS
Originally published as Justice MP Stuart Grimley rules out backing six month state of emergency extension