Vital local vote from Andy Meddick gives Andrews Government longer State of Emergency power
Powers that allow COVID-19 social restrictions to be enforced, until March if needed, passed parliament on Wednesday because of the crucial vote of a Geelong MP.
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Powers that allow COVID-19 social restrictions to be enforced, until March if needed, passed parliament on Wednesday because of the crucial vote of Geelong MP Andy Meddick.
The Upper House MP’s vote was one of three the state government secured to pass laws that allow it to enforce COVID-19 positive isolation, gathering limits, mask wearing and other social restrictions.
Extensions to the State of Emergency (SOE) powers that only apply to the COVID-19 pandemic will have to be sought monthly by the government under concessions won by the crossbench that includes Torquay MP Stuart Grimley.
Victoria’s SOE is due to run out on September 13 but the legislation that passed means social restrictions could be in place until March.
A majority of Geelong Advertiser readers who responded to a poll called for a return to Stage 2 restrictions, post September 13, that allows dine-in at eateries and family visits.
About 59 per cent of 600 respondents said Stage 2 was needed, 14 per cent said Stage 3 restrictions needed to continue, 19 per cent said only masks and social distancing were needed and 8 per cent said all restrictions should be dropped post September 13.
Premier Daniel Andrews has committed to outline the state’s path out of COVID-19 lockdown on Sunday.
Mr Meddick said the extension of SOE powers did not mean the extension of lockdowns.
“Without (passing the legislation) we were faced with the situation where people who tested COVID positive would be able to move about the city of Melbourne … and into regional areas,” Mr Meddick told ABC radio.
“There is no doubt that this government has made mistakes, the hotel quarantine issue certainly.
“I didn’t want to be in a situation where I was responsible for not putting through a piece of legal framework that would allow the government and chief health officer to act to stop that sort of thing happening again.”
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The extension to SOE powers was passed after the government’s Bill got the support of Greens MP Samantha Ratnam, Reason Party MP Fiona Patten and Mr Meddick.
Western region Liberal MP Bev McArthur said: “These three MPs have betrayed their constituents and the state of Victoria, by giving this reckless government more unrestricted powers to trample on individuals’ rights and freedoms.”
Mr Grimley, who voted against the six-month extension, said he preferred month-to-month extensions.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos did not respond to questions about whether a deal was struck with any of the three crossbenchers.
Mr Meddick said last week he would not engage in “horse trading” to support the Bill.
Originally published as Vital local vote from Andy Meddick gives Andrews Government longer State of Emergency power