Daniel Andrews’ pandemic Bill bungle shows you should keep enemies close

That the Andrews government could simply ignore the potential return of Adem Somyurek to vote on its pandemic Bill smacks of either political arrogance or gross naivety.

The state government’s bungled handling of its controversial pandemic management Bill could yet go down as one of the greatest own goals in recent political history.

After months of secret negotiations with three chosen crossbenchers, the government brashly unveiled the proposed new laws three weeks ago, confident they would be swiftly waved through parliament.

It was on the working assumption that with those crossbenchers on board, it had the simple majority needed to pass the laws in readiness for the expiry of the current state of emergency.

That the government could simply ignore the potential return of Adem Somyurek to vote on the Bill smacks of either political arrogance or gross political naivety.

Many are accusing Adem Somyurek as wanting to exact revenge on Daniel Andrews. Picture: Getty Images

Somyurek may have enjoyed a self-imposed absence from parliament since he was booted out of the Labor Party amid branch stacking allegations in June last year.

But as an elected representative he remains free to attend and take part in parliament. Indeed, it is incumbent upon him to do so.

The motive behind his comeback has been questioned by frustrated MPs, with many accusing him of wanting to exact revenge on Daniel Andrews rather than out of any genuine desire to improve bad policy.

Somyurek says he was so concerned about the potential abuse of power under the new laws, he felt compelled to act.

As a former minister in this very government he would know. In overlooking his return, or choosing to ignore it, the government has now set itself the herculean task of rewriting a Bill that is acceptable to an already hostile crossbench.

That is what the few crossbenchers who may be open to eventually voting in its favour have demanded.

The government needs to shore up just one more vote to pass the Bill.

But in parliament on Tuesday each of the crossbenchers currently opposed to the Bill – apart from Mr Somyurek whose position won’t shift – vehemently opposed it in its current form.

Sustainable Australia’s Clifford Hayes told the government to go “back to the drawing board”.

Jeff Bourman, from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, said it was time to “gut the whole Bill”.

Adem Somyurek says he was so concerned about the potential abuse of power under the new laws, he felt compelled to act. Picture: AAP

Rodney Barton of the Transport Matters Party slammed the government’s refusal to consult with him and deny his constituents a voice.

The government remains confident it can get one more crossbencher onside. It won’t be easy, and it could be costly.

But less than a month before Victoria’s state of emergency expires, without the possibility of an extension, it won’t be half as hard, or half as costly, as the consequence of not getting the Bill passed. Which puts each crossbencher in a very powerful position.

As for Mr Somyurek, there’s a reason they say you should keep your friends close but your enemies closer.

Originally published as Daniel Andrews’ pandemic Bill bungle shows you should keep enemies close