Bayside coronavirus: Thousands against state of emergency extension
Pressure is mounting on Premier Daniel Andrews to abandon a plan to extend the state of emergency until September 2021. See what your MP thinks.
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A petition to stop a plan to extend the state of emergency by another 12 months has gathered 22,000 signatures in less than two days.
The plan, flagged by Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday, would mean existing restrictions including wearing masks, business closures, travel bans, quarantine arrangements and curfews could remain in place until September 2021.
The petition was started by Opposition leader Michael O’Brien and is backed by the Victorian Liberal Nationals.
It calls on people to oppose the “unprecedented power grab”.
“The State of Emergency vests enormous power with the Premier and a small number of unelected officials with little capacity for oversight and accountability,” the petition states.
“At a time of crisis, rather than bypassing parliament, the institutions we rely upon for our freedom and liberties are more important.
“No government should write itself a blank cheque for such extraordinary powers over Victorians’ lives and livelihoods.
“State of Emergency powers must only operate under appropriate safeguards and scrutiny.”
A social media poll conducted by Leader revealed many Baysiders were also against the plan.
“That level of power is a dictatorship, not a democracy,” Tania Olson posted
“If measures need to be put in place beyond September 14, the government can put them to the parliament and to our elected MPs. To do otherwise is wrong – un-Victorian and undemocratic.”
Gina Maree said the price for continued restrictions was too high.
“The mental, emotional, physical and financial devastation these lockdowns are causing is absolutely heartbreaking,” she posted.
Not all were against the move to extend the state of emergency.
Suzy Burge said it was necessary to stop coronavirus
“This isn’t about control, it’s about protecting the community and allowing the experts to make informed decisions … and backing it with legal requirements.”
The petition to stop the extension was supported by Bayside Liberal MPs James Newbury and Brad Rowswell.
Mr Newbury, who is the MP for Brighton, said he would vote against the extension plan when parliament next sat.
“Total power should not be unaccountable. Victorians want to do the right thing, but that shouldn’t allow any politician to have permanent power,” he said.
Mr Rowswell, who is the Sandringham MP, said he had received thousands of emails and phone calls from people against the plan.
“By contrast I have received 2 emails supporting the extension. It is evident that the majority of Victorians do not agree with this decision,” he said.
He urged people to sign the petition and share it with their friends and family.
Labor MP for Bentleigh Nick Staikos said extending the state of emergency did not mean all Stage 4 restrictions would continue.
“None of us want these current restrictions in place for a minute longer than they need to be,” he said.
“But the idea that we don’t need any rules after September is unrealistic.
“We just cannot be in a situation where the Chief Health Officer does not have any power to manage this pandemic, including directing people with the virus to isolate.”
Mr Staikos said Victoria was the only state in Australia had a limit on the number of times a state of emergency could be extended.
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