The Andrews government is yet to respond to eight key parliamentary committee reports

A new parliamentary rule has revealed several key reports are yet to be handed down by the state government, with some more than fives months overdue.

The Andrews Government is dragging its feet responding to eight key parliamentary committee reports.

The outstanding responses have been detailed for the first time under a new parliamentary rule that requires biannual reporting of late responses.

They currently include a response to an Inquiry into the health impacts of air pollution in Victoria which was due in May last year.

The government is also late responding to inquiries into Victoria’s ecosystem, renewable energy and the closure of the Hazelwood and Yallourn power stations.

The state government is late to respond to several inquiries. Picture: Luis Ascui

Parliamentary rules require responses to be tabled six months after recommendations are made by committees.

A response to an Inquiry into Victoria’s criminal justice system was due in September.

The report, tabled last March, urged the State Government to adopt a more rehabilitation-focused approach to justice.

Among a raft of sweeping reforms it recommended:

A review of bail laws to ease current tests for bail and give judicial officers more discretion to release accused people back into the community.

Expanding the eligibility to diversionary programs even for repeat offenders.

Using more community based sentencing instead of short jail terms.

Introducing home detention orders for a wide range of offences.

The committee also called for an overhaul of sentencing laws and changes to parole laws granting automatic parole for sentences under five years.

Upper house Liberal MP David Davis slammed the overdue responses.

“The Andrews Government has arrogantly thumbed its nose at rules designed to ensure the government responds to the hard work of committee members put in on behalf of the Victorian community,” he said.

Liberal MP David Davis says the delays a reflection of Andrews’ arrogance. Photo: Arsineh Houspian.

“This government has made an art form of not responding, especially where these matters are inconvenient and it feels threatened by some of these reports.

“It would rather cover up than state its true position. Daniel Andrews is so arrogant he doesn’t care about the rules, he thinks he’s beyond them.”

A government spokesman said it was working to respond to all Standing Committee reports.