Victorian government’s pandemic bill passed into law

Daniel Andrews has secured sweeping new powers that triggered widespread protests.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has secured controversial pandemic powers.

The proposed legislation cleared Victoria’s upper house and finally passed the legislative assembly – where Labor has a majority – just after 7pm on Thursday, to become law.

The law shifts responsibility for declaring pandemics from health officials to the Premier.

Protesters remained camped outside Parliament House in Melbourne throughout the debate. Picture: Sarah Matray / NCA NewsWire

Mr Andrews said the laws would give the state a framework to keep Victoria open and safe.

“We need a set of rules because this pandemic is not over,” he said.

“In order to protect our staff, in order to protect the vulnerable, and in order to keep us safe and keep us open, we have to recognise in everything that we do that this is not over.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said the new rules were ‘necessary’ to keep the state safe during the pandemic. Picture: David Crosling / NCA NewsWire

The government was forced to make various changes to the bill, including reducing penalties and cutting release times for pandemic decisions.

Mr Andrews said the laws, which will replace state of emergency powers, were necessary.

“There are still things that have to be done, rules that need to be in place – none of them will be on for a moment longer than they need to be,” he said.

“We’ve worked very hard, back and forth, line by line.”