Federal MPs in Melbourne urged to get to Canberra as Victoria enters five-day lockdown

An urgent email sent to federal MPs urges them to get to Canberra by car or plane as Victoria enters a snap lockdown.

Victorian MPs are being urged to return to Parliament by midnight tonight as the state considers a short lockdown. AAP Image/James Gourley

Melbourne MPs have been urgently advised to fly or drive to Canberra before midnight to attend parliament next week with the Victorian government ordering a snap five-day lockdown for the state.

Victoria enters its third lockdown as a cluster of cases linked to Victoria’s hotel quarantine system grows to 13.

An email seen by NCA NewsWire that was sent to MPs on Friday said it was “highly recommended any Members who are in the greater Melbourne area bring forward their travel plans to arrive in Canberra today, Friday, February 12.

“There are currently no border restrictions for Victoria with the ACT, except for individuals who have been in the exposure sites connected with the (Holiday Inn) outbreak.

“We understand that chief health officers are meeting to discuss the developing situation. We will circulate any relevant updates on the situation from ACT Health when available.”

Federal MPs based in the state’s capital were on Friday morning urgently booking seats on commercial flights to get to the ACT in time for the sitting fortnight of federal parliament.

Federal Labor MP Julian Hill is among the members making the dash from VIC to the ACT. He is in the middle of a seven-hour drive to the nation’s capital and said there was considerable traffic.

“I packed a bag last night just in case,” Mr Hill told NCA NewsWire. “I'm on the road at the moment in central Victoria and it seems like a pretty crowded highway.

“We have an obligation to be present for the sitting periods of national parliament so I agree with the recall to Canberra.”

Labor member for Bruce Julian Hill.

The PM was in Melbourne on Friday, but insisted it was not his role to “run commentaries on premiers”.

“He said he had not been briefed by the Victorian government on Friday, and refused to speculate on Premier Andrews’ announcement.

“I will let the Premier … weigh up the things that he has to weigh up in making any decisions here in Victoria,” he told reporters.

“I don’t think it would be fair for me to be making comments in advance of what he may or may not announce.

“I think that is the right thing for public confidence.”

He denied the outbreak would prompt the Therapeutic Goods Administration to issue emergency approval for the AstraZeneca vaccine.