It’s time for the State Government to renounce its emergency powers, says an independent MP

An independent MP is calling for Tasmania’s State of Emergency to be lifted, removing the State Government’s powers to force people to stay at home and keep the borders closed.

THE current State of Emergency declared for the coronavirus pandemic should be lifted as soon as possible, independent MP Madeleine Ogilvie said today.

Welcoming the government’s decision to ease restrictions to Stage Two early, the member for Clark said it was a chance to revitalise businesses which have been patiently waiting to resume trade.

But she said that the State of Emergency was too blunt an instrument and there was a need for a more nuanced way of managing the state’s path out of the coronavirus pandemic rather than maintaining sweeping powers in the hands of the Director of Public Health and the State Emergency Controller.

“I support lifting the State of Emergency at the earliest possible moment,” she said.

Independent MP Madeleine Ogilvie said the emergency powers need to be replaced with updated, existing legislation. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“At this stage a preferred model in my view is to update existing legislation to enable ongoing management rather than extend the State of Emergency,” she said.

There are currently two emergency declarations in force in Tasmania.

The State of Emergency Declaration gives extensive powers to the State Controller Darren Hine.

Those powers have been used to restrict interstate arrivals and aircraft movements and remain in force until June 11.

The Public Health Emergency Declaration has allowed the Director of Public Health Mr Mark Veitch variously order the closure of businesses, the stay at home orders and the enforcement of quarantine and self-isolation orders.

That declaration is renewed every seven days.

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Premier Peter Gutwein said both were likely to remain in force for some time.

“The State of Emergency normally runs for a maximum period of 12 weeks and that’s currently under review,” he said.

“My expectation would be that will probably be rolled over for a period of time until at least we are clear in terms of what we are doing with our borders.

“The public health emergency will be a matter for Dr Veitch and his colleagues to determine how long that remains in place but whilst we’re in a State of Emergency I’d expect that would likewise remain in place.”