The Greens, the Animal Justice Party and the Reason Party combined with Labor to push the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (State of Emergency Extension and Other Matters) Bill 2020 through the Upper House yesterday. The long sitting went deep into the night. Labor and their cross bench mates combined to use a gag order four times to close down questioning and debate on key clauses. This undemocratic act is like a knife in the heart of our democracy.
Daniel Andrews and Labor are seeking a suite of new powers and an extension of State of Emergency powers for six months. This arrogant grab for power will see Labor continue to lock down major areas of the Victorian economy and community over coming months with few checks and balances. The Liberals have said Parliament should be sitting to hold Andrews accountable for the exercise of his sweeping powers.
The crucial votes saw the Greens’ Samantha Ratnam, the Reason Party’s Fiona Patten and the Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick turn a deaf ear to their communities siding with Andrews and Labor. Andrews has fundamentally weakened democracy in Victoria, a matter which concerns me greatly. See my contribution to the second reading debate here.