Premier Daniel Andrews will be able to declare a pandemic with new bill. Image credit: YAHOO!
Victoria might be welcoming a new set of rules (pandemic bill) in the days to come. Thanks to the government majority, changes will be approved.
In an effort to impose rules and declare a national pandemic if a situation arises, the new pandemic bill will do just this.
MPs worked their way through each of the bill’s 58 clauses and 83 amendments and it has now returned to the lower house, where the changes will be approved thanks to the government’s majority.
While the bill isn’t perfect, it is a big improvement on the current bill, Ms. Webb said.
As Mr. Barton expressed his approval for the new bill, he has been on the receiving end of online abuse which includes death threats. At this time, Mr. Barton has confirmed that he and his staff are doing fine.
Several amendments were made to the bill to secure the support of Mr. Barton, including the creation of a joint parliamentary committee that can review public health orders and recommend they be overruled by a majority of both houses of parliament.
The effort to create a new pandemic bill arises out of the need to better control the state of Victoria.
“Just think about the ramifications of what that would be for this state. You can imagine how quickly the borders would be shut to us from other states.”
Presently, the government has secured the support of crossbenchers Transport Matters MP Rod Barton, Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick, Reason Party MP Fiona Patten, and Greens leader Samantha Ratnam to pass the bill.