Labor MPs have forced through the Andrews Government’s controversial bid to hold onto the power to make decisions over Victorian’s lives and livelihoods.
The changes to State of Emergency legislation went before the lower house of State Parliament this afternoon, with Labor MPs using their numbers to push through a six month extension.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said The Nationals had voted against the long timeframe because it granted an unprecedented amount of power over the lives of Victorians.
“A six-month extension to the State of Emergency powers, no checks, no balances, no safeguards, no accountability. That’s not what Victorians voted for,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Liberal Nationals supported a month-by-month extension of these powers to ensure the Government would be held accountable for its actions on the floor of the Parliament.
“Daniel Andrews has shown a blatant disregard for the safeguards that underpin democratic government.
“The Andrews Government has been desperate for any excuse to hold onto power.
“Victorians deserve democracy, they deserve accountability and they deserve transparency but that’s not what they’re getting under Daniel Andrews and his Labor Government.”
Mr Walsh said local businesses had been forced to close and local people had lost jobs as a result of the lockdowns imposed by Labor under the State of Emergency powers.
“Regional Victoria is only in the second wave of COVID-19 due to the inexcusable failures of the Andrews Labor Government including the botched hotel quarantine program and shortfalls in contact tracing,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Nationals will always stand for country Victorians’ rights and freedoms in the face of government overreach.”
Media contact: Emma Manser 0437 225 386 emma.manser@opposition.vic.gov.au