Victorian COVID-19 pandemic law protests flare as barristers urge government to make changes

Victorian barristers have urged the state government to halt the progression of its revamped pandemic laws through parliament, as protests over the controversial new bill continue. Key points: The Victorian Bar says the "breathtakingly broad" powers in the bill should be more carefully defined It says the bill should also make clear that orders breaching human rights will be deemed invalid The opposition addressed dozens of protesters on the steps of Parliament this evening In a bill which has already passed through the state's Lower House, the state's premier would be able to place Victoria under a state of pandemic for three months at a time with no maximum time period. When the bill was introduced, the government said the powers created were not dissimilar to other jurisdictions such as NSW and New Zealand, and Health Minister Martin Foley said it would make an "even more transparent and accountable system" to manage future pandemics. "This Bill reflects the best components of public health responses from Australian and international jurisdictions and enables the use of the unique powers needed to manage pandemics," the spokesperson said. "The powers in the bill are no different to those that other jurisdictions, including around Australia and New Zealand have available to respond to public health emergencies such as a pandemic."