'Rule by decree': Proposed Victorian state of emergency powers 'draconian'
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Victoria Shadow Attorney-General Tim Smith says it would be “draconian” for the Victorian government to be granted essentially unlimited powers during a pandemic, amid new legislation being considered.
“This bill will give enormous power to the premier whilst there is a pandemic in Victoria,” Mr Smith told Sky News Australia.
“Powers that are foreign to this country for an elected leader, to be able to rule by decree and do whatever he likes and lock people down in 2022, on a whim – on the whim of his signature.
“It’s so illiberal, and ... I call on the federal government to reconsider this draconian legislation."
He said he believes the state of emergency powers should only be enacted with the approval of parliament.
“So we’re moving a constitutional amendment to stop these sorts of power grabs going on, and make the government come back to parliament once a month for approval for an ongoing state of emergency.”
“This bill will give enormous power to the premier whilst there is a pandemic in Victoria,” Mr Smith told Sky News Australia.
“Powers that are foreign to this country for an elected leader, to be able to rule by decree and do whatever he likes and lock people down in 2022, on a whim – on the whim of his signature.
“It’s so illiberal, and ... I call on the federal government to reconsider this draconian legislation."
He said he believes the state of emergency powers should only be enacted with the approval of parliament.
“So we’re moving a constitutional amendment to stop these sorts of power grabs going on, and make the government come back to parliament once a month for approval for an ongoing state of emergency.”