Category: daniel andrews

Retail Violence in Victoria at ‘Peak Levels’ After Access to Non-Essential Shopping tied to Vaccination Status

According to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), retail workers have experienced an increase in verbal and physical assault just days after the Victorian state government made it mandatory that only those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can access non-essential retail premises, according to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA). ARA CEO Paul Zahra said that the organisation…


Victoria Closes in on 90 percent Vaccination Target

Victoria has recorded 1029 new COVID-19 cases and three deaths as the state approaches its 90 percent double-dosed vaccination target. The figures bring Victoria’s total number of active cases to 9533 as the state government sets to gather enough support to pass its controversial Pandemic Bill. There are currently 316 people hospitalised due to the…


Victorian Government Buys More Time on Pandemic Bill Debate

The Victorian government has voted to delay debate around the contentious Pandemic Management Bill after a last-minute intervention by estranged Labor MP Adem Somyurek placed the sweeping law at risk of being scuttled. The motion to adjourn the debate until “later this day” was passed 20 to 17. Premier Daniel Andrews conceded that with Somyurek’s…


Estranged Labor MP Returns to Torpedo Victoria’s Controversial Pandemic Bill

In a strange political twist, Adem Somyurek, estranged Labor MP and factional rival to the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will return to Parliament vowing to torpedo the controversial Pandemic Bill—which has sparked ongoing protests and opposition from senior legal figures in the state. Debate is currently underway for the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic…


Australian Premier Delays Call to Extend COVID-19 Health Powers Until 2022

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet has delayed the call to extend emergency health powers until next year. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard pushed for the extension of the temporary COVID-19 emergency powers until 2023. The proposal was on the back of a recommendation by Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant. According to The Australian,…


Victorian Government Agrees to Tinker With Sweeping Pandemic Law

The Victorian state government has agreed to tinker with its broad-ranging Pandemic Management Bill to win over crossbench MPs and secure safe passage for the proposed law through the state’s Parliament. Seven amendments have been made to the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill after negotiations with crossbench members from the state’s upper…


Australian State’s War on Crime Sees Spending Triple That of Other States

Victoria Police have implemented cost-cutting measures to reduce its spending following a budget blowout on crime fighting operations that has seen the state spend as much as New South Wales (NSW)on law and order enforcement, despite being one-third in geographical size. According to The Age, spending on police courts and prisons grew at double or…


Federal Treasurer Condemns Dan Andrews’ Controversial Pandemic Bill: ‘It’s Overreach’

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenburg is among a growing number of federal MPs who are voicing their concerns over Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews proposed pandemic legislation that will grant the state’s premier and health minister unprecedented powers to “rule by decree.” “I don’t agree with Daniel Andrews Pandemic Bill. It’s overreach & has rightly been condemned,”…


50 Plus Top Legal Figures Sign Letter Against Sweeping Victorian Pandemic Bill

Prominent legal figures are continuing their vocal opposition to impending pandemic laws that will allow the government to “rule the state of Victoria by decree.” The letter, signed by 59 members of the Victorian Bar, warned that the Public Health and Wellbeing (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 gave “unlimited and practically unreviewable power” to the health…


Western Australia Leader to ‘Reconnect’ With Korea, Japan, China Once Border Restrictions Dropped

West Australian leader Mark McGowan has earmarked a “reconnection” tour of trading partners Korea, Japan, and China after the state’s international borders are eased next year. The pledge comes amid ongoing tensions in bilateral Australia-China ties and as Western Australia (WA) prepares to keep its tough border restrictions in place over the Christmas period. On…