By Noel Towell | 📷: Wayne Taylor
The state government’s key decisions in its fight against COVID-19 would be reviewed by a new parliamentary committee under a compromise deal being considered to break the political impasse over Victoria’s state of emergency laws.
Premier Daniel Andrews says a 12-month extension of Victoria’s stage of emergency is needed to get through the prolonged crisis and has pointed to the powers of other states, which are in effect open-ended…
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Ms Patten said the minister had shown a willingness to compromise, but the Reason Party MP added she and her colleagues would not accept an oversight committee dominated by Labor MPs and that it would have to be led by a member of the crossbench to gain acceptance.
“The minister indicated that the government would be willing to consider a plan that includes the extension of the state of emergency as approved by the majority of members of Parliament,” Ms Patten said.
“Whether that be three, or a maximum of no more than 6 months, is still to be determined, as well as a COVID-19 Select Parliamentary Committee that can provide oversight into government decisions during the period of the state of emergency.
“The committee would be made up of crossbench, opposition and government members, with my preference that a crossbencher be appointed to the chair.”
Read the full article on the Age’s website.
