Former Victorian opposition leader Matthew Guy has slammed Premier Daniel Andrews for “playing to people’s fear and emotion” after the government passed its state of emergency extension.
The state of emergency powers gives the Victorian government the ability to lockdown the state in response to the coronavirus, and provides the legal tool to impose restrictions such as curfews and stay-at-home orders.
The bill passed the Victorian upper house on Tuesday after the government successfully negotiated with the crossbench including the Greens, the Reason Party, and Animal Justice.
Mr Guy said it is “quite astounding” the Andrews government thinks it’s necessary to still have state of emergency legislation in operation until December.
He said the government has justified this move by speaking “in emotion” and claiming the legislation aims to keep Victorians safe.
“Andrews will always talk in emotion, that’s how he justifies all of his arguments, all of his cost blow outs, all of his lockdowns, it’s all about his emotion, playing to people’s fear and emotion.”
