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    Member for Lowan Emma Kealy.

Kealy: We’ll repeal the pandemic bill

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has stressed that Victoria’s Coalition would repeal a new pandemic bill if it won government in next year’s November State Election.

Ms Kealy said even with considerable changes, the Health and Wellbeing Amendment – Pandemic Management – Bill 2021 remained ‘a bad bill’.

She described the bill, which passed Victorian Parliament after a marathon 24-hour sitting, as ‘government power-
grab’ legislation.

“The Nationals and the Liberals, along with legal experts and human-rights advocates, raised serious concerns the bill handed the government and the premier too much power to lock down Victorians – without parliamentary oversight,” she said. 



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“In its desperate grab for power, the Andrews government has ignored the impact its lockdowns have had on the mental and social wellbeing of Victorians, on the education of our kids, on elective-surgery waitlists and on businesses.

“The outpouring of deep concern and anger from people across my electorate and the wider Victorian community about this bill has been immense. 

“My office has received thousands of emails and countless phone calls from people pleading for the bill to be stopped.

“Lockdowns have had a devastating impact on people’s mental health and financial security. 

“They have hurt jobs and spiraled Victoria into debt.

“But now, with the support of Independent MPs, Daniel Andrews is securing even more power over Victorian’s lives and livelihoods.

“Even with amendments, this is still a bad bill – there’s simply no other way to describe it.”

Ms Kealy said the Nationals had pledged to repeal the pandemic legislation and had committed to ensuring there would be no lockdowns under a Coalition government.

She said The Nationals had also pledged $400-million to build a new infectious-disease response centre to manage future pandemics, with 100 new specialised hospital beds across Victoria.

The final pandemic bill has attracted broad positive and negative responses across political and legal spectrums.

The entire December 8, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!