Vic State of Emergency extension nothing but "a power grab" from Andrews

Victoria Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien has labelled Premier Daniel Andrews' plan to extend state of emergency powers to September 2021, a "power grab".

Mr O'Brien said the reason state of emergency legislation only allowed for a six-month stretch period was because they were "extraordinary powers".

"Victorians are going through curfews at the moment. Most businesses are closed down," he said.

"It is extraordinary the level of intrusion and restriction we live under and no government, no politician should be able to do that indefinitely.

"Daniel Andrews has had that power for six months. He now wants it for 12 months with no accountability."

The Liberal leader said he was willing to meet with the premier to discuss a timed extension for the state's reopening but said it was more important state parliament be allowed to sit.

"There's no reason why parliament should not be sitting, for example, on a monthly basis... if the premier needs a month by month extension, he can make that case to the people of Victoria and if he's not prepared to do that, why should anyone give him a blank cheque?"

Mr O'Brien said he had not been contacted by Mr Andrews in months.

"It's quite clear, Daniel Andrews only has a plan to keep us locked down. He doesn't have a plan to get us out of lockdown," he said.

"There is no justification for a year-long extension to these state of emergency powers."

"This is a premier who thinks he knows it all when Victoria is the only state going through a second wave because of his government's hotel quarantine failure."

Image: News Corp Australia

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