Australian State Leaders’ Push for Unprecedented Power to Impose Lockdowns

Australian State Leaders’ Push for Unprecedented Power to Impose Lockdowns
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media at a COVID-19 update press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 26, 2021. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Daniel Y. Teng
Updated:

A new Bill being rushed through Victoria’s Parliament is set to dramatically expand the authority of the state premier and his health minister.

A summary of the Bill obtained by media outlets The Age and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation revealed that while the proposed law is being pitched as taking steps to increase accountability, it also grants increased power to government ministers, including the authority to place Victoria under lockdown almost unilaterally.
Daniel Y. Teng
Daniel Y. Teng
Writer
Daniel Y. Teng is based in Brisbane, Australia. He focuses on national affairs, including federal politics and Australia-China relations. Got a tip? Contact him at [email protected].
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