What a public law expert thinks of the amendments made to Victoria’s controversial pandemic bill

The state government has had to amend it’s controversial pandemic bill before it’s debated in Parliament this week, but a public law expert thinks more changes are necessary.

Amendments to the bill were made late last night after lengthy negotiations with the crossbench.

It comes as protesters camp outside Parliament, and amid renewed pressure from the public sector watchdog.

Under the amendments, the fines for breaching public health orders will be halved, and the timeframe to release reasoning behind pandemic notices has been slashed from 14 days to seven days.

The changes will also clarify the characteristics and attributes on which pandemic orders can be made, and the application of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and Equal Opportunity Act.

Associate Professor at Melbourne University Law School, William Partlett, said the changes “make some small move” in the right direction, but he thinks further amendments should be made.

“I still think that there’s not enough done here with respect to parliamentary scrutiny and also an independent merits review of detention … powers given in this bill,” he told Ross and Russel.

“Also there’s no sunset clause.

“There’s still a little bit of work to be done.”

Press PLAY below to hear what Associate Professor Partlett thinks of the amended bill