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Dan Andrews extends ‘dictatorial’ pandemic declaration by three months under controversial laws allowing him sweeping powers whenever he decides there is a health crisis

    • Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has extended pandemic laws by three months
    • Laws passed by the Victorian Parliament gave power to announce a health crisis 
    • Extension of declaration is in direct response to rapid spread of Omicron variant
    • The laws allow premier to declare a pandemic for an unlimited period of time
    • The health minister can make ‘any order’ such as lockdowns and mask-wearing

    By Olivia Day and Charlie Moore For Daily Mail Australia

    Published: 15:57 AEDT, 9 January 2022 | Updated: 17:22 AEDT, 9 January 2022

    Dan Andrews has extended his controversial pandemic powers by three months in response to the Omicron outbreak.

    Laws passed by the Victorian Parliament late last year allow him to announce a health crisis at any time and assume unprecedented powers.

    The Victorian premier said on Sunday the extension of the declaration was a direct response to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

    As part of Victoria’s continued response to the global coronavirus pandemic, Premier Daniel Andrews has extended the pandemic declaration to apply to the state of Victoria from 11.59pm Wednesday 12 January for three months,’ a statement read. 

    It advised that in making the declaration the premier was satisfied on reasonable grounds there was a serious risk to public health in Victoria. 

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