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Scott Morrison has accused Daniel Andrews of failing Victoria as the federal government finally turns on the embattled premier over his handling of the coronavirus crisis and his plan to extend the state of emergency.  

The prime minister's restraint in attacking the Andrews Labor government evaporated on Tuesday as he faced a grilling over deaths in aged care.  

'The protective measures that were put in place and built up as part of that national strategy... have failed in Victoria,' Mr Morrison told parliament.

'The testing, the tracing and the quarantine arrangements have proven to be unacceptable and led to what we have seen with community outbreak in Victoria.'

Hours earlier, Mr Morrison blasted the Victorian premier over his push to extend the state of emergency during a private conversation between the pair, according to the Herald Sun.   

It's understood the Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) raised concerns about the plan during a conversation with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday night

Mr Andrews said an extended state of emergency would allow the state's chief health officer to issue 'common-sense' directions to prevent the spread of coronavirus

A state of emergency, which gives police extraordinary powers to search, arrest and detain, was first declared in Victoria on March 16 and is due to expire on September 13 after several extensions.

Mr Andrews wants to change legislation so it can be extended for a further 12 months.  

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Mr Andrews had 'a lot of questions to answer'. 

'I understand why Victorians are now very concerned by the Victorian government announcing yesterday that it wants to extend the emergency powers for another 12 months,' Mr Frydenberg said. 

'I share those concerns, and the Victorian government has to explain its decision.

If Mr Andrews' unprecedented move goes ahead, the government, health authorities and police would continue to have extraordinary powers to issue and enforce restrictions

Victoria recorded eight deaths and 148 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday - its second consecutive day under 150 cases.

'At the end of the day we will do everything to support Victorians get to the other side of this crisis, but the Victorian government has a lot of questions to answer.'

Former federal Labor leader Bill Shorten said he had received 'a deluge of emails from concerned constituents' over Mr Andrews' plan.

'It would be handy if he cleared it up … because I think that figure of the 12 months had everyone freaking out,' he said. 

'I think the explanation is a lot more benign, but probably time for Dan the man to put his explaining skills on display today and just calm the farm.' 

Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said extending the state of emergency would spell the end for thousands of Victorian businesses.

Mr Andrews stressed the proposed extension did not mean stage four restrictions - also due to end on September 13 - will be in place for another year

'Extending emergency powers for 12 months would be an admission of failure,' he said. 

'We'd be seeing tumbleweeds down Collins St before the year was out. Any longer than a few months and the shutters will be drawn permanently on many businesses.' 

Health Minister Greg Hunt also took the gloves off, noting 95 per cent of the increase in Australian cases since June had been in Victoria.

'Overwhelmingly from one city, and overwhelmingly from one part of one city,' he told MPs.

Mr Hunt said 99 per cent of deaths since June 1 were in Victoria.

'So this is very much sadly and tragically the issue of one city in one state.' 

The premier on Tuesday doubled down on his push to extend the state of emergency. 

'Unless we have a legal framework that sits behind that, then we won't be able to say to a publican, "you can have 50 people in your pub",' he said. 

'We won't be able to say to a big – and, for the purposes of COVID-19, a dangerous – workplace, "you can stay open, but you will need to have a series of rules, plans and processes to make sure that you're keeping your staff and the community safe".

'All of those things come from the state of emergency. It will not be in place a day longer than it needs to be.' 

Mr Andrews said an extended state of emergency would allow the state's chief health officer Brett Sutton to issue 'common-sense' directions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

These include rules around face masks, mass gatherings and quarantine, as well as density limits for businesses and workplaces.

He stressed the proposed extension did not mean stage four restrictions - also due to end on September 13 - will be in place for another year.

'That is not accurate. That's not what's happening here,' Mr Andrews told reporters on Tuesday.

'Once we get those numbers down we'll be able to have an easier set of rules. We're not going to go from stage four to no rules at all. That's just not going to be possible.'

Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said extending the state of emergency would spell the end of Victorian businesses

The state of emergency extension would affect rules around face masks, mass gatherings and quarantine, as well as density limits for businesses and workplaces

The premier said he was willing to work out a compromise with the crossbench before parliament sits on Tuesday. He will need four on side to pass the legislation.

Key crossbencher Fiona Patten earlier indicated she may support the bill 'if there was some compromise'.

'If there was some reworking of this ... then you might bring the crossbenchers to the table, but at the moment they're not there,' the Reason Party MP told 3AW radio.

Former senator Derryn Hinch said the two crossbenchers from his Justice Party may support the bill with amendments.

'This can be done, but it won't be 12 months,' he told 3AW radio.

'Maybe a rolling month-by-month extension of the state of emergency may be the way to go and that will give parliament some control of it.'

Liberal Democrats David Limbrick and Tim Quilty have urged their fellow crossbenchers not to negotiate a shorter extension with the government.

'That gets a big no from us. They need to know that the people of Victoria are watching, and they are not going to stand for any grubby deals,' Mr Quilty said in a statement.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg (left) said Mr Andrews had 'a lot of questions to answer' over his push for an extension 

The latest victims were two men in their 70s, four women and one man in their 80s and one woman in her 90s

'The government has treated the people we represent, the crossbench, and the democratic process with contempt throughout this. It is time for democracy to bite back and simply reject this legislation.'

Victoria recorded eight deaths and 148 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday - its second consecutive day under 150 cases.

The latest victims were two men in their 70s, four women and one man in their 80s and one woman in her 90s.

Seven of the deaths are linked to outbreaks in aged care, where some 1530 cases remain active across 123 facilities.

The latest fatalities bring the state's death toll to 438 and the national figure to 525.