Bill Shorten rushes to the defence of embattled Daniel Andrews' draconian lockdown insisting Victoria's State of Emergency is simply misunderstood - but calls for him to 'calm the farm'
- Former opposition leader Bill Shorten defends extended State of Emergency
- He said embattled Premier Daniel Andrews needs to explain rules clearer
- Mr Andrews has been described as a 'megalomaniac' for trying to 'seize power'
Former opposition leader Bill Shorten insists Daniel Andrews' extended State of Emergency in Victoria is simply misunderstood as he defends the embattled premier.
Mr Andrews extended the state's emergency warning on Monday, despite COVID-19 numbers steeply declining in recent weeks.
The premier argued that more needed to be done to ensure the trend continued downwards, and warned the State of Emergency could be in place for a further 12 months.
While the controversial policy received widespread criticism, with some going so far as to describe the downtrodden premier as a 'megalomaniac', Mr Shorten defended the decision.
Speaking to Nine's Today show on Tuesday morning, Mr Shorten said Mr Andrews needed to better explain the conditions of the State of Emergency and what it would mean for Victorians.
Pictured: A healthcare worker prepares to conduct a coronavirus test on a patient at a COVID-19 testing facility in Melbourne
Mr Shorten (front) and Mr Andrews (centre) pictured at a press conference together in 2018, when Mr Shorten was still the leader of the Opposition
'I think the explanation is a lot more benign, but it's probably time for Dan the man to put his explaining skills on display today and just calm the farm,' he said.
'As I understand it, Daniel Andrews announced a State of Emergency. That's a lower level than a State of Disaster.'
Mr Shorten said the premier likely wanted to retain 'some powers' to get people to wear masks and ensure businesses maintain their COVID-safe plans while the virus is still a threat.
'But I think it would be handy if he cleared it up today. I think that figure of the 12 months had everyone freaking out last night,' he said.
The announcement was savaged by former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett on Monday, who accused Mr Andrews of attempting to seize 'dictatorial powers' during the crisis.
Mr Andrews extended the state's emergency warning on Monday despite COVID-19 numbers gradually declining. Pictured: Police are seen patrolling Flinders Street Station during COVID-19 in Melbourne
Premier Andrews said on Monday: 'It is not an unlimited extension, it is nothing more than a recognition that this virus won't be over on September 30' (pictured, testing in Melbourne)
'The premier said today he may keep the state of emergency until we have a vaccine - we may never have a vaccine,' Mr Kennett told Sky News.
'Are we all going to be locked up at the whim of the premier? Without any checks and balances?
'This is an act of a megalomaniac.'
Premier Andrews said on Monday: 'It is not an unlimited extension, it is nothing more than a recognition that this virus won't be over on September 30.
'I would love nothing more for there to be no need for any rules on September 14, but I don't think that is the reality.'
While the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 only allows a state of emergency to operate for six months, the premier said amendments are being made to change it.
'That is the legal instrument that allows rules about face masks, about COVID safe work plans in workplaces large and small, that is the legal instrument that sits behind density limits in pubs and cafes and restaurants,' Premier Andrews said.
Victoria's new infection numbers have been steadily dropping since the introduction of new lockdown restrictions. Pictured: Medical professionals perform COVID testing at a drive through clinic in Ballarat
Bourke St Mall within Melbourne CBD is quiet and deserted during the pandemic lockdown
'Things like a positive person, someone who has got this virus, and required to isolate at home.
'We will extend the state of emergency provisions within the public health and well-being act for a maximum of a further 12 months.'
Mr Andrews said the decision to ask parliament to extend the restrictions was about 'protecting everyone' in Victoria.
Victoria's new infection numbers have been steadily dropping since the introduction of new lockdown restrictions.
On Monday Victoria recorded 116 new cases of coronavirus, and the state now has 3731 active cases, the Department of Health and Human Services said.
The number is well below the 723 new cases the state suffered on July 30.
On Tuesday, another 148 cases were recorded.
Mr Andrews said the decision to ask parliament to extend the restrictions was about 'protecting everyone' in Victoria. Pictured during Monday's press conference
Victoria Police, Airforce and ADF personnel are seen outside of the Melbourne Museum amid the pandemic and lockdown
Medical experts have warned that pursuing a suppression strategy in Victoria and NSW while the rest of Australia eliminates the virus would split the nation.
'The rest of Australia are hoping to retain their elimination status. That means we will essentially be living in a country that's split in two,' said University of Melbourne epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely earlier this month.
State and Territory leaders have said their borders would remain closed to New South Wales and Victoria until their community transmission is wiped out completely.
Professor Blakely told Nine News that if Victoria wanted to eliminate the virus it had locked down a month too late - and would now have to keep up its tough restrictions for several more weeks.
Medical experts have warned that pursuing a suppression strategy in Victoria and NSW while the rest of Australia eliminates the virus would split the nation. Pictured: Women wearing face masks
