The Andrews government has struck a deal with state MPs to continue Victoria’s state of emergency beyond September 14, as daily COVID-19 case numbers fell below 100 on Saturday for the first time in more than two months.
But Premier Daniel Andrews reported another 18 lives lost to the virus, taking the state’s toll to 514, as he urged Victorians to "find a way" to keep following lockdown rules and not be tempted into risky behaviour by the falling case numbers and sunny weather.
A deal has been hammered out with crossbench MPs in the upper house, giving Mr Andrews’ government a one-off extension which will last six months, but not the permanent legislative change it was seeking, on condition that members of Parliament are briefed on the health situation each time a new four week state of emergency is declared.
“I have indicated that I will vote for a one-off extension of the government’s state of emergency powers for six months,” Ms Patten said. “There will be a plan, it will be detailed, it will be based on science and data and evidence in the very best of medical advice,” Mr Andrews said.
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