Andrews Government makes pandemic declaration, first since broad new powers became law

Premier Daniel Andrews has used his controversial pandemic powers for the first time since they became law, extending the state of emergency until January.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has made his first pandemic declaration since the controversial powers were passed.

The Andrews Government’s controversial pandemic powers officially became law on Tuesday after extended negotiations and mass public and political outrage.

Stream more COVID-19 news on Flash

The new laws were introduced to replace the existing emergency parameters which were set to expire on December 15 – marking 640 days since it was first declared on March 16 last year.

The government has moved quickly to make a formal pandemic declaration under the new framework to continue existing measures beyond the expiry date on Wednesday.

The new pandemic management declaration will expire on January 12.

While the existing measures have only been extended by four weeks, following the initial declaration the Premier has the power to extend it in three-month blocks.

The Government confirmed on Friday that the Premier had been “satisfied on reasonable grounds” that there was a serious risk to public health, which under the new legislation is the only parameter needed to make the declaration.

Under the legislation – which was extensively amended – the government is required to table the justifications or health advice provided by the minister and Chief Health Officer (CHO) within 10 days.

“The CHO also advised protective measures were necessary to ensure the Victorian health system is not overwhelmed,” the government statement said.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has made his first pandemic declaration since the controversial powers were passed.

The Andrews Government’s controversial pandemic powers officially became law on Tuesday after extended negotiations and mass public and political outrage.

https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/andrews-government-makes-pandemic-declaration-first-since-broad-new-powers-became-law/news-story/66179ae576973ca85fea048394f1125f

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The new laws were introduced to replace the existing emergency parameters which were set to expire on December 15 – marking 640 days since it was first declared on March 16 last year.

The government has moved quickly to make a formal pandemic declaration under the new framework to continue existing measures beyond the expiry date on Wednesday.

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Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has made his first pandemic declaration since the controversial powers were passed.

The Andrews Government’s controversial pandemic powers officially became law on Tuesday after extended negotiations and mass public and political outrage.

Stream more COVID-19 news on Flash

The new laws were introduced to replace the existing emergency parameters which were set to expire on December 15 – marking 640 days since it was first declared on March 16 last year.

The government has moved quickly to make a formal pandemic declaration under the new framework to continue existing measures beyond the expiry date on Wednesday.

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The new pandemic management declaration will expire on January 12.

While the existing measures have only been extended by four weeks, following the initial declaration the Premier has the power to extend it in three-month blocks.

The Government confirmed on Friday that the Premier had been “satisfied on reasonable grounds” that there was a serious risk to public health, which under the new legislation is the only parameter needed to make the declaration.

Under the legislation – which was extensively amended – the government is required to table the justifications or health advice provided by the minister and Chief Health Officer (CHO) within 10 days.

“The CHO also advised protective measures were necessary to ensure the Victorian health system is not overwhelmed,” the government statement said.

“We’ve learned a lot over the past two years of this global pandemic – now, we’re applying these lessons to manage pandemics in the future, support our public health system, keep Victorians safe and keep our vaccinated economy open,” Mr Andrews said.

The Pandemic Management Bill handed the Health Minister broad-ranging abilities to declare “any order” which was not limited in scope in the legislation and which included the authority to enforce detention orders.

However, a joint parliamentary committee has been established to review pandemic orders and given the authority to make disallowance motions, which would need to be passed by a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Health Minister Martin Foley will now be able to make these pandemic orders which can discriminate between Victorians based on personal attributes such as social and economic factors.

The first pandemic declaration has come after a mammoth debate in the Victorian Parliament which forced the Andrews Government to twice negotiate with upper house crossbench MPs.

The Pandemic Management Bill passed the upper house last week 20-18 after a mammoth 21-hour debate days earlier over recently added amendments.

The government originally only consulted with three upper house MPs - The Greens’ Samantha Ratnam, Fiona Patten from the Reason Party and Animal Justice’s Andy Meddick.

However, it was forced back to the table after former Labor cabinet minister Adem Somyurek returned to Parliament to block the legislation.

The landmark victory for the Premier, though, came after he secured the support from Transport Matters MP Rod Barton - which came with a series of amendments - after more than a week of negotiating with upper house crossbenchers.

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/12/spanish-bishop-who-married-author-of-satanic-erotica-is-stripped-of-powers

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I have chosen to know, but I will not watch the videos of children and/or adults being tortured and/or sacrificed. Unfortunately I have stumbled upon pics and that was bad enough.

Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Tom Hanks attended Bob Dole's funeral. Who else was there?

Former congressional leaders, friends and President Joe Biden paid tribute to former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole on Friday in a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral and a ceremony at the National World War II Memorial.

The events brought out a number of Dole's former Senate colleagues, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Bill Clinton among others.

Dole died in his sleep Sunday morning at age 98. The military veteran leaves behind a legacy within the Republican Party, having served as its national chairman in the 1970s, Senate majority leader in the 1980s and as the GOP presidential nominee in 1996. Clinton, the incumbent, was reelected president that year.

Memorial services will conclude in Kansas on Saturday where Dole's body will lie in repose at the Kansas Statehouse.

Bob Dole's funeral:Bob Dole hailed as war hero and 'Kansas' favorite son' at Washington funeral service

Dole's widow, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, and their daughter Robin Dole, were among the late senator's family in attendance. Robin Dole called her father an animal lover and "the most generous person" in her tribute.

Here's what we know about the roster of politicians and celebrities who attended Dole's funeral.

Friends of the Dole family: Tom Hanks, Mark Milley and Savannah Guthrie

Friends of Dole also offered tributes, including Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Savannah Guthrie of NBC's Today and actor Tom Hanks.

Guthrie opened the service before the World War II Memorial Friday afternoon with a speech highlighting her friendship with Dole.

"What a glorious surprise, so marvelous and unexpected, this treasure of a relationship, and inside it, a valuable lesson,” Guthrie said. “Senator Bob showed me that even well into your 90s, it is never too late to make a new friend.”

In his remarks, Milley remembered Dole as “a man of deep character and tremendous accomplishment.”

“He served the army. He served the state of Kansas. He served his political party but above all, he served his country and he served his fellow American,” Milley said. “Bob Dole always, always put his country first."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/12/10/bob-dole-funeral-biden-daschle-tom-hanks-among-those-who-attended/6439011001/