The Victorian Government introduced a new set of laws to parliament on Tuesday which will replace the current state-of-emergency powers set to expire on December 15.
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These pandemic-specific laws will allow the health minister to make public health orders for the COVID-19 pandemic and will contain stronger safeguards to withhold QR-code check-in data from law enforcement and a tiered fines system.
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Under the new framework, the Premier will be given the authority to declare a pandemic, activating the government's powers.
That declaration must be reviewed every three months.
The minister will also be able to issue pandemic orders after the Premier declares a pandemic and after seeking advice from the chief health officer.
These orders can include the power to limit movement, detain or quarantine infectious people or groups and regulate activities.
The health minister will also be able to issue a pandemic order to a specific classification of person or group depending on their location, participation at an event or activity, or a particular characteristic such as age, vaccination status, residence, occupation or living arrangements.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the role of the chief health officer will remain central to all key decisions.
"Last year we committed that we would bring forward pandemic-specific legislation that was fit for purpose, and that is exactly what we have done," he said.
"We have learned a lot over the past two years of a once in a generation pandemic, and we are applying these lessons to manage pandemics in the future - while maintaining our ability to rapidly respond to outbreaks."
