Third time’s the charm as Victoria’s Pandemic Management Bill passes

It has seen acrimony on both the streets of Melbourne and the chambers of Victoria’s parliament. But the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 is now destined for royal assent. From November 30 to noon the next day, the proposed legislation was debated by members of the upper house.

After 21 exhausting hours, the bill made its way to the lower chamber, was subject to minor amendments, and then returned to the upper house, where it passed by the slimmest of margins: 20 votes to 18.