By One Nation’ Stephen Andrew, MP for Mirani, Queensland
As most of you probably already know, the Public Health Extension of Emergency Powers Bill was passed by the Queensland Parliament this week.
With the passing of the Bill, the Chief Health Officer’s extraordinary state of emergency powers under the Public Health Act, have been extended another 8 months to 30 April 2022.
These are the powers that are being used to close businesses, churches, theatres and restaurants, and to issue mask mandates, border closures, mandatory QR sign-in, travel bans, strict social distancing rules along with other measures.
Under the original Act, these powers were strictly time-limited and set to expire after only 14 days.
By 30 April 2022, they will have been in place for more than 2 years, with no guarantee they won’t be extended again after that.
In fact, judging by some of the statements made by the Health Minister, I would say the chances of another extension past 30 April 2022 are pretty high.
The continuation of these laws is such a radical departure from our liberal and democratic traditions that I feel strongly that an urgent Inquiry or Review needs to be carried out, particularly in relation to all the legal, constitutional and human rights implications which have never been properly addressed.
Amendments to the Bill, which were supported by the LNP and all the Crossbench members, including myself, were tossed out and the Bill passed with the support of the LNP, although no actual vote was counted.
Knowing that many businesses and industries will close, and Queensland’s mental health crisis worsen, with the passing of this Bill, is gut-wrenching.
Members were only given a few short minutes to say anything as the Government had made drastic cuts to the time available for debate on the Bill.
