Liberty Victoria is concerned by reports that the Government is considering changing the law so that Victoria’s current state of emergency can be extended for a further 12 months.
At present, Victorian law ensures that a state of emergency cannot last more than 6 months. The current state of emergency, declared on 16 March 2020, is therefore due to expire in mid-September.
The current 6-month limit exists for a good reason. The declaration of a state of emergency imposes extraordinary limits on Victorians’ human rights.