Author Archives: Melody Halangoda
On 27 October 2021, the Victorian government introduced the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 into the Legislative Assembly. The Bill, if passed, would give the Health Minister sweeping powers during a pandemic. Concerns have been raised about the potential of the new pandemic laws to undermine the usual checks and balances placed on parliamentary power. This article outlines what is proposed in the Bill, the criticisms that have been levelled at it and the rationale the government has given for the proposed changes. What are the proposed pandemic laws? Section 165AB of the Bill… Read More
On 28 October 2021, the federal government introduced the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Voter Integrity) Bill 2021 in the House of Representatives. The Bill seeks to introduce provisions that require voting officers to request proof of identity from anyone seeking to vote in an election. Civil liberties groups such as the Human Rights Law Centre have criticised the proposed voter ID laws, saying they will create further obstacles to voting for groups that are already marginalised such as young people, Aboriginal people in remote communities and people experiencing homelessness. The changes, if passed, will require voters on polling… Read More