Debate on controversial pandemic bill runs all night

Victorian upper house MPs have sat through the night in a marathon session as the Andrews Government aims to get its pandemic bill passed.

The debate began just after 3pm yesterday, and is continuing this morning.

So far, MPs have voted on less than a dozen of more than 80 changes.

It was revealed during the night that one of the key platforms of the government’s pandemic bill cannot be implemented until Parliament resumes in the new year even if the bill is passed this week.

While responding to a question from Liberal Democrat David Limbrick, leader of the upper house, Jaclyn Symes, told Parliament that the Joint Special Committee that oversees health orders cannot be convened until the Parliament resumes in late February.