Negotiations between the Victorian government and crossbench MPs on proposed pandemic legislation continue, with just one day to go before the parliamentary debate is due to resume.
The Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill gives the premier and health minister the power to declare a pandemic and the ability to enforce restrictions such as lockdowns, mask-wearing, vaccination mandates, and quarantine for returned travellers and positive COVID-19 cases.
Under the existing state of emergency framework, which is due to expire on 15 December, those powers lie with the chief health officer.
The bill was expected to pass parliament last week with the support of three crossbenchers in the upper house but former Labor minister Adem Somyurek announced he would return from a self-imposed absence to vote against it in its current form.
Mr Somyurek's return means the government needs the support of one additional crossbencher to pass the legislation before the state of emergency expires.
Adem Somyurek at the Victoria State Parliament in Melbourne, Friday, November 19, 2021 Source: AAP
The attorney-general and health minister have been negotiating with crossbench MPs Rod Barton and Clifford Hayes in a bid to break the deadlock ahead of the debate on Tuesday.
Mr Hayes on Monday said the talks were continuing in good faith but there are still "issues to work through" before the government secures his support.
"I understand the need for some kind of pandemic framework but if we do not achieve a result that withstands expert and community scrutiny, I will not hesitate to vote against the bill," the Sustainable Australia MP said in a statement to AAP.
It comes as Victoria recorded three deaths and 1,007 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. Ninety per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated.
There are 11,501 active cases of COVID-19 in the state.
