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Victoria's pandemic legislation could be amended to ensure more oversight, in an effort to secure the support of another crossbench MP.
But it is unlikely the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill will be debated on Friday, with the government considering calling an extra sitting day next week to ensure it passes before the current state of emergency expires.
The bill gives the premier and health minister the power to declare a pandemic and the ability to enforce restrictions such as lockdowns, mask-wearing and vaccination mandates.
Daniel Andrews' Victorian pandemic legislation could be amended to ensure more oversight, in an effort to secure the support of another crossbench MP
It was expected to pass parliament with the support of three crossbench MPs this week.
But former Labor minister Adem Somyurek declared he would return to parliament following a self-imposed absence to vote against the bill in its current form.
His vote would result in a tie, meaning the bill would have to be reintroduced in parliament's lower house.
Without the legislation, the government will not be able to impose many of its COVID-19 restrictions after the state of emergency expires on December 15.
Sustainable Australia MP Clifford Hayes has been negotiating with the government and says they have been 'receptive' to his calls for tougher oversight powers.
'I've made clear the issues that
