Marathon debate on Daniel Andrews' controversial Covid lockdown law ends after 21 hours - and it's still not over By Benita Kolovos For Australian Associated Press Published: 02:47 GMT, 1 December 2021 | Updated: 02:48 GMT, 1 December 2021 Viewcomments Debate on the Victorian government's controversial Covid bill finally ended in the state's upper house on Wednesday afternoon after 21 hours of argument, but a final vote on the legislation could still be days away. The debate raged on through the night about aspects of the bill which would grant premier Daniel Andrews and his health minister extraordinary powers to lock down citizens whenever they declare a pandemic. Debate on the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill began in the Legislative Council about 3pm Tuesday and ended about 12.15pm on Wednesday. Daniel Andrews speaks in state parliament. His proposed new law granting widespread powers to declare a pandemic and lock down citizens was debated for 21 straight hours in the upper house. The MPs worked their way through each of its 58 clauses and 83 amendments and it will now return to the lower house - where the government holds a commanding majority - to be debated once more. It will then return to the upper house for a final vote, expected on Thursday. But upper house MPs have been told to prepare to sit on Friday and Saturday if more debate is required. 'We'll just have to see how it unfolds,' Mr Andrews told reporters outside parliament on Wednesday. 'We need to get these arrangements settled so let's hope they can achieve that outcome.' The bill has sparked waves of protest and an occupation of the steps outside state parliament, with opponents saying the law would deliver the government arbitrary powers to control the population. The bill, which gives the premier and health minister both the power to declare a pandemic and enforce restrictions, is set to replace the Covid state of emergency that expires on December 15. Several amendments were made to the bill to secure the support of Transport Matters MP Rod Barton, including the creation of a joint parliamentary committee that can review public health orders and recommend they be overruled by a majority of both houses of parliament. Labor has chosen Ivanhoe MP Anthony Carbines and Eltham MP Vicki Ward to sit on the committee, while Lowan MP Emma Kealy and Rowville MP Kim Wells will represent the Coalition. Two crossbench MPs will be on the committee, with one expected to chair it. Proposed sentences of up to two years for egregious restriction breaches has also been removed from the bill. The bill has become a lightning rod for anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination groups, who have occupied the steps of state parliament for weeks in protest. Graffiti outside Victorian parliament shows the hostility toward the bill held by its opponents. Despite their protests, the legislation appears set to be approved with a slew of amendments Mr Barton has been on the receiving end of abuse and threats since he announced his support on Tuesday, prompting police to guard his constituency office. Plain-clothed Victoria Police officers were also seen entering parliament on Wednesday but the premier said he would not comment on active security issues. Mr Barton on Tuesday said with the state of emergency's expiration fast approaching, a decision had to be made and some sort of laws were needed. The government initially thought the bill would pass last sitting week with the support of Fiona Patten of the Reason Party, Animal Justice MP Andy Meddick and Greens leader Samantha Ratnam but it needed an additional vote after former Labor minister Adem Somyurek declared he would return from a self-imposed absence to vote against it. Several groups who initially held concerns about the bill, including the Centre for Public Integrity, the Human Rights Law Centre, the Law Institute of Victoria and Liberty Victoria have welcomed the amendments. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility