Victorian MP Mark Gepp has plunged Dan Andrews' government into deeper crisis after he became the sixth Labor MP in just a matter of days to reveal he's quitting.
Mr Gepp joins Lara MP John Eren, Richmond MP Richard Wynne, Altona MP Jill Hennessy, Ringwood MP Dustin Halse and Yan Yean MP Danielle Green who all announced last week that they would not be seeking re-election in 2022.
On Thursday, the Victorian premier had to rely on the support of crossbenchers to get his controversial pandemic bill through parliament after a 21 hour debate.
The bill sparked riotous protests across Melbourne but will now take effect on December 16 after it passed the upper house by a thin margin of 20 votes to 18.
Transport Matters MP Rod Barton, Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick, Reason Party MP Fiona Patten and Greens leader Samantha Ratnam voted with the government to get The Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill onto the law statutes.
The bill gives the Premier and Health Minister - rather than the chief health officer - the power to declare a pandemic.
They will also enforce restrictions during a health crisis when Victoria's state of emergency laws expire in two weeks.
The legislation became a lightning rod for anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination groups, who have occupied the steps of state parliament for weeks in protest.
Protesters slammed the proposed bill as 'dangerous legislation' that they say gives premier Dan Andrews too much power.
With strong opposition to the legislation, Premier Andrews made a raft of last minute changes in order to win over key crossbench MPs and push it through parliament.
Under the new bill, the premier can declare a health emergency and lockdown the state in three-month blocks for as long as he likes.
The original legislation would also have seen a range of even more unprecedented powers handed to the premier and health minister Martin Foley.
But harsher financial penalties for breaching public orders were be cut in half and the timeframe to release public information about pandemic decisions ordered by the government was also drastically shortened.
The changes require 'reasonable grounds' for the premier to declare a pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
Under the older version of the bill there didn't even need to be a single case of the disease in Victoria for the powers to be implemented.
The government will also be compelled to publish their public health advice before enforcing stay-at-home orders within seven days - down from two weeks.
While the maximum $90,500 fine for breaking health orders has been halved, but a heavy two year jail sentence is still part of the legislation.
Changes to the Bill also restrict the government of the day from making public health orders which differentiate between groups of people.
In the wake of the bill being passed, Northern Victorian MP Mark Gepp took to social media to confirm he would be quitting at the next election after four years in parliament.
'This job is without question a great privilege and it has been one of the highlights of my 35 year career in the Labor movement,' Mr Gepp posted on Twitter .
Mr Andrews described Mr Gepp, who was elected to the Victorian parliament in 2017, as 'a fighter' who fought for workers' rights and public housing and who was a strong advocate for students.
'I want to thank him for his dedication to our party, our parliament, our government - and to working people across Victoria,' the premier said in a statement.
'I wish him and his family all the best for the years ahead.'
Victorian MP Mark Gepp has announced he won't seek re-election next year - he is the sixth state Labor MP to quit within the past fortnight
Last week Mr Andrews' Labor government lost five MPs in just three days, when the Premier announcing former minister John Eren wouldn't contesting the next election.
Mr Andrews said he was 'grateful' for the friendship he shared with Mr Eren, who was the longtime member for Lara, north-east of Geelong.
'I wish John and his family the very best for the future. I'm grateful for his friendship and support, just as I'm grateful for his contribution to the Parliament, the Government and his local community,' the premier said.
The Victorian Labor Party has been thrown into disarray after five parliamentarians threw in the towel last week (pictured, Premier Daniel Andrews alongside local ministers)
The Victorian premier recently announced John Eren (pictured) was retiring from politics, saying he was 'grateful' for the friendship he shared with Mr Eren, who was the longtime member for Lara, north-east of Geelong
'I know we'll keep seeing him live his values for years to come.'
Mr Eren had worked in parliament for close to 20 years and was a former cabinet minister.
The MP said that having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease as well as the pressure of the pandemic, now was the right time to resign from politics.
'It has been two years since I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This diagnosis along with challenges brought about by the Covid pandemic has made me place a greater focus on my health and well-being and that of my family and friends, to value the ability to spend quality time with them,' Mr Eren said.
'After thinking about my future as time moves on and following discussions with my family, it was with sadness that I today informed the Premier of my decision to not contest the 2022 State Election.
'When we come to the end of this term of Parliament in about twelve months I feel that will be the time for me to step away and spend my time pursuing other things.'
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