Dan Andrews' Labor government has been plunged into chaos after a seventh MP announced she was quitting the Victorian parliament at the next election.
Jane Garret, member for Eastern Victoria, has joined the exodus out of Spring Street in the wake of the furious backlash against the premier's handling of the pandemic.
On Friday, she confirmed her coming exit and said it was a 'sign of strength' within the Labor Party that so many were leaving at the same time.
Her announcement follows Victorian MP Mark Gepp revealing on Thursday that would be the sixth Labor MP in just a matter of days to confirm they are quitting.
Mr Gepp joined 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.
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)
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.
On Friday though, Ms Garret insisted: 'It’s a sign of just how strong the Labor Party is when so many people make the call to step aside and give our huge range of talented young people the opportunity to become the next generation of MPs.
'Today it’s my time to help that shift to renewal. It’s been such a privilege to represent the people of Victoria in both the District of Brunswick and the Region of Eastern Victoria.
'I’ve been welcomed into people’s homes, their businesses, schools and community groups and I thank each and everyone I’ve met and worked with on the way.
'Fighting for jobs, equality, social justice and a first class education for all has bee the mantra of every Andrews Labor Government MP and it’s been a loud and proud one.'
The premier paid tribute to the Ms Garret, who is Parliamentary Secretary for Jobs, in a statement on Friday evening.
'Delivering secure jobs and a quality education for working people has always been at the heart of Jane’s commitment to her work,' said Mr Andrews.
'I thank Jane for her long service to the parliament and the party. She can be rightly proud of her contribution to our movement and to our state.
'I wish Jane and her family all the very best for the future.'
With strong opposition to his controversial pandemic legislation and lacking numbers on the Government benches, Mr Andrews had to make a raft of last minute changes to win over key crossbench MPs and push it through parliament this week.
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 make the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill law.
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.
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.
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
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 .
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
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.'
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.
'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
