Victorian Government Bulletin - In the media, Practice and courts, Reports, Cases and Legislation

• Published date: 02 June 2020
• Subject Matter: Government, Public Sector, Constitutional & Administrative Law
• Law Firm: Holding Redlich

In the media

On The Spot Fines To Keep Victorians Safe
The Victorian Government is working to protect our health system and those at most risk of contracting coronavirus, with Victoria Police being given the power to issue on the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses who don't follow the rules (28 March 2020). More...

COVID-19 response from Australian privacy regulators
Privacy Commissioners and Ombudsmen around the country appreciate that individuals, organisations and government are facing significant challenges to stop the spread of COVID-19. The use of personal information is part of addressing this public health crisis (27 March 2020). More...

COVID-19: Important information for industry
The ACMA is responsible for protecting Australian industry, consumers and audiences in areas that remain vital at this time'such as the accuracy of news, management and the availability of support for consumers who may be experiencing or may otherwise be vulnerable (27 March 2020). More...

COVID-19 Emergency laws introduced to parliament to boost community safety
The NSW Government will introduce an emergency Bill to Parliament comprising a broad range of amendments to existing laws to help combat the spread of COVID-19 (24 March 2020). More...

Fair Work 'nudges' for better outcomes
President of the Commission, Justice Iain Ross said that applying behavioural insights to the Commission's public information and processes could help reduce the anxiety, stress and confusion that parties experienced when navigating the legal process in unfair dismissal cases (16 March 2020). More...

State Of Emergency for Coronavirus Extended To Save Lives
Police have strong powers to enforce these directions and can issue on the spot fines, including up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses. Under the State of Emergency people who don't comply could also be taken to court and receive a fine of up to $20,000 (12 April 2020). More...

Over 200 organisations outline human rights concerns at outset of COVID crisis
More than 200 not-for-profit and community organisations have backed a major report calling on the Australian Government to strengthen its commitment to human rights in its laws, policies and practices (09 April 2020). More...

Parliamentary scrutiny of Federal Government's COVID-19 response vital for democracy
The Human Rights Law Centre welcomed the Senate's vote to establish a cross-party Senate Select Committee to provide democratic oversight and scrutiny of the Morrison Government's response to the COVID-19 public health emergency (08 April 2020). More...

PS staff volunteer for virus response
Around 2,000 Australian Public Service (APS) staff have volunteered to be redeployed during the COVID-19 pandemic response. APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott said that in the short term, the key priority was increasing capacity in areas critical to the delivery of services during the pandemic, specifically the Department of Health and Services Australia (06 April 2020). More...

New PS privacy guide for pandemic
Updated privacy guidelines for Departments and Agencies during the COVID-19 health crisis have been released by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) (06 April 2020). More...

Restrictions On The Sale Of Firearms And Ammunition in Victoria
The sale of firearms and ammunition for sporting or recreational purposes will be temporarily banned, following deliberations by the National Cabinet. The new measures are designed to protect licensed firearm owners and dealers as well as the broader community (31 March 2020). More...

Special team to boost tracking and enforcement in bid to halt coronavirus
In an Australian first, the Palaszczuk Government will establish a dedicated team to boost tracking in the government's fight against coronavirus. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D'Ath said the new enforcement unit has one purpose, and that's to protect public health - it will have strong powers and won't hesitate to use them (31 March 2020). More...

Covid safe: Australian government launches coronavirus tracing app amid lingering privacy concerns
Australians can now download the government's controversial coronavirus contact tracing app, Covidsafe, amid ongoing concerns about privacy of those using the app. The Health minister has published a determination that prevents the data being used for other purposes, including for law enforcement purposes or court orders, and the data must be held within Australia (26 April 2020). More...

Legislation to Support Jobs, Services and Victorians Passes
Emergency measures to support Victorians, save lives, protect businesses and jobs, and continue delivering vital government services during the coronavirus pandemic have passed Victorian Parliament. The four Bills enable Victoria to respond to the unprecedented challenges created by coronavirus on our healthcare system and our economy (24 April 2020). More...

LCA: Privacy protections must be built into COVID-19 tracking app
While the Law Council of Australia acknowledges the government's desire to improve the efficiency of COVID-19 contact tracing arrangements through the roll out of a tracing app, the privacy settings of any such app will require careful scrutiny, with many in the community understandably hesitant about the collection of their personal information by the government (20 April 2020). More...

Temporary emergency measures to manage coronavirus crisis
The Victorian Government will implement a range of temporary emergency measures to support Victorians and continue delivering the services we all rely on through the...