The Victorian Labor government has been forced to organise a cabinet reshuffle after four senior ministers announced their retirement. On June 24, Deputy Premier James Merlino, Health Minister Martin Foley, Police Minister Lisa Neville and Sports Minister Martin Pakula issued statements confirming their decisions to step down from the cabinet. They also would not recontest…

The Australian state of Victoria is dropping most of its COVID-19 rules, including vaccination passports, QR code check-ins, mask mandates, and close contact isolation. Health Minister Martin Foley announced that from April 23, patrons will no longer be required to have two COVID-19 vaccination doses or show their vaccination status before entering a venue, ending…

The Victorian government has prolonged the state’s pandemic declaration for three months, from April 12 to July 12. In a statement released on April 6, Premier Daniel Andrews said he was satisfied that the coronavirus disease still remained a severe risk to the state’s public health when making the decision. “This extension enables us to keep…

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has warned the state’s residents that they may face an upcoming challenging winter with a combination of flu and COVID-19 on the horizon. Speaking in front of reporters on March 17, the premier did not provide a specific timeline for the state government to lift the remaining pandemic measures for the…

The Victorian state government has announced an agreement with the biopharmaceutical company Pfizer to increase “global collaboration opportunities with Victorian researchers and industry” on Mar. 18. Victoria’s minister for innovation and medical research, Jaala Pulford said that “this agreement with one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies is a strong endorsement of the strength of…

The health minister of the Australian state of Victoria has gone into a seven-day self-isolation following a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Martin Foley said that although his rapid antigen test produced a negative result, he had to enter quarantine as a close contact, causing him to miss out on the first half of…

The Victorian Labor Government has announced more than 120 pop-ups COVID-19 vaccination hubs across March to increase booster vaccination rates in the lead up to winter as new COVID-19 cases increase. “Don’t rely on two doses to get you through this winter. If you are due, make March the month you get your third,” the…

Victoria has been encouraged by the federal Health Minister Greg Hunt to launch a mass COVID-19 vaccination program in schools to boost vaccination rates so mask mandates can be removed for students. The state has maintained masks for students in grades three to six despite being the state with the highest vaccination rates for children…

Peak legal body, the Victorian Bar, has criticised Premier Daniel Andrews and his government for “grossly misrepresenting” its support for a sweeping Pandemic Bill that will grant extensive powers to the premier and health minister. The comments were made by Christopher Blanden Q.C. in an internal email to Victorian Bar members who also warned that…

Peak legal body, the Victorian Bar, has criticised Premier Daniel Andrews and his government for “grossly misrepresenting” its support for a sweeping Pandemic Bill that will grant extensive powers to the premier and health minister. The comments were made by Christopher Blanden Q.C. in an internal email to Victorian Bar members who also warned that…