Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:37): At no time in the history of this state have the rights of Victorians been so abused and so threatened. The Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee (SARC) should always be the upholder of those rights against the excesses of government, though, sadly and embarrassingly, this committee has abrogated its responsibilities in our view. The Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee should be a bipartisan committee checking on the impact on human rights of legislation in the interests of all Victorians, and I believe it has singularly failed in its duty, which is a sad indictment of parliamentary democracy in this state.

It was, however, pleasing that the committee accepted my resolution that encouraged public comment, and in 72 hours, as Mr Gepp has said, over 13 000 Victorians contacted SARC. Unfortunately those submissions were not able to appear on the website. There were only the hand-picked submissions, which turned out to be from three organisations. Thirteen thousand people in 72 hours were so concerned about this legislation that they felt the need to write to SARC. There are many serious questions that have not been clarified by the executive through the minister in relation to often vague and subjective terminology such as ‘reasonably necessary’, ‘likely’ and ‘may pose’. It is also unclear about the parameters of authorised officers and WorkSafe inspectors. There has never been such an assault on the human rights, liberties and freedoms of Victorians as we are witnessing currently.