Not enough time to release independent reviews into covid rules prior to election.

The Andrews Labor government has indicated that it will not have enough time to release the findings of two independent reviews into covid rules related to mandates and health orders prior to the election in November. Despite the independent reviews being made available to the government last week, Health Minister Mary-Ann Thomas claims the two sitting days left in Parliament will not be enough time for her department to consider advice on the contents of the reviews prior to release. The independent reviews were a part of a mechanism to provide transparency and accountability around rules and health orders placed on Victorian as the Labor government secured votes for the permanent pandemic legislation with the help of cross-benchers Fiona Patten, Samantha Ratnam, Andy Meddick and Rod Barton. There is currently a motion in the Upper House led by the opposition party which would allow the parliament extra sitting days in October if passed. This would allow for the four sitting days set aside in the legislation for the Health Minister to table the reviews for public release, without this it is not clear if any steps will be taken by the Andrews government to release any information to the public about the reviews prior to the election.