The Victorian Parliament will be recalled two weeks early for a one day emergency sitting on Thursday 23 April 2020 to pass vital legislation to assist the ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Victorian Government is drafting legislation to address issues such as the
tenancy reforms agreed to by the National Cabinet, and the Parliament will also
be asked to pass urgent appropriation bills which will ensure our healthcare
workers and other vital public sector staff continue to be paid.

All
members of parliament will be offered detailed briefings on the legislation
before it is introduced to the Parliament and Question Time will take place in
both houses.

While
Parliament House is normally a busy place with large numbers of staff, media
and visitors in addition to members, this emergency sitting will follow
practices observed by the Commonwealth Parliament to protect members of
parliament and staff.

A
reduced number of MPs will be present in each chamber and a skeleton staff will
be present to ensure both houses are able to function.

The
Government will move motions in each house to amend the arrangements for the
day to allow for urgent passage of these bills and make other temporary changes
to allow MPs to continue representing their communities by tabling members
statements rather than having to read them out in each house.

In
recognition of the importance of providing information to the public during
this unprecedented crisis, the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC)
will conduct an enquiry into the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in
Victoria.