The terrifying police state Daniel Andrews wants to create: How innocent Victorians can be arrested and detained indefinitely without evidence - on the word of power-hungry public servants
Innocent Victorians could be arrested in the street or at work and detained indefinitely by power-crazed officials under a new law Daniel Andrews wants to pass, top lawyers have warned.
The proposed new law, which will be debated in the Victorian parliament next month, would allow the government to give anyone it chooses - such as public servants - the power to enforce coronavirus restrictions and make arrests.
The unprecedented plan would also allow officials to detain people they suspect may spread
coronavirus even if they have done nothing wrong.
Eighteen esteemed former judges and lawyers have written an open letter warning that the law is 'unprecedented, excessive and open to abuse'.
One of those lawyers, Ross Gillies QC, told Daily Mail Australia he fears power-hungry officials who enjoy exerting authority may abuse the powers given to them.
'I don't trust someone who is nominated by a public servant with the power to make arrests. I have real abiding concern that power is a very dangerous thing,' he said.
'Some people are excited by power and the ability to exert authority over someone else. There is the potential for enormous injustice.'
'Someone might grab someone and say "I have reason to believe you are a Covid carrier or know someone who has Covid and I apprehend you".
'There would be no remedy in that situation. That may be the worst-case scenario but we know that can happen.'
Mr Gillies described the law, which has passed the lower house, as 'draconian' and urged the upper house to vote it down or amend it next month.
The proposed new law would allow the government to give anyone they chose the power to enforce coronavirus restrictions and make arrests.
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