Victorian Trades Hall Council supports the passage of the Pandemic Bill in Victorian Parliament. The amendments negotiated by Rod Barton and other crossbench members should provide confidence to all Victorians that governments responding to future pandemics will be subject to significant oversight. 

 Victorian Trades Hall Council thanks Rod Barton MP for his proposed amendments and his support of the bill. Mr Barton has consistently proven himself a staunch champion of the rights of working people, and a considered and conscientious parliamentarian. 

Victorian workers have been on the front line dealing with this pandemic. We need legislation that gives the government meaningful powers to ensure that viruses do not rapidly spread in our community and put at risk the health and safety of our front-line workers.

Victorian Trades Hall Council also condemns the Victorian Liberal Party's campaign of misinformation regarding the Pandemic Bill, and their continued efforts to divide Victorians and undermine public health efforts.

Quotes attributable, Luke Hilakari Secretary of Victorian Trades Hall Council 

‘’The health and safety of Victorian workers is our priority.  We continue to encourage every single Victorian worker to show solidarity with our health workers and our frontline workers by getting vaccinated and following Covid-safe behaviours.”

“We are confident that the proposed legislation provides the necessary protection for the industrial and civil rights of Victorian workers during public health emergencies.”