Senate Approves Emergency Powers Amendment Act 2021

The Emergency Powers Amendment Act, 2021 was passed in the Senate on Friday, November 5. This is despite a strong push back from Opposition Senators who are of the view that it is primarily a public relations exercise as the Act itself is archaic, and the amendments are majoring in the minor.

The court ruled last year that a State of Emergency, (SOE) declared under the act was in conflict with the constitution and that the detention order is unlawful.

Clause 2 of the Emergency Powers Act has been amended to include a definition for a ‘period of public disaster’, as well as new penalty provisions under the act. The bill increases the maximum fine for breaches under the act from $200 to $1 million.

Opposition Senator, Damion Crawford posited his disapproval of the penalties, saying a million dollars is almost a hundred and 40 times the weekly minimum wage. The constitutional validity of the Government’s use of States of Emergency is still before the Court of Appeal.

More in this CVM Live story from Robian Williams: