State of emergency extended in Victoria by nine months

Victoria's state of emergency has been extended by nine months.

The decision was made in the Legislative Council last night, not long after protesters marched at Parliament House in Melbourne against the state of emergency.

The bill was passed after three crossbench MPs voted for the extension, which will end in December.

Greens leader Samantha Ratnam, Reason Party MP Fiona Patten and Andy Meddick from the Animal Justice Party gave the government their support yesterday, bringing the number of votes in favour of the extension 19 to 18.

The Greens backed the legislation yesterday on the proviso fines issued to people under 18 would be reduced.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the legislation provided protection for Victorians.

"We know that the legal framework is very important given this is not over," he said.

"This gives us some certainty, that's very important.

"The rules are not there other than to keep us safe and to keep the place open."

READ MORE: Neo-Nazi charged after alleged assault on Channel 9 security guard

The premier said the pandemic was, if anything, becoming more complex.

"This is not over, it's still very real," he said.

"In fact, the challenge is getting more complex in some ways because the virus is actually changing."

The legislation to extend the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (State of Emergency Extension) passed the Lower House in the afternoon before finally passing the Upper House last night.

READ MORE: Music legend Michael Gudinski to be honoured with state funeral

The legislation ultimately gives Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton the power to make decisions and do whatever is required to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Victoria.

Last year the government faced severe backlash after increasing the state of emergency from six to 12 months.

The Reignite Democracy Australia group organised last night's rally last week and flagged there would be more to come in a video posted to Facebook.

The group want the state of emergency to be immediately scrapped.

Proster Morgan C. Jonas told 3AW yesterday people were frustrated by the state of emergency powers.

"It is about giving people a voice," he said.

"I think millions of Victorians are very frustrated with Dan Andrews' government, many people have suffered greatly under the state of emergency and the lockdowns."

READ MORE: Melbourne cafe owner offering $5000 for someone to take job

Dozens of people showed up to the pre-planned protest last night with a heavy police presence seen around Spring Street, but no altercations were reported.

The Reignite Democracy Australia group were involved in an anti-lockdown protest last month.