Daniel Andrews could not have imagined the drastic change and devastating tragedy that has unfolded in such a short time during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The Victorian Premier introduced the government's COVID Omnibus Bill to Parliament on Thursday, which was expected to pass with support from MPs on all sides, despite concerns from the opposition.
"The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is without rival and, like the rest of the world, we are grappling with a challenge the likes of which we have never seen before," Mr Andrews said.
"As a state, we must be prepared to do what we can to slow the spread of the virus-to keep our families and friends and communities safe - while also addressing its far-reaching social and economic impacts."
Changes in the bill included protect for tenants to ensure they cannot be evicted for six months, the ability for local councils to conduct meetings via video conferencing rather than having to meet in person, and changes to the justice system to change the way people report on bail and allow courts to hear more matters by video link.
"Each of us should be aware of the critical juncture at which we find ourselves, Mr Andrews said.
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"We should acknowledge keenly the impact of our decision-making on the lives of Victorians and we should each feel the weight of the immense responsibility that rests upon our shoulders.
"We do not have time to waste."
Opposition leader Michael O'Brien said the bill gave extraordinary powers to the government, so there needed to be "appropriate safeguards and checks".
"These are extraordinary times and these are extraordinary measures," he said.
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, not just on our state or on our nation but on the world, has been extraordinary.
"The level of death, the level of disruption, that it has caused has led to so much pain and so much misery, and it is critical that we as a Parliament work together as best we can to get our state through this.
"We need to try and keep Victorians safe through this pandemic, but then we need to get Victorians back to work."
He said although the Coalition would not oppose the bill, he was concerned about aspects such as trials being able to proceed without juries.
"You have always got the right to be tried by a jury of your peers, and in this bill we are moving to a situation where that may not be the case," Mr O'Brien said.
"This is such a fundamental question that goes to the heart of the rights and liberties of any accused that it is not something that should be given up lightly and it is not something that should be done without great community consultation."
The Opposition Leader also raised concerns about changes to the way accused criminals can report while on bail and restrictions on movement in prisons.
Liberal-Democrat MP for Northern Victoria Tim Quilty said his speech was a warning that the government would have to be accountable and called on them to have the respect to tell Victorians the plan for reducing restrictions.
"We're not in charge of the train set so during this crisis, we've let you play with it on a promise that anything you do will be necessary for the public good," he said.
"You do not have an unlimited pool of public consent to draw from. The winds of dissent are rising because it is clear you have been excessively heavy-handed and have imposed more restrictions than were required."
He acknowledged restrictions had stopped the spread of the virus, but said hunters and fishers out by themselves would not do any harm.
"These restrictions do not pass the pub test and will never stand up to court scrutiny. Blind Freddie can see that putting on a mask, breathing from an air tank and submerging yourself in a few metres of salt water doesn't pose a COVID-19 transmissions risk, but the government has still banned scuba-diving," Mr Quilty said.
