WA opposition leader Mia Davies has accused the McGowan government of using its majority in both houses to ram through amendments to existing COVID-19 laws which would extend state of emergency powers to January 4 next year.

Davies told 6PR Mornings host Liam Bartlett the Opposition would be briefed on the amendments on Tuesday but was told the government wanted them passed through the lower house by this evening.

“This is an unbelievable abuse of power by this government, very arrogant,” she told Bartlett.

The amendments would give the state continued powers to enforce mask mandates, isolation requirements, close contact rules and proof of vaccination requirements for aged care facilities and hospitals.

“I’m absolutely sure this government could achieve those outcomes looking after the most vulnerable in the community … without extending these powers,” she said.

A state of emergency was first declared on March 15, 2020 and has been rolled over fortnightly ever since, with the extension coming as WA’s COVID-19 cases reached a record 12,390 on Tuesday, the highest in the nation, with 61,755 active cases currently across the state.

However, hospital and ICU admissions remain far lower than modelling suggested with 286 people in hospital and eight in ICU.

Extension of the COVID-19 powers was recommended by retiring Police Commissioner Chris Dawson.

McGowan said new COVID-19 cases would continue to emerge in the community but hospitalisations and the number of people who required intensive care were still under what was anticipated and could be safely managed.

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview with Mia Davies

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