Changes considered to Chief Health Officer's powers

Victoria is considering scaling back the powers of the state's unelected Chief Health Officer and handing greater powers to the Health Minister.

Reports suggest one of the changes considered would be giving the Health Minister sole authority to sign off on public health restrictions.

That power currently rests with Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.

MPs want the state of emergency powers given to ministers, as is the case in other states and territories.

They argue that under the Westminster system it's the politicians who are accountable to the public – therefore they should be the ones responsible for law changes.

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