Victorians will be outraged to learn that Andrews is planning to use the cover of the coronavirus crisis to rush through legislation to introduce contingency fees for layers, which will only further enrich large Labor Party donating law firms.
On one hand Andrews is using the coronavirus to shorten Parliament’s sitting hours. On the other hand he is planning to push this legislation through on Thursday, the final day of the sitting week.
At this time of crisis, now is not the time to be debating, let alone passing, such ill-thought through legislation.
At the very minimum Andrews should await the findings of the recently announced Commonwealth Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services Inquiry into class actions, which includes the issue of contingency fees.
Comments attributable to Shadow Attorney-General, Edward O’Donohue:
“Our focus should be on COVID-19 not the wealth of the directors of Maurice Blackburn and Slater and Gordon.
“Slater and Gordon and Maurice Blackburn have collectively declared $634,950 in donations to Victorian Labor.
“This legislation won’t improve access to justice and will only enrich a small number of significant Labor Party donors.”