The McGowan government has come under fire for its plan to extend state of emergency powers until January 2023.

The opposition has accused the government of using its majority in both houses to push through changes to the legislation, which would also see the extension of the emergency powers.

The bill still has to pass the upper house.

Yesterday Opposition Leader Mia Davies told 6PR it was an “overreach” and “arrogant”.

Legal specialist and law lecturer Dr Rocco Loiacono says the emergency powers were used to shut the WA border and impose vaccine mandates, and described it as “draconian”.

“They are very powerful because what it means is that the government, every time it wants to make one of these emergency directions, doesn’t actually have to come back to the parliament to do it,” he told Liam Bartlett on 6PR Mornings.

“And that’s what we have seen over the last couple of years when these directions are made.”

He says it means the government can make decisions based on health advice, without scrutiny.

“This will mean the Premier will continue not to explain himself by providing the health advice.”

Press PLAY below to hear his reaction to it

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.

McGowan extends state of emergency powers as WA registers record COVID cases