The Victorian government has agreed to abandon measures in its controversial COVID-19 Omnibus bill.
Legal experts and civil rights groups had raised concerns over the proposed laws, which would have given authorised officers the power to detain people likely to breach the state's coronavirus restrictions.
The bill had passed the Labor-controlled lower house, but the government failed to win over enough crossbench MPs in the upper house.
"We have always said we would negotiate in good faith," Attorney General Jill Hennessey said in a statement on Wednesday confirming changes to the bill.
The amended bill specifies who can be appointed as an authorised officer and sets out the powers that Victoria Police and WorkSafe officers can exercise.
"These changes address concerns raised throughout those negotiations while continuing to deliver the temporary, necessary changes we need to respond to the challenges the pandemic presents," Ms Hennessy said.
The Victorian Bar, as well as a group of 14 retired judges and leading QCs, had written to the government warning against the emergency measures.
