A rushed attempt to stop compensation claims over the use of lawyers as police informants during the height of Melbourne's gangland wars will not be supported by the state opposition.
Victoria's parliament could sit for an extra day as the government seeks to pass the State Civil Liability (Police Informants) Bill 2024, which would halt civil suits from anyone courts deemed wrongfully imprisoned over the scandal.
Former gangland barrister Nicola Gobbo passed on information about her clients to police at the height of Melbourne's underworld war two decades ago, often referred to as the 'Lawyer X' saga.
It sparked a royal commission and a rush of criminal appeals, with her high profile former clients Tony Mokbel and Faruk Orman having their convictions quashed.
The bill would stop any claims related to Ms Gobbo, including her bid for financial compensation, as well as any connected to slain lawyer Joseph Acquaro.
He was never officially registered as informant however, after the lawyer was gunned down outside a gelato shop it was revealed he passed on information about a client to law enforcement.
The opposition does not support the bill on the principle it should up to the courts to determine what should happen to claims, leader John Pesutto said.
He said the government was trying to rush through the law to protect itself.
"Whether those claims have merit or not should be determined by independent courts in our justice system," Mr Pesutto told reporters at parliament on Wednesday.
"There are principles of accountability, answerability and scrutiny that must be defended."
Premier Jacinta Allan dismissed reports the law could face a High Court challenge as a "hypothetical".
She said the government wanted the legislation passed within the week as several legal matters are underway or about to commence.
"We've never shied away from acknowledging that dark chapter in Victoria's history and that is why there was a royal commission into this matter," Ms Allan said.
"It is why we are bringing this bill into the parliament to bring to an end this dark chapter."
Leading legal groups have cited concerns the law could impact civil rights and set a precedent against people suing the state for wrongdoing, while Ms Gobbo's lawyer claimed it was an "attack on the rule of law".
The proposed law only covers financial claims and not criminal appeals.
