Sparks fly over vax motion

A MOTION encouraging Clarence councillors to publicly declare their vaccination status has been met with a backlash from some aldermen, with claims the suggestion would be “a slippery slope”.

Alderman Tony Mulder had originally moved a motion that included evidence of vaccination be required for elected members to enter council chambers, effective November 30.

That section was removed and an alternative motion, that elected member of Clarence council are encouraged to demonstrate community leadership by publicly declaring their Covid vaccination status and intentions, was debated instead.

“This motion is as simple as it sounds and I declare I will be fully vaccinated by December 20 and call on my fellow aldermen to make a similar declaration,” Mr Mulder said.

“I encourage my colleagues to use this opportunity to declare their vaccination status.”

The suggestion attracted backlash from some aldermen, including Dean Ewington. “We’re getting into a slippery slope, where does all this stuff end?” he said. Mr Ewington said he supported high vaccination rates but “There’s plenty of other campaigns out there – it’s not up to us to be the so-called leaders of this thing,” he said.

Mr Mulder said the motion was to encourage, not to direct.

The motion was carried 8-4.