Labor calls for MP vax

COVID-19 vaccines should be mandatory for members of parliament, Labor says.

The leaders of Opposition business in both houses have written to Speaker Mark Shelton and Legislative Council president Craig Farrell asking for the vaccine be made mandatory to ensure the safety and continuity of parliament.

Labor MPs Dean Winter and Sarah Lovell say that with three parliamentary sitting weeks and much important parliamentary business remaining, it was important to make sure there were no disruptions.

“The Opposition understands the government has a number of Bills it needs to have finalised before the end of the year,’’ they wrote.

“It is important that the parliament is able to sit safely.

“Given the imminent threat of Covid-19 entering Tasmania, it is imperative that members reduce the health risks to each other and parliamentary staff; and mitigate, as far as possible, risks that could prevent parliament from being able to sit.

“It is also important that we set an example to the rest of the Tasmanian community.”

They confirmed all Labor members had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Premier Peter Gutwein was asked last week if all Liberal MPs have been jabbed.

Mr Gutwein (pictured) said he had not asked.

“Can I just make the point, we haven’t mandated members of parliament need to have the vaccination,’’ he said.

“People will make good choices, I am sure.

“I’m certainly making it very clear that I would expect members of parliament to be vaccinated. I would hope that they would make that choice.”

A government spokesman on Tuesday confirmed all Liberal MPs had been vaccinated.

Mr Gutwein was vaccinated in April. The state government has mandated that all health care workers and all others who work in health care settings be vaccinated by the end of the month.