ALL POLLIES SHOULD ROLL UP SLEEVES
THE suggestion that the mandatory Covid-19 vaccination rule should be applied to all members of Tasmania’s parliament puts the government in a potentially awkward position. There have been rumours running hot in Tasmania’s halls of power in recent weeks that someone remains unvaccinated. Labor’s call to make jabs compulsory for MPs comes as it declares all of its members have had at least one Covid-19 vaccination.
Leaders of opposition business in both houses have now written to the House of Assembly Speaker Mark Shelton and Legislative Council President Craig Farrell asking for the mandatory jab rule to be enforced in parliament. The request, by Dean Winter and Sarah Lovell, argues that all MPs should be vaccinated for the safety of all who work in the parliament building and to ensure there are no delays to the passage of Bills in what has already been an interrupted parliamentary year.
They also argue MPs should set an example to the rest of the community.
They are all good reasons but there is little doubt there is politics at play here too. Labor is also hoping to embarrass the government by potentially exposing a Liberal member who is yet to get their jab.
At the end of the month Tasmania will enforce its mandatory vaccination rule for all healthcare workers.
This makes perfect sense. All people who work in the sector and who would potentially come into contact with vulnerable Tasmanians should be vaccinated to reduce the chances of them catching the virus.
The vast majority of people who take health care seriously will need no convincing about the value and merits of being fully vaccinated. But there will be some who object and will be forced to leave the industry.
The Public Health direction is fairly broad. It states that “on and after 31 October 2021, a person is not be permitted to enter, or remain on, the premises of a medical or health facility for employment, engagement (including volunteering), placement, or work experience, unless they are sufficiently vaccinated against Covid-19.”
The direction not only applies to clinicians such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists but non-health workers employed in those health facilities including security workers, cleaners, maintenance, catering and administration staff. In all, that’s a lot of people – the latest annual report lists more than 13,600 on the Health Department payroll.
The government has been appealing for Tasmanians to follow the health advice throughout the pandemic. That advice includes for everyone to get vaccinated, unless they have a valid medical reason not to.
It has set an ambitious target of 90 per cent double dose among eligible Tasmanians 16 and over by December 1.
Like it or not members of parliament, and particularly those in government, are leaders in society who need to act as an example.
There should be no objection to making it mandatory for all elected members to be vaccinated.