Morwell electorate
Mr NORTHE (Morwell) (14:50): (6482) My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Health. Minister, what is the latest information with regard to the requirement that CFA volunteers must be COVID triple vaccinated to be an active member of their local fire brigade? I have been contacted by multiple CFA volunteers from local brigades who are extremely concerned that this rule is negatively impacting their ability and capacity to turn out to emergency events. These selfless people have given so much to their communities, yet even if they are double vaccinated, they are still currently precluded from assisting a fellow community member in need because of this outdated restriction. If a house is on fire and lives are at risk, do we think those in danger really care if the first responder is not triple vaccinated? But that is the practical reality of where we sit right now and coming into the fire season, so we therefore implore the Minister for Health and the indeed the Minister for Emergency Services to remove this restriction to allow CFA volunteers to turn out and support their community when needed.