Thursday, 24 March 2022

COVID-19 vaccination

Mr QUILTY (Northern Victoria) (18:23): (1847) My adjournment item is for the Minister for Health. While the Liberal Democrats have been outspoken about the damage being caused by the government’s endless restrictions on citizens, it appears that even now they can hit new lows on the people being impacted. We have been contacted with stories that I hope will force the minister to finally realise the horrible impact his pandemic orders are still having on the community.

There was recently an incident in Castlemaine where the police were called to physically remove two individuals from premises they were not allowed to enter. ‘Were these hardened criminals’, you ask, ‘to have the police called to remove them?’. No. They were two young mothers who tried to take their children to the library to borrow books.

We received a call last week from a lady who has been experiencing homelessness over the past five years. While she called requesting an update on the motion passed by this house last month requesting that the Independent Pandemic Management Advisory Committee review the vaccine mandates, she stated the reason she was interested was that she normally showered at the local aquatic centre. The government’s vaccine segregation has created a situation where she struggles to find ways to manage her hygiene. She simply wants the mandates removed so she can shower and visit the library.

For those this government has locked out of society, this is still far from over. Minister, based on the impacts the open premises orders are having on some of the most vulnerable in the community, we believe you should end them immediately. If you will not do that, will you at least commit to changing the current Pandemic (Open Premises) Order 2022 (No 5) to allow for aquatic centres and libraries to be excluded?