COVID-19 vaccination
Mr QUILTY (Northern Victoria) (13:51): My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Health. Back in February this chamber supported a motion to refer the matter of worker vaccine mandates to the Independent Pandemic Management Advisory Committee, IPMAC. Presumably even some members of this chamber who may once have supported mandates recognised that they probably no longer served any purpose. Unfortunately it seems that IPMAC moves at the pace of a ceramic turtle and has given no outward appearance of doing anything at all. Meanwhile my office still receives regular stories of people who are on the verge of bankruptcy and despair, as they are still denied employment, losing their homes. After the absolutely confusing press conference on 20 April some people understandably thought that the work mandates had been lifted and quickly rushed out to secure employment, only to have their hopes crushed once again. Others have fled the state, and at this point I have to wonder if that is the true aim. Minister, when are these work mandates going to end?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (13:52): Thank you, Mr Quilty. As I think I have reflected in this house before, I actually really enjoy your questions. I do not always agree with the content of them, but you just threw me there. Did you make a reference to a ceramic turtle? I am going to pass this one on to the Minister for Health for a detailed response.
Mr QUILTY (Northern Victoria) (13:52): Thank you, Minister. I do not have any more ceramic turtles, unfortunately. These days we are actually allowed to see the health advice and justifications, and I have got to say they are pretty flimsy. On 7 April the acting chief health officer, Professor Cowie, provided advice to the health minister. In point 111 he stated that the general worker mandates were proportionate at the time—past tense. In point 116 he stated that it would be proportionate to shift away from orders mandating vaccines. Subsequent advice from the chief health officer added nothing further to the matter. Clearly the advice to the minister was that it was at his discretion to consider lifting the mandates. We have had similar advice from public health experts. Ordinary Victorians are suffering for no good purpose. Minister, why are you persisting with mandates when the health advice clearly states that it would be proportionate to revoke them?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (13:53): I am advised by colleagues that similar topics that you have raised have been considered by the parliamentary committee that was established in relation to the pandemic laws that passed this chamber last year. In any event, I think it is an evolving matter, but we will see what response we can get from the Minister for Health in relation to the questions that you have raised.