Tuesday, 28 May 2024

COVID-19 vaccination

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (21:06): (915) My adjournment matter is to the Minister for Health regarding the absurd consequences of the government’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Victoria. Given our workforce shortages, especially in regional Victoria, the action I seek is for the government to remove the COVID vaccine requirement. Victoria is lagging behind other states, and the Labor government is stopping qualified people from working in the industry.

I have spoken to paramedics, nurses, doctors and businesses who want the rules updated so they can return to work. Victorians are unable to actually do the job they have been trained for because the government continues to apply rules around these vaccinations. Victoria is facing workforce shortages, and it is time for Victoria to move on. The Treasurer even said in his budget speech:

We’re also winding up COVID-era programs that are no longer needed, as we move into a new phase.

I was speaking with a doctor in Bendigo, who referred to many local nurses and doctors who are unable to work. This doctor was very disappointed that the vaccination for healthcare workers on the Department of Health’s website was recently reviewed, on 2 April 2024, but there has been no change. Just this week I spoke with Sue, a trained nurse from Bendigo, who would be working as a nurse in a regional hospital if the rules were updated. Victoria cannot afford to have valuable professionals out of the workforce. After a decade of Labor our health system is stretched, hospitals are under financial pressure, patients are facing long surgery waitlists and many hospital staff are working double shifts. We need to remove the barriers so our health professionals can return to work.

Our ambulance service is also struggling. I spoke with a lady in Bendigo who called 000 was told to get a taxi because no ambulances were available. Just recently there were up to 10 ambulances ramped outside the Bendigo Hospital. We need to remove the barriers for more paramedics to return to work.

The COVID vaccine mandate also affects businesses. I have spoken with a gardening service in Bendigo that works with NDIS clients, and the vaccine requirements still apply to their service as well. If this vaccination requirement were removed, they could employ more people. But is not just in health alone, the vaccine mandate impacts Fire Rescue Victoria personnel as well. Victoria is the only state which still imposes this restriction, and I ask the government to get a move on and remove the COVID vaccine mandate so more Victorians can get back to work.