‘Dangerous views’: Scott Morrison’s vaccine comments savaged by Mark McGowan, Daniel Andrews and Steven Miles

The Prime Minister has been accused of ‘breaking ranks’ to score political points by refusing to back mandated Covid-19 vaccinations.

Scott Morrison has been accused of sharing “very dangerous views” on vaccination policies and chasing votes from extremists in bitter blasts from state leaders.

The Prime Minister infuriated senior state figures following his comments on vaccine mandates when he declared: “It’s time for governments to step back and for Australians to take their lives back.”

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan said Mr Morrison should stand with state and territory leaders after a series of violent attacks from extremist anti-vaxxers across the country.

“Mainstream political parties and senior political leaders need to stand together on getting people vaccinated,” Mr McGowan told reporters on Friday.

“We can’t have some people breaking ranks to try to win some political points among some people somewhere.

“These sorts of messages are completely unhelpful and counter-productive, so I just urge the Prime Minister to stand with all of the state premiers and chief ministers who are putting in place measures – Liberal and Labor – to get people vaccinated across Australia.

“It’s imperative that he does that. He can’t send mixed messages on these issues.”

Premier Mark McGowan has accused the Prime Minister of being divisive. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tony McDonough

Mr McGowan further urged Mr Morrison not to “break ranks at this late stage” of the pandemic.

“We’re on the cusp of coming out of this with high levels of vaccination, with important industries vaccinated, with people who are working with vulnerable people vaccinated,” he said.

“Stand with us, don’t seek to divide on this.”

When asked if his comments were part of a co-ordinated attack by Labor, Mr McGowan noted the Liberal-led states of South Australia, NSW and Tasmania had also introduced vaccine mandates.

“They’re all Liberal state governments. They all have mandates in place,” he said.

“Imagine if the mining industry stopped operating because Covid got in there, what that would do to the country? So we have to do these things.

“So I just say to the Prime Minister, please just join us, support us, help us on this.

“It’s imperative for the country that we’re united on this important issue.”

Mr McGowan’s electorate office was forced to shut down following alleged death, bombing and rape threats by extremist anti-vaxxers.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he is ’not in favour of mandatory vaccines imposed by the government’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles was also particularly irked by Mr Morrison’s criticism of his state’s wide-ranging vaccine requirement for venues from December 17.

Mr Morison said it would leave unvaccinated residents unable to buy a coffee.

Mr Miles said that comment lacked logic and labelled the general sentiment as “very dangerous views”.

“He made that statement yesterday about Queensland where he specifically mentioned Brisbane from Sydney, where you have to be vaccinated to get a cup of coffee,” the Deputy Premier told reporters on Friday morning.

“So, it’s surprising, or perhaps not surprising, that he singles out Queensland while ignoring the fact similar restrictions operate in his home city.

“The Prime Minister requires journalists to be vaccinated to attend his press conferences – why should a barista in Brisbane be less safe at work than the Prime Minister at one of his press conferences at home in Sydney?”

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said Mr Morrison’s comments were dangerous. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

Daniel Andrews took the Prime Minister’s perceived support of those protesting against the state’s vaccine mandate personally given the Victoria Premier had received threats of violence towards him and his family.

Mr Morrison said there was no place for “threats and intimidation” from anti-Andrews activists but also revealed sympathy and an understanding for why people were angry and resentful.

“There are many people who are feeling frustrated,” Mr Morrison told reporters.

These comments were blasted by the Victorian Premier, who accused Mr Morrison of delicately collecting support in the lead-up to the federal election.

“We have seen extremists, rabid anti-vaxxers and others making all sorts of threats, threats against me, my wife and my kids,” Mr Andrews told Channel 9’s Today program.

“I‘m committed to doing what has to be done. I’m not about chasing, through doublespeak, the votes of extremists or their preferences.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has roasted Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s record on vaccines. Picture: Sam Tabone/Getty Images

Victoria eased Covid restrictions on Thursday, meaning the state now has more freedoms than NSW.

Mr Andrews also said it “was a bit rich” for a prime minister from Sydney to be lecturing people about freedom.

“We have done the hard yards because there was not a vaccine,” he said.

“If there had been a vaccine earlier, when the virus came from Sydney this year, we would not have needed to lockdown.”

In another breakfast TV segment, Defence Minister Peter Dutton defended Mr Morrison, backing his stance on states reopening.

“The Prime Minister has made a perfectly sensible remark here,” the Queensland-based Mr Dutton told Nine’s Today show.

“That is, the states in the plan they've signed up to, the commitment they gave to the country is when we got to 80 per cent double vaccination rate we would go back to having to live with this.

“You cannot segregate a part of the community, even if you disagree with the decision they've made, and we are moving into a phase now where we have to live with this virus.”

Originally published as ‘Dangerous views’: Scott Morrison’s vaccine comments savaged by Mark McGowan, Daniel Andrews and Steven Miles