Paul Starick: Eventually, vaccinated people will demand greater freedoms | The State

The first skirmish that will lead to the creation of at least two classes of Australian citizen has begun and will be our greatest pandemic test yet, writes Paul Starick.

The great catchcry of the pandemic – “We’re all in this together” – is soon to be shattered as vaccine mandates and passports create at least two classes of Australian citizens.

The initial skirmish has already erupted, with Victorian food processor SPC on Thursday becoming the first Australian company to mandate a Covid-19 vaccine for staff, contractors and visitors to its Shepparton site. Unions condemned as “unrealistic” SPC’s requirement for staff to have their first jab booked within six weeks, when many were not even eligible for inoculation.

But this debate will widen and almost certainly intensify as Australia’s inoculation rates rise in coming weeks. SPC is already being viewed as a test case.

Frustration is rising about repeated and sustained lockdowns. Eventually, vaccinated people will demand greater freedoms.

This looms as the greatest test of national and community unity since the pandemic erupted in March last year. Significant numbers of people who do not consider themselves am­ong the fringe anti-vaxxer movement are hesitant about Covid-19 vaccines.

A protesters at an Adelaide “Freedom Rally” that saw people campaign against vaccine lockdowns, rules and vaccines. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Some are worried about their hasty development and rollout, others are suspicious of governments pushing them to be inoculated – there are numerous reasons. Overcoming this hesitancy to meet 70 per cent and 80 per cent national vaccination targets is imperative if society is to be opened up.

Passports allowing greater freedoms for the vaccinated will be a vital tool in this campaign. Fully vaccinated people already have digital passports and these have been rolled out to Apple and Google wallets. For now, though, they have no application.

QR code vaccine certificates have been endorsed for international travel but their application within Australia has not been determined.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, on May 18, said an “achievable step … with our international borders up” would mean “vaccinated Australians would be in a much lower-risk position when restrictions were to kick in on Australians going on public transport or going to theatres or going to the footy, or whatever they might do, family get-togethers”.

Premier Steven Marshall repeatedly has declared national cabinet should decide a consistent position on vaccine passports but outlined plans to add them to the mySAGov app used for QR code check-ins. However, Mr Marshall has sidestepped questions about details of proposals he might take to national cabinet.

Asked by The Advertiser about vaccine passes, national vaccine rollout co-ordinator-general Lieutenant General John Frewen said “incentives are something we will consider” and “may be useful later in the year” to counter vaccine hesitancy.

“Vaccine passports are ultimately a decision for the federal and state governments, but I think we should look at ways to encourage people to get the jab,” he said.

“Already, other countries are putting in place vaccine passports and I think they could be part of the way going forward.

“What is resonating with people right now is being able to get back to the sort of lifestyle we used to enjoy; international travel, not going into lockdowns, not wearing masks and being able to go to major events.”

This includes opening up CBDs, which have been hammered by lockdowns and people working from home. Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said she was open to the idea of vaccine travel passports, once vaccines were universally available and everyone who can be inoculated had the opportunity.

“Increased travel from interstate and overseas, including the return of international students, would go a long way towards supporting our city’s recovery,” she said.

“However, I respect and believe in every individual’s fundamental right of freedom of choice and hold some concerns about how the passport might be used, particularly as there are people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons.”

France’s health pass certifying vaccination, which was upheld by that nation’s highest court on Thursday, has triggered violent protests. Crucially, France’s requirement since July 21 for a health pass to access museums, cinemas and swimming pools has spurred a surge in vaccination rates.

The pass – of which, polling shows, most French approve – also will be required from Monday to enter restaurants, bars, cafes, large shopping malls and long-distance trains.

Israel, where more than 62 per cent have been fully vaccinated with Pfizer, is imposing similar restrictions from Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s justification is stark: “Those who refuse vaccines hurt us all because if all of us were vaccinated, we would all be able to maintain daily life. But if one million Israelis continue to not get vaccinated, this will oblige the eight million others to shut themselves in their homes.”

This is powerful, accurate and a glimpse into Australia’s future.