SA Senator Alex Antic rubbishes Parliament House’s face mask plea

MPs at the new parliament were asked to wear masks. It’s not a political request, but masks appeared roughly along party lines – and guess who was outspoken about his mask rejection.

As droves of parliamentarians and staffers descended on Canberra to commence the 47th parliament, there was one Covid recommendation that divided them all.

Before parliament sat on Tuesday for the first time since the May election, the presiding officers told MPs, Senators and staff that the use of face masks indoors was “strongly encouraged”.

A cursory glance across the House of Representatives chamber revealed a stark contrast.

All Labor and Greens MP were masked up, except for when speaking, while many on the Coalition side chose not to wear one.

Darren Chester, Andrew Gee, Karen Andrews, Rowan Ramsey and former Speaker Andrew Wallace were the only Coalition MPs to cover up in the lower house.

Karen Andrews was the only member of the Liberal front bench to be masked up. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

In the upper house, South Australian senator Alex Antic also rubbished the plea and slammed the advice on social media.

“We’ve been told it is strongly recommended that we all wear masks around the building – and I strongly recommend that people who continue to push masking to give it up completely,” Senator Antic said in a video uploaded to Facebook.

“This is all about control and it’s all about coercion.

“Having every MP and senator in this building wearing these masks around does nothing more than advertise fear around the country – all those images are broadcast.”

Addressing the camera, Senator Antic said, “you can wear a mask if you want to, by all means, but I won’t be”, before scrunching a disposable face mask in his hands.

The post attracted more than 4000 engagements in just two hours, with hundreds voicing their support for Senator Antic’s message.

Face masks at Parliament House are readily available at all entrances of the building, but they have not been mandated across the country.

On Monday, the presiding officers sent a memo to all Parliament House staff urging the use of face masks “where physical distancing is not possible”.

Last week, Australians were again urged to wear masks amid a “third Omicron wave”.

Chief medical officer Paul Kelly said he was playing a “leadership role” by wearing a mask.

“We know that wearing masks do reduce the spread and protect yourself and protect others if you’re away from home and indoors in a crowded place, I really very strongly suggest that you do wear masks,’’ Professor Kelly said.

Officials urged South Australians to mask up their kids when returning to school this week.

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