Scott Morrison slams Queensland MP George Christensen over ‘dangerous’ vax messages

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has publicly admonished controversial Queensland Coalition MP George Christensen for spreading “dangerous” vaccine misinformation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has publicly admonished controversial Queensland MP George Christensen for spreading “dangerous” vaccine misinformation.

Mackay-based MP Mr Christensen, who has been regularly criticised for spreading vaccine misinformation, has been promoting an episode of his podcast which calls for parents not to vaccinate their children against Covid-19.

This despite overwhelming advice from experts and peer-reviewed research pointing to the importance of Covid-19 vaccination, including in children, to lower the risk of significant illness and death from the virus.

The Coalition government has copped criticism, particularly from the federal Opposition, for its soft touch when it comes to action against anti-vaxxers within its own ranks.

Mr Morrison, in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, said he “strongly disagreed” with Mr Christensen’s view on children’s vaccinations.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Nationals Member for Dawson George Christensen’s anti-vaccine stance “dangerous”. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

“It is contrary to the official professional medical advice provided to the Government, and I urge parents to disregard his dangerous messages in relation vaccines,” he said.

“Vaccinations are our primary weapon against this virus … If you are not vaccinated against the virus you are more likely to experience severe illness and die. Getting vaccinated saves lives.”

Queensland Labor Senator Murray Watt criticised Mr Morrison’s statement as “more spin from the Prime Marketer”.

“For all his tough talk, Scott Morrison still takes George Christensen’s vote … and he still does nothing to stop his MP spreading dangerous misinformation,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s comments come after federal health minister Greg Hunt said anti-vaxxers, like Mr Christensen, had “lost the debate”.

“Frankly, the anti-vaxxers are just losing the debate. They’ve lost the debate,” he said, pointing to Australia’s vaccination rate of 95 per cent of the population aged 16+ getting at least one dose of the jab.

More than 92 per cent of Australians aged 16 and older have had both doses of the Covid-19 jab.

“(Australia’s vaccine coverage is) beyond the conception of almost any commentator or observer through the course of the pandemic and yet we push through,” Mr Hunt said.

Australia’s chief medical officer Dr Paul Kelly said top government doctors in every state and territory were “one voice” in the need for children as young as five to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

“So please go ahead with that,” he said.