Why Bruce Devereaux says Gympie council will not join Covid vaccine mandate debate
While many politicians across the Wide Bay have made their stance clear on the Covid jab mandates, one Gympie councillor says they should not be involved. Find out why:
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The deadline for Queensland’s new Covid vaccine mandates is drawing closer, but a Gympie Regional councillor says Gympie council should not join the debate, despite other Wide Bay politicians weighing in.
The Fraser Coast, Bundaberg and North Burnett councils have debated the topic and some have raised concerns over how their communities will be affected post December 17.
Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey - endorsed by his council - wrote to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk asking for clarification on how Queensland will return to normal “without segregation” once the state reaches 90 per cent vaccination. He was joined by the likes of Fraser Coast Councillor James Hansen when his council did the same.
In the North Burnett, a statement by outgoing Mayor Rachel Chambers said the proposed vaccination mandates were “unfair” on the community and a “step too far”.
Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien this week crossed the floor to support Craig Kelly’s motion to suspend parliamentary standing orders to debate his “no passport” bill, but says he supports vaccines as “the most important measure we have”.
But Gympie councillor Bruce Devereaux said his council should stay out of the debate.
Mr Devereaux said in emails exchanged with Gympie resident Emily Campbell that taking a position in the debate could risk future funding from the State Government.
“We need those grants or we’ll be lifting rates to horrendous levels to cover the millions we receive each year,” he said.
He said that funding was crucial for the upkeep of projects across the region.
Mr Devereaux told the Gympie Times on Wednesday (December 1) the Gympie regional council was told to “stay in their lane” in regards to the issue, and the onus of other council’s actions was on them.
“We need state support in our area, so I’m not prepared to … destroy our good relationship (with the State Government),” he said.
He said his understanding was a good relationship with the State Government could affect whether or not Gympie would receive funds.
“We don’t want to be put ourselves in the position where they’re frowning at us,” he said.
A Gympie regional council spokesperson said the council continued to encourage members of the community to discuss vaccinations with their health care professional.
As of November 29, 70.4 per cent of Gympie’s population over 15 is fully vaccinated, placing the region more than 10 per cent behind Queensland’s overall vaccine percentage.
The State vaccine mandates are set to take effect on December 17, or when Queensland records 80 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.
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