Pauline Hanson joins hundreds of Ipswich businesses in fight against Covid-19 mandate

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former Queensland premier Campbell Newman have joined hundreds of Ipswich business owners in their fight against looming Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

Hundreds of business owners have joined a class action against the Queensland government over Covid-19 vaccine mandates after a ‘pro-choice’ rally at Ipswich this week, where federal One Nation leader Pauline Hanson had a rousing reception.

Raceview Italian Mediterranean restaurant owner Mario Grimaldi, who insists he is not “anti-vaccination” but “anti-discrimination”, held an ‘Ipswich businesses for pro-choice’ event on Thursday, December 9.

About 330 people attended the event – 300 of whom were registered Ipswich business owners.

Ms Hanson told the room she had no intention of getting vaccinated against Covid-10, saying she was “not putting that s*** in my body”.

She said she would not listen to bureaucrats, the United Nations, or the World Health Organisation “pushing their agenda” to “take away my freedom”, but insisted she was “not an anti-vaxxer”.

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman and Great Australian Party candidate Jason Miles also spoke at the event.

No Ipswich City councillors or local state or federal members of parliament attended.

Senator Pauline Hanson. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Ms Hanson’s remarks came the same day Queensland hit its 80 per cent vaccination target.

The Australian government’s most recent statistics, dated Friday, December 10, indicate 93 per cent of Australians over the age of 16 have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 89 per cent are fully vaccinated.

A majority of businesses in the tourism and business sectors have welcomed the state’s public health measures linked to vaccination status, including that only fully vaccinated people will be permitted to attend “high-risk” settings like pubs, bars, and restaurants when Queensland’s borders open next week.

The state is now working towards its 90 per cent vaccination milestone, which will see more people protected from catching and spreading the virus, reducing the threat of serious illness, hospitalisation and death.

“I’ll tell you honestly: I haven’t had the jab, I don’t intend to have the jab, I’m not putting that s*** in my body,” Ms Hanson said on Thursday.

The crowd responded with applause.

“I’ve taken that stance and that is my choice,” she continued.

“I’m not an anti-vaxxer, but I am very careful what I put into my body. I felt that I’ve kept pretty good health all my life, and I intend to keep it that way.

“I don’t intend to listen to bureaucrats or politicians, or UN or WHO pushing their own agenda and take away my freedoms, my rights, my choices when that’s why I’m fighting this issue and so should you.”

Ipswich Italian restaurant Casa Mia owner Mario Grimaldi. Picture: The Queensland Times / David Nielsen

Mr Grimaldi said the ‘pro-choice’ event was an opportunity for members of Ipswich’s business community to speak freely about their concerns regarding the looming Covid-19 vaccination mandates.

“There were a lot of local businesses there,” he said.

“Everyone was supportive on the night. From a business perspective, I think (the mandates are) crazy.

“It’s hard enough to run a business as it is, let alone choosing who you want to let through the front door.

“I don’t believe many (businesses) will follow through. Any business who does … well, that’s the end of their business.”

The next “assembly” of ‘pro-choice’ Ipswich businesses will be held on Wednesday, December 15, with guest speakers to be announced in the coming days.

Mr Grimaldi said the meeting will cover “real, hands-on” topics, such as “how to respond to police threats”, “how to fight an unjust fine”, and an “introduction to laws and unjust rules”.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was joined by former Queensland premier Campbell Newman and Great Australian Party candidate Jason Miles in speaking at the ‘pro-choice’ event at Ipswich on Thursday, December 9. Picture: Facebook / Casa Mia

He said police officers who have left the forced because they do not wish to get vaccinated will be in attendance.

The ‘pro-choice’ group is calling on others to “join the fight for small business rights” and participate in a class action against the Queensland government over the vaccine mandates.

Mr Grimaldi said hundreds had joined since the class action was launched three months ago.

The topic has been a contentious one across the state in recent weeks, with hundreds of business leaders also attending ‘pro-choice’ forums on the Sunshine Coast and in the Darling Downs.

Sunshine Coast councillor Joe Natoli has been particularly vocal, pushing for his council to stand against the new rules barring unvaccinated people from businesses.

His move was rejected eight votes to eight.

In the Southern Downs, Ms Hanson was among hundreds to oppose the upcoming mandate at an emotionally-charged gathering on Tuesday, December 7.

The event, held at a Warwick fitness centre, was organised to rally support for declaring the Southern Downs a ‘pro-choice’ council area.