Yvette D’Ath and George Christensen fire shots over low vaccination, preparation for Covid

The Dawson MP has fired back at the state Health Minister over comments surrounding Covid vaccination rates.

Dawson MP George Christensen has fired back at criticism from Queensland’s health minister over his comments on Covid vaccinations, masks and lockdowns.

Yvette D’Ath was critical of Mr Christensen’s stance on the jab, and said he was to blame for low vaccination rates in the region.

But Mr Christensen said the Labor Government had not prepared for the “inevitable arrival of Covid-19” in Mackay.

“Given that we are now almost 18 months down the track, what has the Queensland Labor Government done to prepare for Covid-19 coming into the community?” he said.

George Christensen has hit back at Yvette D’Ath over Covid criticism. Picture: Lillian Watkins

“What has Mackay done to increase Covid capacity? I would suggest if it’s anything less than double what they previously had, they’ve failed.”

Only 57 per cent of Mackay’s eligible residents have received one dose of a Covid vaccination, and Ms D’Ath said Mr Christensen made people believe the virus was “not real”.

“There’s people lying in hospitals on ventilators in ICU and you can have George Christensen standing up saying ‘it’s not real, you have nothing to fear, don’t get vaccinated’,” she said.

Yvette D’Ath has criticised George Christensen over his approach to the Covid pandemic. Picture: Dan Peled

“That is not just irresponsible, that’s dangerous, absolutely dangerous.

“My message for everyone is ‘don’t listen to that drivel’, because that’s all it is, why put your life at risk because someone who is not a healthcare professional trying to give you clinical advice?”

Mackay’s healthcare system has been recorded at capacity, with a Code Yellow issued at Mackay Base Hospital on Tuesday.

Mr Christensen said the system was “sick and struggling” without a Covid case.

“We’ve had four Code Yellows in Mackay this year, and that’s with no Covid cases,” he said.

“This all leaves us with serious concerns about how we would cope with a Covid-19 outbreak in Mackay, or Bowen or Proserpine.”

Walk-in vaccination hubs have increased the vaccination rates in the Mackay region, with the 500 Pavilion increasing staffing and hours in September.

George Christensen has received criticism from Yvette D’Ath about his approach to the Covid pandemic. Picture: Gary Ramage

Ms D’Ath said vaccinating the region was the only protection from outbreaks occurring in New South Wales and Victoria.

“In New South Wales from one cluster, one person on June 16, close to 400 people have died in that state alone,” she said.

“We’re looking at 30 people dying a month now just from the New South Wales cluster in the past three months, that’s shocking numbers.

“There’s one way to have freedom and that’s getting vaccinated, that’s how we’ll open up and have freedom and enjoy our lifestyle again.

“This is as real as it gets, millions of people around the world have contracted the virus, millions of people have died.”