Premier warns PM on controversial vaccine choice

Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned Scott Morrison against deferring a controversial decision over who must get vaccinated to the states, saying the ball’s ‘in his court’.

Queensland will take no part in controversial discussions about mandating the Covid-19 vaccination in workplaces, with Annastacia Palaszczuk warning the Prime Minister it was a decision that must be made by his government.

Debate about whether workers in certain sectors should be forced to get the Covid-19 vaccination has stoked concern among unions and industries which have questioned the legalities of such a move.

Food processor SPC has given its workers six weeks to book a vaccination or be banned from the worksite.

Scott Morrison has refused to indemnify employers which issue mandatory vaccination directions to staff and has not revealed the government’s position on the matter.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned the Prime Minister against deferring the vaccine mandate to the states. NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Ms Palaszczuk on Friday pre-emptively warned Mr Morrison about deferring the controversial decision to states and territories.

“It’s a federal issue and I think the ball is in the Prime Minister’s court here, with all due respect,” she said.

“When it comes to issues about mandatory vaccines it is the Federal Government that should be sitting down with industry and unions – it is entirely a matter for them.

“I‘ve heard some reports about it being pushed out to the states, let me say very clearly, the national vaccination program and whether or not they want to mandate certain sectors is a matter for the national government

“They need to step up and it’s up for their national cabinet to make those decisions – you can’t just push it out to the states, it’s not our responsibility.”