Councillor Joe Natoli calls for Sunshine Coast Council to stand against vaccine mandates

A Sunshine Coast councillor who opposes the upcoming jab mandate said council staff were recently asked a “discriminatory” question about vaccinations. SEE THE VIDEO

A Sunshine Coast councillor has blasted new vaccine mandates for “creating division” and damaging businesses while also calling out a “discriminatory” question his boss recently asked staff.

Councillor Joe Natoli is calling on Sunshine Coast Council to urge Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to rethink new mandates being introduced on December 17.

Mr Natoli was among thousands to attend an anti-mandate rally at Cotton Tree at the weekend.

He said the council’s CEO Emma Thomas recently asked staff if they would feel “unsafe” working alongside an unvaccinated person.

“This is discriminatory,” Mr Natoli said during his speech at the rally.

“It should never have been asked.”

A council spokesman said the council supported the state and federal government vaccination programs.

From December 17 anyone not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 cannot access hospitality venues and other businesses, state-owned galleries, museums and libraries and sporting events.

As of November 28, 80.4 per cent of Sunshine Coast residents aged 15 and over were fully vaccinated.

Several Queensland councils have raised concern with the mandates including Livingstone, Mackay, Whitsundays, Fraser and Isaac in Central and Northern Queensland.

University of the Sunshine Coast nursing lecturer and infectious diseases expert Matt Mason said it was necessary to increase Queensland’s vaccination rate which on Thursday sat at almost 78 per cent.

“In order to protect the majority this is what we need to do,” he said.

“The choice really is vaccinate, or if we don’t have the right level of vaccination, the only other option we have is lockdowns and border closures.

“From a small business perspective, which one is better?

“I suspect the vaccine is probably more palatable.”

Mr Mason said authorities and experts needed to do more to dispel misinformation and create a better understanding of the need and benefits for Covid-19 vaccinations.

He said there was also a need for clearer advice for people medically unable to receive the vaccine.

“It’s a reasonable discussion to have and I don’t think we should discount people’s beliefs and fears,” he said.

Mr Natoli’s notice of motion tabled ahead of next Thursday’s meeting requested the council raise “serious concerns” about the new restrictions, including its effect on small businesses struggling to recover from lockdowns.

Division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli at Mooloolaba. Picture: John McCutcheon

He said the mandates should be delayed until investigations are done on the social, mental, financial and legal impacts.

“Some businesses may have to close due to owners choosing not to be vaccinated or being unable to operate due to loss of staff,” he said.

According to Mr Natoli more than 32,000 members of the Sunshine Coast Businesses Welcome All Facebook Group indicated they did not support the new mandates and would “welcome all customers”.

He said councillors had received more than 1000 emails from concerned businesses and residents.

“Vaccination must always remain an individual choice and employers should not be placed in a position where they are expected to enforce restrictions that have been imposed by the State Government, and as a result, face losing valued employees,” Mr Natoli said.

The council spokesman said employees were encouraged to receive the vaccination and could do so during work hours.

“Council will follow Queensland Health directives and implement Covid-19 control measures as required.

He said the council would continue to monitor advice and directions from governments.

The matter will be discussed at the council’s ordinary meeting on December 9.