Clive Palmer pledges support for Supreme Court challenge of Queensland police Covid vaccine mandate
Clive Palmer has pledged his support for a Supreme Court challenge of a push to make Queensland police officers get the Covid vaccine, slamming the move as “un-Australian”.
Police & Courts
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United Australia Party chairman Clive Palmer claims an attempt by Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll to force police to vaccinate is un-Australian.
Mr Palmer issued a statement today, as a group of police officers were about to challenge Commissioner Carroll’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate in the Supreme Court.
They claim it removes their “fundamental common law rights”.
Ms Carroll has told officers they must have their first Covid-19 vaccine by October 4 and their second by January 24, showing proof to their superiors.
If they don’t they will be suspended with pay before being given seven days to say why they shouldn’t be suspended without pay.
But seven people – Dylan Mark Johnston, Benjamin Owen Oakley, Kevin Joseph Gheringer, Tony Adam Payne, Connan Keith Barrell, Benjamin Shanahan and Tonia Marcelle Lance – have challenged the directive and say the decision impairs, affects or removes their “fundamental common law rights and statutory rights and obligations”.
It is understood the majority are police officers.
They have lodged an application for judicial review in the Supreme Court and are being represented by solicitor Sam Iskander, of Alexander Law.
Among Mr Iskander’s previous notable cases, he was engaged by Clive Palmer and Israel Folau in legal action in his bid to return to rugby league.
“All Australians should have the right to choose,’’ Mr Palmer said, in a public statement this morning, separate to the proceedings.
“I can foresee the Queensland Police Service and the Queensland Government risking financial claims in the future over mandated vaccinations,” Mr Palmer said.
“If these vaccines cause harm or death, then families will have the right to be fully compensated.”
Mr Palmer said forcing police to vaccinate against their wishes breached the rules of natural justice and human rights.
“It is an assault on these men and women who should have the same rights as any Australian citizen,” Mr Palmer said.
Mr Palmer said he supported the police service employees who showed “great courage” in bringing the matter before the Supreme Court.
“These people are concerned about their rights and their health. This matter is far more important than politics,” Mr Palmer said.
“The State Government wants to play politics, but politicians don’t face the daily responsibilities that our frontline workers do.
“The Police Commissioner is seeking to strip the rights that other citizens enjoy from Queensland police. She is seeking to give a directive against the Human Rights Act.”
Mr Palmer said the Police Commissioner should resign.
A similar application by 13 people, including health workers and paramedics, against Director-General of Queensland Health, Dr John Wakefield and the State of Queensland, also is being heard along with the police application today.
Queensland Health workers who attend locations where patient care is provided have been told they must get at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by midnight tonight and be fully inoculated by the end of October.
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