SA Senator Alex Antic declares ‘no end date' to voting threats over vaccine mandates

Alex Antic has been lambasted as a “political fraud” by a fellow SA senator – but he’s standing by his threats to withhold his vote on government Bills until the PM overturns vax mandates.

Rebel Liberal senator Alex Antic has been labelled a “political fraud” for his attempts to hold the federal government to ransom over jab mandates.

The right-wing senator has defended his decision to withhold his vote on government Bills until Prime Minister Scott Morrison overturns vaccination mandates controlled by states, declaring there was “no end date” to his threat.

Mr Morrison has urged his colleagues to stay disciplined and not “put a smile on Labor’s face” heading into an election.

After a chaotic start to the final parliamentary sitting fortnight for 2021 included five government senators crossing the floor on the jab mandates, Mr Morrison used a joint party room meeting of Liberal and National members on Tuesday to remind the team what was at “stake”.

“Discipline and unity wins elections, and if we surrender that we surrender government,” Mr Morrison said.

“Are we going to leave (the parliament fortnight) having given our political opponents in the Labor Party great courage? Will you put a smile on Labor’s face, or a smile on those who want to see us re-elected?”

Nationals Senators Matt Canavan, Sam McMahon and Liberal Senators Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Gerard Rennick and Alex Antic vote for One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson’s vaccine discrimination bill on Monday. Picture: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Senator Antic has been criticised by independent SA senator Rex Patrick for being absent during crucial motions on Tuesday. Senator Antic was absent for a motion to allow debate on a federal ICAC Bill and he was given a pair with a Labor MP to even the numbers.

Senator Patrick said it meant he was “still supporting the government”.

“He’s not showing up in the chamber even though he is there (in parliament),” Senator Patrick said.

“He’s not carrying out his threat and is too cowardly to let people see it. He’s a political fraud.”

Senator Antic hit back, labelling Senator Patrick’s comments “disappointing”.

“He would be better served by using his last few months in parliament constructively,” Senator Antic said.

Senator Antic said he would continue withholding his vote until Mr Morrison overturned state vaccination mandates.

“I am keen to resolve it, so I don’t think there is any end date,” he said.

In a speech delivered in the Senate on Tuesday night, Senator Antic vehemently opposed vaccine mandates.

“Most Australians take it for granted that denying employment, services or basic rights based on gender, race, sexuality, religious or political views is wrong,” he said.

“Yet today, those who reject a Covid vaccine are being marginalised and demonised for no reason other than they refuse to comply with the whims of power-hungry health bureaucracies all around the country. History will not look kindly upon such actions.”

Political observers have questioned why Senator Antic would withhold support for key government proposals aligned with his views.

Among them include a Bill aimed at cracking down on left-wing activists, such as those who viciously targeted his ally, Nicolle Flint.

Labor senator Don Farrell said Senator Antic’s actions had thrown the government into “chaos”.

“South Australians deserve so much better than dysfunction and chaos that has become the norm for the government,” he said.

Senator Antic’s stance throws into doubt several key government promises, including new religious freedoms, voter identification reforms and a federal anti-corruption commission.

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Originally published as SA Senator Alex Antic declares ‘no end date' to voting threats over vaccine mandates