Victorian MPs call vaccine mandates ‘undemocratic’, refuse to hand over Covid certificates

Victorian MPs are refusing to comply with an emergency mandate in a move that could result in them being banned from parliament.

People line up to get their Covid vaccinations at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Victorian MPs are refusing to hand over their Covid vaccination records, claiming the rule that could see them blocked from parliament if they don’t comply is “undemocratic” and encroaches on human rights.

In a national first for Australia, the state government is moving to prevent unvaccinated MPs and parliamentary staff from entering or voting in parliament.

If passed, the motion would bar parliamentary staff from entering the chamber and revoke their security passes if they fail to show proof of their first dose by October 15.

The mandates are part of Victoria’s state of emergency laws, which have given the government power to force entire industries to get the jab.

Liberal Democrats MP David Limbrick, who attended recent anti-lockdown protests and rallied for greater freedoms during the pandemic, called the move a “disgrace”.

He and fellow MP Tim Quilty are both refusing to hand over their medical details despite saying they are fully vaccinated.

The Age on Friday revealed Liberal MP Neil Angus was unwilling to get the jab.

Liberal Democrats David Limbrick and Tim Quilty have protested against government restrictions in the past. Picture: Mark Stewart

David Limbrick has called the new mandate undemocratic. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

“We think that this engages a new human right that we haven’t seen happen before where the bureaucrats can effectively determine who can and can’t take part in public life,” Mr Limbrick said.

“We think this is a horrifying precedent, that bureaucrats can determine which medical procedures you need to be a democratic representative.

“We’ve got no problem with people choosing to take vaccines voluntarily but we do have a serious issue around consent – it is only valid when it’s free from pressure and coercion.”

Hundreds of Victorians have protested against government powers in recent months. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Riot Squad police awaited any anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protesters as they marched through Melbourne's CBD. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

Violent protests last month erupted in Melbourne over vaccine mandates and Covid restrictions, with smaller protests popping up across the city ever since.

The state government announced it would mandate vaccines for dozens of industries across the state, forcing hundreds of thousands of Victorians to get the jab.

The list includes professional athletes, actors, journalists, teachers, hospitality workers, lawyers, police officers, faith leaders and personal trainers among other professions.

Premier Daniel Andrews said authorised workers had to get the jab if they wanted to continue working. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Premier Daniel Andrews said people would need to get the vaccine “if they wanted to continue working” and the mandate would help Victoria’s health system from becoming overwhelmed.

Authorised workers must be fully vaccinated by November 26.

“This is critically important to keep case numbers down,” Mr Andrews said.

“This is not about stopping people going to work, it’s about making sure we can open up.

“It’s about making sure people can go to work, that they can be safe and that we can defend and deliver our road map for reopening.”

Protests erupted in Melbourne last month as people rallied against mandatory vaccines. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

The Liberal Democrats believe the Victorian government has been given too much power during the pandemic, with its state of emergency bill repeatedly extended since March 2020.

The laws give the government power to enforce lockdowns, give greater powers to police and have now led to vaccine mandates being introduced.

Mr Quilty said it had gone against hundreds of years of parliamentary law.

“The government has been overstepping its reach and the whole use of emergency powers have been going too far,” Mr Quilty said.

“They’ve been given massive trust with these powers but they’ve broken that trust. These vaccine mandates are just way too far and it’s got to stop.”

Tim Quilty said the Victorian government had been overstepping its reach.

Debate in Victoria’s lower house this week became heated after Victorian Labor MP Jaala Pulford was accused of calling Mr Limbrick a “right wing extremist” over his question about industry mandates.

Mr Limbrick questioned what the government would advise employers to do if staff refused to be vaccinated or hand over their private medical details.

“I know that he has an audience and attracts an audience that is vehemently opposed to the scientific basis of the vaccination program, which is the thing between us and an open economy,” Ms Pulford said.

“I would encourage you to reflect on how people interpret your appearance at public events like the riots at the union office a couple of weeks ago.”

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas on Friday said getting vaccinated or wearing a masking “wasn’t an ideological debate or political statement, after Mr Limbrick and Mr Quilty called the motion a power grab.

“It might be an expression of their liberty but it’s also a threat to those they interact with if they can’t demonstrate that they are vaccinated,” Mr Pallas said.

“I urge them to shed the ideology momentarily and think about the wellbeing of the people they interact with.

“The virus doesn’t differentiate between those concerns.”

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan confirmed on Thursday the state government was seeking legal advice on making the jab mandatory for WA MPs after making it compulsory for health, quarantine, port and FIFO workers.

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Originally published as Victorian MPs call vaccine mandates ‘undemocratic’, refuse to hand over Covid certificates