WA introduces Covid-19 vaccine mandate for all workers in the resources sector

Tens of thousands of Aussie workers will need to get the Covid-19 jab by the start of next year after another sweeping mandate.

Tens of thousands of workers in Western Australia’s resources sector will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by the start of next year.

WA Premier Mark McGowan on Tuesday announced the sweeping mandate for the industry, which applies to fly-in-fly out workers and other staff in mining, exploration, oil and gas and resources sites.

Mr McGowan said this also applied to anyone working in “remote operations” or running critical infrastructure including remote train and port control.

He said the rule extended to any visitors to mines or oil and petroleum operations.

“That means to work, they will be required to have received their first Covid-19 vaccine by December 1,” he said.

“These workers will need to be fully vaccinated by January 1 next year.”

There are about 141,000 resources sector workers in WA.

Tens of thousands of workers in Western Australia’s resources sector will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Picture: Supplied via Rio Tinto

Mr McGowan attributed the decision to the “growing crisis” on Australia’s east coast, and globally, saying WA was “obliged to do more” to protect people from the virus.

He said the timeline for the vaccines had been reached after consultation with the resources sector, unions and health representatives.

“[It has] been agreed upon to give enough time to workers and to employers to access vaccination,” he said.

“This move is based on health advice.”

CME CEO Paul Everingham says the WA #mining & resources sector supports the @WAGovernment's decision making it mandatory for workers visiting #mine sites, #gas facilities, and critical operations to be vaccinated for #COVID19. #auspol#perthnewspic.twitter.com/eMPaBOj3P1

— CMEWA (@CMEWA) October 5, 2021

Fronting the press, Paul Everingham, Chief Executive Officer of the The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, said members and the work force “supported” the move.

Mr Everignham said that approximately 20 per cent of workers initially felt some vaccine hesitation but for the most part it was uniform.

Today, that number now stands at below five per cent.

“We just can’t impose unwell and unvaccinated people in the regional and remote communities that we work in,” he told ABC News Perth Drive, calling the decision “inevitable”.

“Australia is a democratic country, you do have a right to not get vaccinated, and that’s your own free right,” he said.

“But with freedom comes personal responsibility, and with freedom doesn’t come the right to impose your illness on other people.

“I wouldn’t say there is an obligation on anyone to provide a job to someone who chooses not to have a vaccination.”

The Mining and Energy division of the CFMMEU and the Australian Workers’ Union – two of the biggest unions representing mining workers – have previously said they don’t support mandatory vaccination.

WA Premier Mark McGowan on Tuesday announced the sweeping mandate for the resources industry. Picture: Colin Murty/The Australian

“We do not support mandatory vaccination in mining and energy workplaces; nor is it reasonably practicable to expect these workers, not on the front line of fighting Covid to be compulsorily required to be fully vaccinated,” the Mining and Energy division said on August 25.

“Decisions about mandatory vaccination for any group of workers are made by health authorities and not by individual employers or employer associations.”

There are now 16 active Covid cases in WA, with four in hotel quarantine and six in hospital, including two people in intensive care.

Originally published as WA introduces Covid-19 vaccine mandate for all workers in the resources sector