MP Nick Dametto says penalising unvaccinated teachers nasty and bad form

The Department of Education says Queensland’s unvaccinated teachers have been given ample opportunity to get vaxxed — now they’re facing a pay cut.

UNVACCINATED public school teachers are facing the loss of around $10,000 in pay as a penalty for not complying with a direction to get vaccinated for Covid-19.

Katter’s Australian Party MP Nick Dametto has called out the action as “nasty” and counter-productive amid a teacher shortage and “getting back to normal”.

But the Queensland Department of Education says staff have been given ample opportunity to follow the direction or provide evidence on why they should be exempt.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated teachers have also been warned they face further discipline if they post comments about it on social media.

A letter from the human resources section of the department to one teacher says the officer is giving “serious consideration” to a reprimand and a “reduction in remuneration” for 20 weeks.

“ … you are afforded a period of seven days from the date of this letter (August 1) to show cause why the above disciplinary action should not be taken,” the letter says.

Mr Dametto said he understood there was research showing unvaccinated people were more likely to get Covid-19 and more likely to spread it but that mandates were being eased and unvaccinated teachers, as of this week, were being allowed back to work.

Mr Dametto flanked by KAP MPs Bob Katter (left) and Shane Knuth.

It is also the case that students have not been required to be vaccinated.

Mr Dametto said he had been approached by several teachers distressed by the department’s actions and that they had already “taken a hit” in lost wages during suspensions, some for as much as 12 months.

“I don’t see it as good form. I don’t think it passes the pub test,” Mr Dametto said.

“We should be moving on and putting this behind us and getting back to normal.”

A spokeswoman for the department said no final decisions on proposed disciplinary penalties had been made.

“School staff were given ample opportunity to follow the lawful direction or provide evidence as to why they should be exempt from the direction since the vaccination requirements were announced in November 2021,” the spokeswoman said.

Education Minister Grace Grace is on leave and could not be contacted for comment.

One source said the requirement for confidentiality, stated in the letter, was a “standard clause”.

Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson said the overwhelming majority of the union’s 48,000 members did their part to end this pandemic and were vaccinated.

“However, with such a high membership, we understand there will be unique cases that require individual attention. These matters will be approached with compassion and common sense. The QTU will support members to reach the best possible outcomes with their employer,” Ms Richardson said.

Originally published as MP Nick Dametto says penalising unvaccinated teachers nasty and bad form