NSW policewoman challenges mandatory vaccine order

A police officer is waging a Supreme Court challenge to orders that all authorised workers from Covid-19 hot spots must get vaccinated.

Exclusive: A NSW Police officer is waging a Supreme Court challenge to orders that all “authorised” workers from Covid hot spots must get a jab to be allowed to go to work.

Senior Constable Belinda Hocroft, who is attached the Dog and Mounted Police unit, has filed a legal action against NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard arguing she is not an anti-vaxxer but she is concerned about the long term effects of the vaccine and does not want to receive it.

NSW policewoman Senior Constable Belinda Hocroft, on right. Picture: Supplied

Ms Hocroft’s lawyer Charly Tannous from Sage Solicitors said the action challenges the Minister’s right to require people in the affected LGAs to be vaccinated before they can leave the area and the test case is likely to affect thousands of workers.

“This case will consider the extent to which the Government may coerce its citizens to have themselves injected with a drug they object to taking, especially when there is a less intrusive alternative of having the unvaccinated citizens tested to ensure that they are not carrying the virus.”

Solicitor Charly Tannous said the case could affect thousands of workers. Picture: supplied

Ms Hocroft, who has been a police officer for 14 years said she has been told she cannot return to work unless she has the first jab because she is from a hot spot zone.

“I am not against vaccines as such. However I am concerned about the long term effects of Covid-19 given they are relatively new vaccines,” Ms Hocroft said in an affidavit to support her legal action.

“I am the mother of four young children between the ages of three years old and seven years old and I am concerned about the potential negative/long term effects that any new vaccine may have on my health and by extension the health and welfare of my family.”

“I am concerned the NSW Government is giving me an ultimatum by forcing me to take the vaccine otherwise (I) will become unemployed,” she said.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard is the subject of legal action over public health orders requiring authorised workers from hot spots to have a vaccination by September 19, before they can work. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Authorised workers from local government areas of concern were told they had to have the jab before today.

But the NSW Government has extended the deadline until Sunday, September 19 to get vaccinated with at least one dose after many workers had not been able to get the vaccination in time.

The vaccine requirement applies to the areas of Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta and Strathfield.

Ms Hocroft said she is willing to undertake the rapid antigen testing before attending work.

But she said she has been told by NSW Police that under the new Public Health Orders she cannot turn up for work unless she has the vaccination.

Geoffrey Kennett SC will appear for Ms Hocroft on Tuesday morning in her legal fight against health orders requiring she be vaccinated. Picture Supplied.

Her legal action is supported by an affidavit from pharmacist Chadi Diba who said he has the equipment and training to be able to undertake the rapid testing.

NSW Police has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as NSW policewoman challenges mandatory vaccine order