Victoria risks missing out on international tourists because of third-jab mandate

Business leaders fear travellers will avoid Victoria if Daniel Andrews’ third-dose mandate is enforced and new stats reveal how badly the tourism sector would suffer.

Booster rates are as low as 1 per cent in Victoria’s biggest international tourism markets, meaning the state risks losing hundreds of thousands of visitors if a third-dose mandate is enforced.

The national cabinet is on Thursday expected to consider long-awaited advice from Australia’s expert immunisation panel about the necessity of booster jabs, which Daniel Andrews has suggested will be used to make the third shot a condition of entry to pubs, restaurants and major events.

The Premier on Tuesday indicated that three-dose rule would also apply to overseas visitors when the border is thrown open on February 21, even though travellers will only need two jabs to enter the country.

A Herald Sun analysis shows less than a third of eligible people in China and New Zealand — Victoria’s top two tourism markets — have received a booster, while the third-dose rate is just 1 per cent in India.

Jimmy O'Neills owner James Gallagher says a third jab mandate will affect his business. Picture: Alex Coppel

With New South Wales already having abandoned its vaccinated economy rules, business leaders fear travellers will avoid Victoria if they face tougher vaccination requirements.

They are now demanding clarity about vaccination rules for Victorians, as well, after Mr Andrews declared last month there was a “very strong argument” booster shots would be required to attend public venues “as a continuation of the current settings”.

The Herald Sun can also reveal NSW has already emerged as a more popular destination than Victoria for overseas students and backpackers since the border opened to those visa holders late last year.

Of the 56,000 students to arrive by January 30, 53.7 per cent went to NSW and 40.5 per cent landed in Victoria. NSW welcomed 64.7 per cent of 3500 migrant workers, with just 29 per cent coming to Victoria.

Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said Victoria was “crying out for the return of international tourists”.

“We should be doing everything we can to attract visitors to Victoria,” he said.

On Tuesday, asked if a three-dose vaccinated economy would apply to international travellers, Mr Andrews said: “It will apply here in the state of Victoria”.

Victoria is ‘crying out for the return of international tourists’, Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan says. Picture: Getty Images

He appeared to soften his view on Wednesday, saying he would “not be doing anything that disadvantages the Victorian economy” and that he wanted “a consistent approach”.

“I want everyone to get three doses and I’ll do nothing that would make it less likely that people who live here get three doses,” Mr Andrews said.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham declared the mooted third-dose mandate for tourists would be a “crippling blow” to Victorian businesses, suggesting it would also put the state’s major events at risk.

The Herald Sun understands the immunisation panel’s advice will be specifically for domestic use, and that the federal government is not expecting it will alter chief medical officer Professor Paul Kelly’s advice requiring two doses for overseas arrivals.

As of Wednesday, 46 per cent of Victorians over 18 had received three immunisations.

Australian Hotels Association state president David Canny warned the industry could not cope with “any more barriers that are going to hold hospitality back”.

“We just can’t afford any more kicks … We want to encourage people to get out and about,” he said. “We have to look at removing barriers.”

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra said Victorian businesses needed consistency to prevent tourists and skilled workers steering clear of the state.

“Whether it’s two doses or three, it must be a standard and agreed national requirement,” he said.

James Gallagher, owner of Jimmy O’Neill’s Whiskey & Alehouse in St Kilda and Prahran’s Naughty Nancy’s bar, said he was “all for the third dose” but mandating it would see businesses “severely struggle”.

He said he needed 40 workers for a festival next month but only had five staff currently.