Wyndham councillor asked to ‘take leave’ after revealing vax status

An unvaccinated Wyndham councillor says he will continue to work remotely despite being asked to “take a leave of absence”.

An unvaccinated Wyndham councillor has been asked to “take a leave of absence” after revealing he has not been jabbed despite being elected to govern one of Melbourne’s worst Covid-hit areas.

City of Wyndham councillors met for a special meeting on Tuesday night to debate a controversial motion requiring councillors provide their vaccine status to city officials.

The last minute meeting, called by councillors Josh Gilligan, Heather Marcus and Mia Shaw, argued unvaxxed councillors posed a “serious risk” to the health and safety of council and staff.

The motion, which the Municipal Association of Victoria understands to be the first in Victoria, was passed 6-5.

All council employees, and any members of the public attending council facilities, are required to be fully vaccinated — however this mandate does not extend to councillors.

After the meeting, councillor Marcel Mahfoud publicly revealed he was unvaccinated, saying he had chosen to wait for the US-made Novavax vaccine.

“Whilst I am currently unvaccinated, I am pro choice and do intend to be vaccinated,” he said.

Chaffey Ward Councillor Marcel Mahfoud. Credit: Wyndham City

“I am awaiting the release of the Novavax vaccine in Australia as this is a more traditional vaccine … after much deliberation and consultation, I felt that this vaccine was best for me.”

He said he would continue in his role at Wyndham Council, conducting all business virtually until he has been vaccinated.

The motion called on council’s CEO to confirm the vaccination status of its 11 councillors and mayor Peter Maynard will write to any councillors that fail to provide proof, encouraging them to take a “leave of absence”.

CEO Stephen Wall will also write to the Local Government Minister and chief health officer asking why vaccination requirements have not been extended to Victorian councils.

The motion initially asked the minister to “stand down” any unvaccinated councillors and publish names of councillors that have been fully vaccinated, however this was scrapped in a final amendment.

Cr Adele Hegedich said it was “absurd” that elected officials in local governments had been ignored by the Victorian Government.

“While there are rules for our staff and rules for members of parliament, there are no rules for councillors,” she said.

“We need to seek clarity from the chief health officer and Local Government Minister.”

Cr Shaw said it would be hypocritical for councillors to not take a stand against an unnamed and unvaccinated councillor who was prepared to “put at risk the health and safety of council and staff”.

“Hospitality, business, state governments and other industries have had to adjust to the mandatory vaccine requirement,” she said.

“Councillors believe the same suspension powers should be extended to local government.

“Other councils will be following our lead when it comes to this motion tonight.”

Wyndham Council will write to the Local Government Minister asking why vaccination requirements have not been extended to Victorian councils. Picture: Wyndham City

Councillors Mia Shaw, Heather Marcus, Susan McIntyre, Adele Hegedich, Josh Gilligan and Jennie Barrera voted in support of the motion while mayor Peter Maynard, deputy mayor Jasmine Hill and councillors Sahana Ramesh, Marcel Mahfoud, and Robert Szatkowski voted against it.

Cr Josh Gilligan said the “silence” from those opposing the motion was a sad indictment on those councillors.

“People died because of this virus,” he said.

“Last year we had to hear the personal stories of people impacted by this virus … it’s absolutely critical that this council stands up and sends a message to our community.”

In October, Victoria became the first state to bar unvaccinated MPs from parliament, after a new law was passed on October 14 requiring MPs and their staff show proof of their vaccination status or be excluded from the building.

Four MPs were suspended after refusing to reveal their Covid vaccination details, including Liberal Democrat Tim Quilty who will not return to parliament until 2022.

It is believed to be the first time a council has attempted to force unvaccinated councillors in Victoria to take a leave of absence with councils across the state now considering whether they will follow Wyndham’s approach.

In regional Victoria, Bass Coast CEO Ali Wastie said all council staff were double vaccinated — but did not comment on the status of councillors.

“I’m pleased with the response from our people, the overwhelming majority of who were already fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or intending to get vaccinated before this policy was introduced,” she said.

“We are in a very fortunate position that all of our people are fully compliant with the policy; therefore there is no need to stand people down from their roles.”