Rita Panahi: Australia is so far from reaching normality, we still haven’t considered vaccine passports

Australia’s bungled pandemic roadmap means we still haven’t broached an issue the UK and US have spent months debating.

Australia is so far behind the rest of the advanced world in returning to normality that we haven’t even seriously broached the issue of vaccine passports.

After months of debate across Europe, North America and Asia decisions are being made about the merits of Covid-19 passports that entitle the vaccinated to rights and privileges denied to the unvaccinated.

It’s one thing to require those working in aged care to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, after all, flu vaccines are also mandatory for that sector given the risk profile of their clients, but should a plumber, butcher or barista lose their job if they are not vaccinated?

Should adults who have not been jabbed be prevented from entering sporting grounds, concert halls or cafes? Do we risk creating a two-tier “Animal Farm” system where some citizens are considered more equal than others?

Protesters in London march against restrictions, including the Covid passport. (Photo by Martin Pope/Getty Images)

And, once we open that door, why stop at Covid vaccines? Should the state provide preferential medical care based on the behaviour of the patient; should those in a healthy weight range who are nonsmokers receive a different standard of care than those with “self-inflicted” medical issues?

Vaccine passports will undoubtedly incentivise the apathetic to get jabbed but do they cross the line into coercion and breach the human rights of the individual? Such ethical conundrums are no longer just the subject of philosophical dinner party discussions but a reality in the post-Covid world.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under fire after backing vaccine passports that prevent unvaccinated adults from entering nightclubs and other crowded venues.

“We do reserve the right to mandate certification at any point if it’s necessary to reduce transmission,” Johnson said as the country celebrated Freedom Day. “And I should serve notice now that by the end of September, when all over-18s have had their chance to be double jabbed we’re planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather.”

Johnson can expect stiff opposition from the Left and the Right of the political divide though the move may prove popular among the British public who suffered through one of the longest and harshest lockdowns in the world. More than 70 parliamentarians across the political spectrum – including 41 Tories, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat Party leader Ed Davey – signed a statement denouncing the passports in early April. “We oppose the divisive and discriminatory use of Covid status certification to deny individuals access to general services, businesses or jobs,” read the statement.

As much of the world opens up, Melbourne is still in lockdown. Picture : NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Conservatives and libertarians were quick to criticise Johnson for “trampling over people’s civil liberties”. Writer and broadcaster Calvin Robinson was among those condemning the move: “Discriminatory policy, dividing society into “clean” vs “unclean” ... whatever happened to bodily autonomy? Personal responsibility? Freedom of choice?” he wrote.

For the past week there have been mass protests in France sparked by President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that from August a digital Covid certificate would be needed to enter a range of venues including restaurants, cafes and shopping centres.

“You’ve understood – vaccination is not immediately obligatory for everyone, but we’re going to extend the health pass to the maximum, in order to push a maximum of you to go and get vaccinated,” Macron said.

The same vaccine certificate will be mandatory for anyone over the age of 12 entering tourist attractions such as theme parks, cultural centres, museums as well as cinemas and theatres. It’s a little rich for Macron to demand a 100 per cent vaccination rate given he was among European leaders who undermined the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Across Europe an EU vaccine passport is being rolled out across 31 nations including non-EU states Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, to allow holders to travel across multiple countries without needing to be tested or quarantined.

In the US each state determines its own vaccine passport laws with a number of states banning them including Florida and Texas. “In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

There is little doubt that vaccine passports will be popular in Australia, no other country with the exception of New Zealand has been more hysterical in its Covid-19 response, but surely it is better to encourage people to be vaccinated rather than bully them into submission.

After all, Australia’s consent guidelines for vaccines states that for consent to be legally valid it “must be given voluntarily in the absence of undue pressure, coercion or manipulation.” Senior lecturer at the Curtin University of Law, Rocco Loiacono, has called vaccine passports “unethical, discriminatory and emotional blackmail” and points out Australia is a signatory to the Nuremberg Code of 1947, which enshrines the principle of informed consent.

Real leaders use persuasion, not coercion, to boost the vaccination rate. It remains to be seen what Scott Morrison will do.

IN SHORT

So Prince Harry is writing a memoir? Were we not told that he and Meghan had to flee the UK to protect their privacy? Since then we’ve been subjected to multiple tell-all interviews, podcasts and now news of an upcoming book. It seems playing the victim pays well.

Rita Panahi is a Herald Sun columnist

@RitaPanahi