Hanson’s furious five: Senators vow legislation chaos over vax mandate

The Morrison Government’s agenda has been derailed by chaos as Queensland senators joined others to pledge to block legislation unless vaccine mandates were banned.

The Morrison Government’s agenda in the final sitting fortnight has been derailed by chaos as Queensland senators pledge to make good on promises to block legislation unless vaccine mandates were banned.

Five Coalition Senators have already crossed the floor amid fiery debate, in which Prime Minister Scott Morrison was branded “weak”, while Senator Jacqui Lambie described accepting the consequences for choosing not to be vaccinated “being a goddamn, bloody adult”.

Two Coalition Senators, Queensland’s Gerard Rennick and SA’s Alex Antic, will go further and abstain from voting for government bills, while One Nation reaffirmed its plans to vote against them, unless the Federal Government intervenes in state government restrictions on unvaccinated people.

It will effectively block any contested government bills getting through by abstaining from votes.

Senators Matt Canavan, Sam McMahon and Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, who supported the One Nation bill, are not withholding their votes on other matters.

Two Queensland Senators, Matt Canavan and Gerard Rennick, who supported One Nation’s vaccine bill. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The already controversial Religious Discrimination Bill, requirements for voters to bring ID to elections and a crackdown on registered charities engaging in unlawful acts of trespass, vandalism or threatening behaviour are all at risk from the vote blockade.

The first test for the rebel Senators was expected to come up on Monday night, when a national security bill goes up for debate, though it is set to pass with Labor’s support.

Senator Rennick confirmed last night he would be abstaining from government legislation, including the religious discrimination laws, saying mandates were like “holding a gun” to people’s heads.

“This is no longer about health, but politicians grabbing power for the sake of power,” he said.

Senator Pauline Hanson via video link and Senator Matt Canavan in the Senate Chamber in Parliament House on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The Opposition will seek to wedge the rebel Coalition Senators this week, with Queensland Senator Murray Watt saying this week would be a test for Senators Hanson and Gerard Rennick about “whether their word means anything”.

“If Pauline Hanson and Gerard Rennick back down and decide to vote with the government on legislation over the next fortnight, then it just shows that their word means nothing at all,” he said.

Senator Alex Antic.

Appearing via video link on Monday, Senator Hanson moved a private members bill seeking to ban vaccine mandates enforced by state governments, including Queensland.

“This is what the Labor Governments are doing to undermine the Morrison Government so the PM is seen as weak,” Senator Hanson said.

“And I’ll say it, the Prime Minister is weak.”

Senator Sam McMahon. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

Tasmania Senator Jacqui Lambie said the vaccine mandates were about protecting the community and pushed back against One Nation’s proposed bill.

“Being held accountable for your own actions is not discrimination, it’s called being, would you believe it, a goddamn, bloody adult,” she said.

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. Picture: Kym Smith

Originally published as Hanson’s furious five: Senators vow legislation chaos over vax mandate