‘Dangerous menace’: Pressure builds on Scott Morrison over Craig Kelly’s vaccine views

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has carpeted Liberal MP Craig Kelly for peddling quack cures for COVID-19 on his Facebook page.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has carpeted Liberal MP Craig Kelly for peddling quack cures for COVID-19 on his Facebook page.

News.com.au has confirmed the PM called Mr Kelly shortly before question time and told him he was “not happy” that the issue had become a huge distraction.

The PM opened the discussion by telling Mr Kelly he would be asked questions about the issue in Parliament.

He told the MP that critics were saying he was an anti-vaxxer.

But Mr Kelly told the PM he had nothing to worry about.

“I reassured the PM that anyone saying that I’m anti-vaccine is grossly misrepresenting my comments,” Mr Kelly told news.com.au

Government sources also confirmed the PM has told the NSW MP in no uncertain terms that his activities were not helpful.

It follows months of criticism that the PM needed to take a stronger line with the MP for questioning public health measures.

Mr Kelly announced this week he is preparing to appear on a podcast with former TV chef and anti-vaxxer Pete Evans, who releases a daily stream of material questioning the vaccination strategy and masks on his social media channels.

But Mr Kelly strenuously denies he is an anti-vaxxer, despite peddling a range of alternative treatments on his popular Facebook page, including using a treatment for hair lice in children for COVID-19. He has also compared mask wearing in children with child abuse.

“Any suggestion that I am some sort of anti-vaxxer is nothing but slander, smear and slime,’’ Mr Kelly told news.com.au.

“If you can’t debate, if people are getting black-banned and cancelled that is a very sad day for democracy.

“It’s the opposition that are banging on about this. They are misrepresenting my position.”

Mr Kelly said no one from the Morrison Government or the Prime Minister’s office had asked him to cease and desist.

“Of course I am not a doctor. I am just saying here is some of the latest peer reviewed science. I am standing up for a core Liberal Party belief which is freedom of choice and small government.”

RELATED: Pete Evans’ 90-minute chat with rogue MP

Craig Kelly insists he’s not an anti-vaxxer. Picture: NCA NewsWire

In Parliament, Labor moved to debate the issue on Tuesday before being shut down by government MPs.

Labor’s health spokesman Mark Butler stepped up the attacks today as the Liberal shutdown debate in Parliament over the issue.

“Craig Kelly is a dangerous menace and a threat to the nation’s COVID response and it’s about time the Prime Minister developed a backbone to call him into line,” Mr Butler said.

On Monday, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison sidestepped criticising Mr Kelly by observing “he’s not my doctor and he’s not yours”. He added that the MP was doing a “great job” in his electorate of Hughes in Sydney.

“He actually gave him a pat on the back and said Craig Kelly was doing a good job,” Mr Butler said.

Celebrity chef turned-COVID-19-denier Pete Evans has labelled Craig Kelly “a beautiful and beyond courageous man” overnight as he prepares to spend “90 minutes” chatting to him about alternative COVID cures.

“Just spent a great 90 minutes talking with this beautiful and courageous man,” Mr Evans wrote on Instagram.

“Craig Kelly MP is sharing the truth over and over again and keeps moving forward without fear.

“You my friend are a hero to many Australians.”

RELATED: ScoMo told to act on rogue MP

Pete Evans took to social media to praise Mr Kelly this week. Picture: Supplied via NCA NewsWire

Doctors and health experts slammed the podcast warning that public confidence in the vaccination strategy is being undermined by anti-vaxxers and “nutters”.

“It is unacceptable that Craig Kelly is persisting in disseminating misinformation concerning #COVID-19 and to appear on this podcast with Pete Evans is very unhelpful,’’ Royal Australian College of General Practitioners President Dr Karen Price said.

“As President I urge all public figures to act responsibly.”

Labor MPs have also claimed they are being “gagged” in Parliament for speaking out on the issue.

“Being gagged right now in the house for calling Craig Kelly a dangerous fool and calling Morrison weak for not dealing with him properly!,’’ Victorian Labor MP Ged Kerney tweeted this morning.