‘I am absolutely pro-vaccine’: Dan Andrews clashes with anti-vaxxer at Midsumma Pride March
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews is still justifying his government’s Covid response three years on, this time in a heated dispute with a heckler.
Daniel Andrews brutally shut down an anti-vax heckler who tried to hijack his press conference over the weekend.
The Victorian Premier was addressing the media on Sunday at Melbourne’s annual Midsumma Pride March in St Kilda when he was interrupted by the man.
The 90-second ordeal focused on Covid vaccine mandates for some essential workers, before the aggravated man labelled Mr Andrews a “fraud”.
The first question posed by the non-accredited journalist was in regards to when the Premier would “drop the vaccine mandates” for police and workers in the health care sector.
Mr Andrews, who appeared to be deliberately avoiding eye contact with the man, responded, saying vaccine mandates remained in place at a national level for some first responders.
The man then shifted his focus on to volunteer organisations such as the State Emergency Service (SES), Country Fire Association (CFA) and Life Saving Victoria where vaccine mandates no longer apply.
“Vaccines are now a feature of employment law, not mandates under the public health and wellbeing act, but there are some nationally consistent approaches for those who work in sensitive settings, for instance aged care workers and hospital workers,” Mr Andrews said.
“I’m neither here to apologise for saving lives, no I won’t, so you’ve got that right, we can agree on that.”
As the awkward scene continued, Mr Andrews appeared adamant in having the last word but the man was persistent in his interrogation by making another comment while the Premier spoke over him.
“Well I’m not sure that you’re an accredited journalist at a press conference, so happy pride to you – all the very best,” Mr Andrews said.
But that wasn’t all from the Premier who heatedly started pointing at the man while still keeping his focus directly at the cameras.
“Let me make one thing very clear to you, vaccines work. I am absolutely, absolutely pro-vaccine,” he said.
"You are frankly wrong!"
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) February 5, 2023
Daniel Andrews has told off a heckler at a press conference today after he questioned the Premier on vaccine mandates.#9Newspic.twitter.com/e9RmVszika
The man went on to label Mr Andrews a “fraud” before stating, “That’s the stupidest thing you said on election night” – a comment in relation to the Premier’s victory speech on the success of Covid vaccines after his third straight election win in November.
Mr Andrews told the heckler others could decide who was being “stupid” in their debate before reiterating the importance of science.
“All the best to you. If you want to abuse me, well, you’ve done a bit of that,” the Premier said.
But as question time for journalists commenced, Mr Andrews made one final address to the man in a bid to finish the feud.
“There was an election held, sir, and I am very pleased to say that we’ve been re-elected,” he said.
“Part of that, of course, is listening to a broad range of views. You’ve had your say and you are frankly wrong.”
While it’s been a year since Victoria exited its final Covid-19 lockdown, vaccination mandates are still in effect, as outlined by the Premier, for workers in public health services, hospitals, day-procedure centres, ambulance services, some patient transport services, residential aged care and Forensicare.
Police officers must also be vaccinated under the mandate, with it being an entry requirement for those applying for a role in the police force.
Under the mandate, the majority of these workers are required to be “fully vaccinated (boosted)” or triple-vaxxed if aged 18 and over.
Additionally, workers in some of these settings are also required to receive the seasonal influenza jab.
Meanwhile, workers outside of the mandates must comply with their employer’s vaccination policy, with advice on this available on the Victorian Government website.
Exemptions continue to remain for those in certain situations or circumstances.