George Christensen leads anti-vaccine mandate sentiment at Cannonvale forum

Outgoing Dawson MP George Christensen has put his potential replacements on the spot, asking if they would be willing to break party lines if it meant ostracism or party expulsion.

George Christensen has publicly challenged Dawson’s candidates, asking them whether they would be willing to cross the floor on principle in the interests of the electorate’s voters, even if it meant ostracism or expulsion from their respective parties.

“How far are you prepared to go for your people?” he asked.

Mr Christensen, who resigned from the LNP last week, made the remarks in an open-air forum at the Whitsunday Christian College, largely attended by what appeared to be a gaggle of anti-vaccine mandate voters, who loudly applauded each anti-mandate statement expressed on the night and jeered at those who offered a different view.

Mr Christensen — who appeared on a recorded video message — said federal and state governments had blown up freedom, rights and jobs through their approach to Covid and he encouraged those present to choose a member who would fight for “freedom and democracy itself”.

Mr Christensen railed against the World Economic Forum and warned about proposals for a digital ID database.

Mr Christensen’s statements were met with loud approval.

Labor’s Shane Hamilton, the LNP’s Andrew Willcox, the United Australia Party’s Christian Young, Ciaron Paterson from Katter’s Australian Party, Greens contender Paula Creen, independent Phil Batty and One Nation’s Julie Hall fronted up to the crowd.

During a question-and-answer session towards the end of the night, all were pressed on their position on mandates.

Mr Willcox said he did not support mandates.

“I think they’re un-Australian,” he said.

Through groaning, tittering and scoffing, the crowd expressed scepticism towards Mr Willcox’s remarks.

Mr Hamilton’s response to the issue was met with jeers and the crowd partly drowned out his comments.

Former LNP politician George Christensen at the Freedom rally in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Mr Young said flatly the UAP did not support any mandates and this statement was met with wild applause.

Mrs Creen said the Greens did not support the mandatory vaccination of children but the public should follow the advice of those who “study this stuff”.

Parts of the crowd reacted with contempt to this statement.

The MC on the night then asked the candidates to raise their hands if they would vote against the mandatory vaccination of children.

All candidates raised their hands, though Mr Hamilton seemed unsure.

It was not clear if Mrs Creen raised her hand.

The MC then asked whether the candidates supported a royal commission into the handling of the Covid pandemic and all raised their hands except for Mr Hamilton and Mrs Creen.

Before the question and answer grilling, each candidate introduced themselves to the crowd and made their pitch for votes.

Mr Hamilton touted Labor’s commitment to ship training schools, mountain bike trails, reef protection, aged care, cheaper childcare and a disaster readiness fund.

Greens candidate Paula Creen followed and attacked billionaires and large corporations as parasitic agents in the world.

“They will pluck every feather out until you are bleeding,” she said.

Mr Willcox said Australia’s position in the world was increasingly uncertain and voters should back the LNP’s “experienced leadership team”.

Mr Batty criticised high-rise developments on the Airlie Foreshore.

Mr Young said Australia was “one minute to midnight” and railed against what he called “medical segregation”.

The crowd applauded him when he said the UAP stood against digital identity, net zero and a cashless society.

Mr Paterson said he wanted to rebuild Australian industry, stop offshoring and put crime issues back on the agenda.

One Nation candidate Julie Hall said international forums and institutions were undermining Australia’s sovereignty on a range of fronts.

“One Nation does not support the World Economic Forum’s Great Re-Set,” she said, to loud applause.

“You can trust me to be your voice in parliament.”

Mrs Hall said One Nation allowed its members conscience votes and so she would not have to “toe the party line”.

“I’m standing up for you, let’s stand together,” she said.

She touted One Nation’s proposal to pay off the HECS loans of medical professionals if they committed to three years in the regions.

Originally published as George Christensen leads anti-vaccine mandate sentiment at Cannonvale forum