Shadow Health Minister Bill Yan attended anti-vax rally, Gunner says

The CLP has denied its health spokesman Bill Yan attended an anti-vaccination rally on Saturday, with Chief Minister Michael Gunner making the explosive allegations in Question Time.

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has claimed the CLP’s Shadow Health Minister Bill Yan attended an anti-vaccination rally in Darwin on Saturday.

But the accusation has been strongly denied by Mr Yan, who said he merely was “merely standing on the street when it went past”.

Mr Gunner said Mr Yan attended the rally during an answer in Question Time on Tuesday.

He said the attendance was further evidence the CLP opposed the vaccination mandate unveiled by the chief health officer in recent weeks.

Bill Yan MLA MEMBER FOR NAMATJIRA Photograph: Che Chorley

Chief Minister Michael Gunner made the claim during Question Time. Picture: Che Chorley

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro interjected, stating that her party supported the mandatory vaccination order put forward by Dr Hugh Heggie.

Ms Finocchiaro however questioned what the government was doing to assist small businesses navigate Dr Heggie’s directions.

When asked whether he attended the rally, Mr Yan said he had been in the area and had watched the rally pass by on the street.

He said he hoped anti-vaccination protesters would change their mind and get vaccinated against Covid-19.

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