‘Consistent approach’ is needed on Covid-19 vaccine mandate, says Daniel Andrews

Daniel Andrews has appeared to soften his stance on whether a three dose vaccine mandate will apply to international tourists visiting Victoria.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Daniel Andrews has refused to rule out mandating a third Covid vaccine dose for access to hospitality and tourism venues in his state, but pledged to aim for a “consistent approach” between Victoria and NSW on the issue.

The apparent softening of the Victorian Premier’s stance comes after business leaders and the federal government expressed concern any third dose requirement for international visitors would act as a deterrent to travel.

Mr Andrews said he would wait for advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation before deciding whether to make the third dose a requirement for access to Victoria’s “vaccinated economy”.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in recent months trying to have the most consistent approach we possibly can in the two biggest states in our nation.

“That might mean we don’t have a perfect approach,” he said, hinting a third dose mandate might apply to Victorians but not international visitors.

“I want everyone to get three doses and I’ll do nothing that would make it less likely that people who live here get three doses, so you’re not going to be getting me sending messages that ‘Oh, two is enough’, because I think what’s going to happen quite soon is ATAGI’s going to say, ‘Well, two isn’t enough’.

“Let’s try and have a consistent approach … we’re not going to see Victorian disadvantaged.

“In fact, we’ve worked very, very hard to have the most consistent arrangement certainly between the two biggest states, because I think that’s in the interests of Victorians (and) the people in NSW.”