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‘Double standards’: Craig Kelly slammed for bringing unvaccinated protesters to Parliament House

Craig Kelly has been asked to justify why he brought unvaccinated protesters into Parliament House on Tuesday.

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United Australia Party leader Craig Kelly has been accused of double standards amid calls for him to justify why he brought unvaccinated protesters into Parliament House despite Covid rules.

Mr Kelly signed in the group of demonstrators, all of whom confirmed they’d not had any Covid vaccines, on Tuesday despite the building being closed to the public while parliament sits for the next two weeks.

He rejected suggestions his ­actions were irresponsible and said they were planning to deliver letters to the Prime Minister, ­Opposition Leader and Speaker of the House demanding an end to mandates. “These people … simply want the mandates to end so they can go back to work,” he said while sitting with the group.

A copy of the letter had eight demands, including ending mandates, keeping borders open and “rejecting any moves for a society based on digital identity”.

Parliament is closed to the public because of Covid-19 restrictions but senators and MPs can sign visitors in for “essential” meetings at their discretion. It is a condition of entry that people have no symptoms when they enter.

Mr Kelly’s actions came after independent MP Zali Steggall had to intervene to allow Brittany Higgins to attend parliament to witness the statement of acknow­ledg­ment for bullying and harassment experienced by staff following a report that exposed a toxic culture.

Former staffers Rachelle Miller, Chelsey Potter and Josie Coles also attended to hear Scott Morrison apologise for what they had gone through.

Ms Steggall said she thought it was a “double standard” that the protesters were allowed in. “The instructions we had from presiding officers from members of parliament is that Parliament House is closed to visitors and we’re only to bring in essential staff for essential meetings,” she said.

“I consider the participants of the Jenkins review attending to hear a historic apology fairly ­essential. My question in relation to these protesters is what was so essential about their work?

“If (they) had been climate change protesters, would they have been given access to hand a letter to the Prime Minister in relation to global warming?”

NCA NEWSWIRE

Read related topics:Coronavirus
Ashleigh GleesonChief of Staff

Ashleigh Gleeson is chief of staff at the Herald Sun.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/double-standards-craig-kelly-slammed-for-bringing-unvaccinated-protesters-to-parliament-house/news-story/8923ab21b6f1d65da2ad98f92c88a65c