Mark Butler backs calls for mandatory Covid-19 jabs on MPs

Mark Butler has backed former Labor leader Bill Shorten’s call for the government to enforce mandatory Covid-19 ­vaccin­ations of federal MPs.

Opposition health spokesman Mark Butler. Picture: Emma Brasier

Opposition health spokesman Mark Butler has backed former Labor leader Bill Shorten’s call for the government to enforce mandatory Covid-19 ­vaccin­ations of federal MPs.

Mr Butler said on Monday MPs were in “constant contact with the community” and should be forced to get the jab. “How can we not accept the same standard that’s expected of healthcare and aged-care workers, teachers and so many ­others?” he said.

When asked if this meant he favoured mandatory vaccin­ations for federal MPs, Mr Butler’s spokeswoman said: “Yes.”

The position from Labor goes further than the advice issued to MPs from ACT Health.

Earlier on Monday, Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon – Mr Butler’s rival in Labor’s energy wars in the aftermath of the 2019 election – endorsed Mr Shorten’s push for mandatory vaccinations of MPs.

“I think that vaccinations should be mandatory for politicians, unless they have an underlying health issue as a reason not to,” Mr Fitzgibbon told Seven Network.

“Because I think we should be setting the standard for the broader Australian community and encouraging people to get vaccinated and to get those booster shots at the first opportunity.”

Coalition MPs including Russell Broadbent and George Christensen are refusing to get a Covid-19 jab.

In an interview with the Nine newspapers at the weekend, Mr Shorten freelanced the policy position of mandatory vaccin­ation for MPs after Victoria ­enforced the jabs for essential workers.

ACT Health is allowing unvaccinated MPs and staffers into parliament for the October sitting weeks, as long as they quarantine for 14 days.

“For unvaccinated persons travelling from a Covid-19 affected area, a mandatory 14-day quarantine period will need to be completed prior to entering the workplace,” advice sent to MPs says.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the federal government’s position was for “voluntary ­participation” rather than mandatory vaccinations.

“But we have always said that it’s a matter for states and terri­tories,” he said.

“It is important that people have sufficient time and access to be able to make sure they’re ­vaccinated. So we want to make sure that there are no critical workforce shortages, wherever that’s done.”