Toowoomba Councillor Nancy Sommerfield to introduce anti-vaccine mandate motion in council, amid City Hall protest

Protesters are set to descend on City Hall on Tuesday morning over the State Government’s vaccine mandate. It will comes as one councillor introduces a motion to denounce it.

Nancy Sommerfield will introduce an anti-vaccine mandate motion in council. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A Toowoomba councillor will urge her colleagues to denounce the State Government’s new vaccine mandate as “heavy-handed” and “coercive” in a motion that is set to lead to a fiery debate.

Councillor Nancy Sommerfield’s proposed motion, which has been listed on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, encapsulates much of the sentiment expressed by several community leaders ahead of the December 17 deadline.

It comes as anti-vaccine mandate activists also plan to demonstrate outside City Hall on Tuesday to urge the council push against the State Government’s new restrictions.

Hundreds are expected to fill the viewing gallery and gather outside the chambers while the council debates the anti-mandate motion.

It is understood One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts will make an appearance at the protest, in what organisers say is supposed to be a “show of force in numbers”.

Ms Sommerfield, who has been a speaker at recent anti-mandate rallies in Toowoomba alongside colleague Bill Cahill, said in the motion she had been “disturbed” by the proposed rules.

“As a representative of our local community, I am disturbed by the government intrusion into the lives of our citizens,” she wrote.

“It deeply concerns me that the health directions mean that certain members of our community will not be permitted to enter a cafe to have a coffee or share a meal with family or friends.

“This is not the Australian way and I believe our forefathers who fought in numerous conflicts to preserve our freedoms would be shocked.

“While the government has provided additional information about management of people entering certain facilities there are still concerns about whether increased staffing would be required and the safety of staff when people become frustrated if they are refused entry.”

The motion, if successful, would ensure the council didn’t apply the policy at its own facilities unless required by law.

“It is up to councils to decide individually about their own facilities,” the statement said.

“This motion provides the opportunity for councillors to decide to continue to be the inclusive region we espouse to be, setting the example of our rich traditions and bold ambitions.”

It would also get the council to call on the State Government to reconsider the policy.

Ms Sommerfield was contacted for comment.