Michael Gunner says some remote NT communities still recording low vax rates

The CLP has seemingly backtracked on an earlier commitment to support the chief health officer’s directives, saying Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s broad mandate is ‘draconian’.

UPDATE: THE CLP have seemingly backtracked on its earlier commitment to back mandatory vaccination.

The party had in recent weeks said it was supportive of chief health officer directors which mandated the vaccines for frontline workers.

On Wednesday Chief Minister Michael Gunner revealed workers in certain fields would need to be vaccinated by November 13.

Reacting to the announcement, the CLP’s Shadow Health spokesman Bill Yan said the measures were “alarming” and “draconian”, despite his party having previously backed mandatory vaccination for certain occupations.

CLP health spokesman Bill Yan. Photograph: Che Chorley

When asked twice whether he supported mandatory vaccination, Mr Yan said the CLP was only “pro-vaccination”.

Mr Yan said such extreme measures were only necessary because the government had failed to effectively roll out the vaccine to remote communities.

“No one else in the world has gone down the mandatory vaccination route, but we’ve had to do that here in the Territory, because the Gunner government has failed.

“Now we’ve got such severe measures to be able to try and protect the most vulnerable people in our communities,” he said.

Mr Yan said making businesses keep a register of vaccination status was also an additional burden to business.

He also said he wanted Mr Gunner to provide more detail and certainty around travel and quarantine arrangements.

“People who would like to travel … want that certainty,” Mr Yan said.

EARLIER UPDATE: CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says significant work is still required to vaccinate residents in remote NT communities, with some areas recording first dose stats as low as 17 per cent despite multiple health visits.

Mr Gunner said overall, more than 61 per cent of remote Territorians has received their first Covid-19 jab dose, with standouts such as 92 per cent first dose in Umbakuma and 85 per cent in Alyangula.

However, Mr Gunner said despite extensive efforts in areas such as Ali Curung had a first dose vaccination rate of about 17 per cent after five visits from health staff. Yuendumu has a rate of about 20 per cent and Papunya 29 per cent first dose despite six visits.

“This is not stigmatising or demonising those communities,” Mr Gunner said.

“It’s about highlighting there’s still a lot of work to do … Despite the high overall vaccination rate, we are not where we want to be in all parts of the Territory.

“I want to remind everyone, the vast majority of remote Territorians and the vast majority of Aboriginal Territorians are getting vaccinated.

“We’ve got videos in language, we’ve got posters and flyers, we’re working with local councils and elders to get the right information to people.

“We know it is possible to turn hesitancy and opposition around.”

In response to the Northern Land Council’s concerns about the NT’s reopening plan, Mr Gunner said it was “naive” that the Territory’s borders would continue to remain strong and protect Territorians.

“The idea that the borders would remain strong forever and somehow we can wish Covid away is dangerous, and the unintended consequence of that is apathy around the vaccine in remote communities,’ he said.

“We’re all worried but we need to make sure we send a strong, unified message to every Territorian that … the best thing you can do is get vaccinated.”

EARLIER: THE Northern Land Council has expressed “grave concerns” about the Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s reopening plan.

Mr Gunner is expected to outline the dates and times that workers must be vaccinated by on Wednesday morning.

Ahead of Mr Gunner’s announcement, NLC chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi sounded the alarm over recent comments from government ministers that Aboriginal communities with low vaccine take up could be left to their own defences.

In the statement, Mr Bush-Blanasi said Health Minister Natasha Fyles’ comments on Monday that the NT government may not be able to protect Aboriginal people unless they are vaccinated was gravely concerning.

Northern Land Council chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi and Chief Minister Michael Gunner at a bridge overlooking the Victoria River in Timber Creek.

The NLC also expressed concern about a lack of consultation by the NT government with Indigenous health groups and organisations.

The NT News reported on Sunday that despite six or more visits from NT Health, some remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia only had a first-dose vaccination rate as low as nine per cent.

“I urge Chief Minister Gunner not to throw Aboriginal Territorians under the National Plan bus,” Mr Bush-Blanasi said.

“Do not abandon us or expose our communities to a very real threat that we know will – literally – tear our communities apart.

Kakadu traditional owners call for review of parks management, speaking to media chairman of the NLC Samuel Bush-Blanasi Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

“The NLC recommends the NT government adopt the very cautious and sensible approach

taken by some state governments to restrict travel to those with at least one vaccination dose

and preferably two.

“Only people with double doses of COVID-19 vaccine should be allowed to

enter the NT.”

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Originally published as Michael Gunner says some remote NT communities still recording low vax rates