Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey on Covid-19 vaccine following anti-lockdown protest
Mayor reveals fears that “Australian society is fracturing” following anti-lockdown demonstration.
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Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey has responded following an anti-lockdown demonstration outside the council chambers on Tuesday.
The protest was one of a number across the state, with thousands of participants.
Protesters included former Bundaberg councillor Helen Blackburn, who said the pandemic didn’t mean people should stop their lives.
The Mayor took to blogging to share his perspective on the current situation.
“I’m concerned that Australian society is fracturing as Covid fatigue deepens and people become more frustrated,” he revealed.
Cr Dempsey said he believed the state and federal governments had added to the situation.
“The Federal Government’s bungling of the vaccine roll-out is a major cause of frustration,” he said.
“Likewise, it’s inequitable the State Government allows sportspeople, their partners and celebrities into Queensland, but not Queenslanders who were stranded on the wrong side of the border.
“It was unsurprising that an anti-lockdown protest was held in Bundaberg on Tuesday as part of a nationwide movement.”
Cr Dempsey said he saw why some were sceptical and upset and that he supported the right to lawful protest, but had some reservations around recent events.
“...I’m concerned that while Bundaberg is currently safe, street rallies aren’t the answer and could undermine community confidence in public health messages,” he said.
“I’m not sure there were many epidemiologists in the crowd.”
Cr Dempsey said people needed to listen to experts and get vaccinated, given the dangers of the Delta variant.
“In Victoria, New South Wales and overseas, children are being infected and spreading the virus among their families and communities,” he said.
“Vaccination is the path to freedom. It’s unlikely we’ll be able to travel and mingle freely until 70-80 per cent of the adult population is protected. We’re not far away from achieving that goal.”
Cr Dempsey thanked everyone who was doing the right thing and said he was proud of how the majority of locals had handled the pandemic.
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Originally published as Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey on Covid-19 vaccine following anti-lockdown protest
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