South Burnett Regional Council will have “no active role” in enforcing mandates

South Burnett Regional Council has highlighted confusion and misinformation as it revealed its stance on the incoming vaccine mandates. Find out what the council had to say:

South Burnett Regional Council has clarified its position on the vaccination mandate, amid a flurry of misinformation it fears could jeopardise local business and create unnecessary divides.

The council released an official statement in response to the looming mandate, acknowledging an influx of opposition surrounding the strict rules and confirming it will have no active role in the enforcement.

The State Government’s new restrictions will see unvaccinated Queenslanders banned from restaurants, pubs and cafes, and a suite of other public venues from Friday.

“Due to conflicting information, we are aware that members of the community have become confused by misinformed rhetoric,” Mayor Brett Otto said.

“Some residents now hold the view that if our council followed some other councils, then all South Burnett businesses may well be exempted from the mandates, which is patently incorrect,” he said.

That council issue a public statement that outlines:

1. The council will continue to support the Covid vaccination rollout throughout the region;

2. They acknowledge the rights of residents to freedom of choice as to Covid vaccination;

3. That mandated restrictions are a matter for Queensland Health and the State Government;

4. That they’ll provide support to Queensland Health where they can to ensure local hospitals and health services are prepared when the borders open;

5. The council will continue to support local small businesses address the impacts of the ongoing pandemic, including the impacts from the restrictions mandated by the Queensland Government.

6. Following consultation with affected local small businesses, councillors will write to the Premier seeking financial assistance for affected businesses and community groups, and clarity around why some businesses have had restrictions applied and not others.

Councillor Danita Potter moved a motion that formalised the SBRC response and endorsed the framework of a plan to address the implementation of the Covid-19 vaccination mandate.

The motion was carried six to one, with Cr Scott Henschen stating his strong opposition to the mandate.

With the Queensland borders now open and the virus predicted to spread like wildfire, Cr Otto said a level of personal responsibility must be adopted by residents to help ensure medical professionals are not overwhelmed.

“There’s a lot of talk about people who are affected because they can’t go for coffee, but where is your personal responsibility to conduct yourself appropriately?” he said.

“We shouldn’t be relying on business owners and police to enforce this.

“Please don’t use this as an opportunity to make a political statement, because all you’re doing is hurting those business owners who are just doing their job.”

He said the letter addressed to the Premier will seek clarification on what the mandate entails and ask for financial assistance for impacted business, but not question the recommendations laid out by medical professionals.

Originally published as South Burnett Regional Council will have “no active role” in enforcing mandates