Vocal councillor quits LNP over Covid to be anti-vax ‘poster boy’
A maverick anti-vaxxer taken under the wing of a Far North MP has quit the LNP in defiance of a federal stance on Covid-19 as the pro-choice movement prepares for an Cairns Esplanade rally.
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A MAVERICK anti-vaxxer taken under the wing of a Far North MP has quit the LNP in defiance of a federal government stance on Covid-19.
Cairns Division 9 councillor Brett Olds has been open about his decision not to get the jab and has declared vaccination a “personal choice.”
He has now spoken out against latest state restrictions that require visitors to pubs, clubs and restaurants be double jabbed by December 17.
“I quit the party and I think I can represent the people better by just being me,” he said.
“I don’t like being dictated to, I read the LNP constitution but over the last 18 months I feel their actions have not lined up with my beliefs.
“I don’t think I will be a good party member, I don’t want to toe the line.”
Cr Olds said he will deliver a speech at an anti-vax Freedom Rally expected to draw huge crowds to the Cairns Esplanade on Saturday.
The Cairns councillor said he was comfortable with being elevated as a champion of the vaccination freedom movement.
“I have had a fair bit of hate and have been a dartboard for one side of the movement and a poster boy for the other,” he said.
Cr Olds joined the party 18 months ago and was billed as a potential successor to Warren Entsch before the Leichhardt MP make the call to run again at the upcoming election.
Mr Entsch said while he didn’t agree with Cr Olds’ vaccination stance he respected the decision.
“We all have different views but I told him ‘that does not mean you have to walk away and you will be more effective if you stay in the party’,” he said.
“I admire him for his courage, I don’t agree with him, but I admire him for his courage.”
Mr Entsch expressed concern about latest venue entry restrictions that were echoed by Kennedy MP Bob Katter and Hill MP Shane Knuth at an anti-vax rally held in Atherton on Friday.
“I can understand why people are arcing up,” Mr Entsch said.
“I understand there is a lot of angst and it’s a real worry for business. I like to think there will be a reconsideration of this, sooner rather than later.”
Cr Olds said the so-called freedom movement was not about the jab but rather voicing opposition to the tough new laws.
“These are draconian mandates,” he said.
“This discrimination and segregation is bringing nothing but negative outcomes.
“Everyone has to respect other people’s choices. Everyone should have the opportunity to say what they believe.
“How can you tell your kids to stand up for what you believe in if you don’t do it yourself?”
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Originally published as Vocal councillor quits LNP over Covid to be anti-vax ‘poster boy’
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