Last year Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that almost all people throughout Queensland must be fully vaccinated by December 17, 2021. This means non-vaccinated people have been banned from pubs, clubs, restaurants, and most non-essential indoor and outdoor venues.
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has been encouraging all of the Capricornia electorate to get vaccinated but believes it is the time for the Queensland Government to end its vaccine mandates.
“While vaccination remains the safest and most important means for Australians to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19, I cannot support the Queensland Government’s mandates that are hurting small business and community organisations,” Ms Landry said.
“Queensland has passed the 90% fully vaccinated rate so I’m calling on the Queensland Government to end state-imposed mandates.”
Just this week, Ms Landry has been contacted by a range of businesses and community organisations that are at breaking point.
“Small business has already felt the effects of lockdowns, capacity restrictions, and workforce shortages and are really feeling the brunt of vaccine mandates.
“I have been inundated by small businesses from across Capricornia who are struggling with the lack of both staff and customers.
“Tourist operators are having to turn unvaccinated customers away as their business is considered a ‘tourism experience’, the mandates are not consistent.
“Now we have agricultural shows across Queensland having to cancel as they are not able to hold an inclusive show for all patrons, regardless of their vaccination status.
“The Federal Government have been clear that vaccinations should not be mandatory except in cases where you’ve got health workers that are working with vulnerable people.
“I believe the best way forward is to encourage vaccinations but to end the vaccine mandates that have been detrimental to businesses, their customer base and staffing workforce.
“I ask the Labor Members for Keppel and Rockhampton to join my call to end the mandate,” Ms Landry said.
