November 26, 2021
Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has urged residents concerned about the State Government’s December 17 COVID-19 restrictions to contact Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, not his office.
In a media statement, Mr Littleproud provided a link to the Premier’s office so residents can contact the Premier directly.
southburnett.com.au understands the offices of local politicians as well as the South Burnett Regional Council have been fielding petitions and telephone calls from so-called “freedom fighters”.
COVID-19 vaccinations and associated restrictions have also been much-discussed in Federal Parliament this week, with five Coalition senators crossing the floor to support a One Nation Bill to end “vaccine discrimination”. The Bill was easily defeated.
Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien also urged an end-date for restrictions to be fixed, suggesting he could join the Coalition “rebels” if things did not change.
But Minister Littleproud has turned the vaccine spotlight firmly back on the State Government.
“From day one, the Coalition Federal Government said we’d never mandate COVID-19 vaccines and we haven’t,” Mr Littleproud said.
“In health care, aged care, and disability care – those working with and supporting such vulnerable people should be up to date with their vaccines, that’s just common sense.
“On December 17, the Queensland Labor Government will mandate vaccines broadly across the community and will yet again draw parochial divisions in our community.
“Our Constitution provides State Governments with this power and is delivered, in most part, through public health orders. State governments under our Constitution are sovereign governments and the Federal Government does not have overarching powers, as some mistakenly believe.
“It’s therefore important to recognise that Chief Health Officers and Premiers are the ones who are determining this, not the Federal Government.
“There are clear delineations between State and Federal powers which Australians – particularly those who live in Queensland – are starting to see.
“The Federal Government has shown leadership; we’ve put in place a National Plan for an 80 per cent vaccination rate – we hit that 80 per cent. Now we no longer need to use lockdowns as a measure, we should move freely but it’s the Queensland Labor Government which is against progression.
“The Queensland Labor Government is burdening small business with the responsibility to ‘throw out’ unvaccinated patrons and forcing them to let-go staff who haven’t been vaccinated during an already prevalent staffing and skills shortage.
“December 17 restrictions don’t meet the scientific advice provided under the National Plan and I encourage you to contact the Qld Premier as it’s her government which is making these decisions on the fate of our State.”
- Related article: Vax Rules ‘Don’t Apply’ To Council
