{"id":310254,"date":"2021-11-26T18:22:40","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T08:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=310254"},"modified":"2021-11-26T19:16:44","modified_gmt":"2021-11-26T09:16:44","slug":"dont-blame-us-says-federal-mp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/11\/26\/dont-blame-us-says-federal-mp\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Blame Us, Says Federal MP"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Agriculture Minister and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November 26, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In a media statement, Mr Littleproud provided a link<\/a> <\/strong>to the Premier’s office so residents can contact the Premier directly.<\/p>\n

southburnett.com.au<\/strong> 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”.<\/p>\n

COVID-19 vaccinations and associated restrictions have also been much-discussed in Federal Parliament this week, with\u00a0five Coalition senators crossing the floor to support a One Nation Bill to end “vaccine discrimination”. The Bill was easily defeated.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But Minister Littleproud has turned the vaccine spotlight firmly back on the State Government.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“From day one, the Coalition Federal Government said we\u2019d never mandate COVID-19 vaccines and we haven\u2019t,” Mr Littleproud said.<\/p>\n

“In health care, aged care, and disability care \u2013 those working with and supporting such vulnerable people should be up to date with their vaccines, that\u2019s just common sense.<\/p>\n

“On December 17, the Queensland Labor Government will mandate vaccines broadly across the community and will yet again draw parochial divisions in our community.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s therefore important to recognise that Chief Health Officers and Premiers are the ones who are determining this, not the Federal Government.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“There are clear delineations between State and Federal powers which Australians \u2013 particularly those who live in Queensland \u2013 are starting to see.<\/p>\n

“The Federal Government has shown leadership; we\u2019ve put in place a National Plan for an 80 per cent vaccination rate \u2013 we hit that 80 per cent. Now we no longer need to use lockdowns as a measure, we should move freely but it\u2019s the Queensland Labor Government which is against progression.<\/p>\n

“The Queensland Labor Government is burdening small business with the responsibility to \u2018throw out\u2019 unvaccinated patrons and forcing them to let-go staff who haven\u2019t been vaccinated during an already prevalent staffing and skills shortage.<\/p>\n

“December 17 restrictions don\u2019t meet the scientific advice provided under the National Plan and I encourage you to contact the Qld Premier as it\u2019s her government which is making these decisions on the fate of our State.”<\/p>\n