Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has explained why the vaccine mandate will still be in place for some workers, ahead of more Covid restrictions easing in the state on Friday night.
After reiterating that decisions on vaccine requirements are not his to make, Mr Andrews said on Friday those changes will only be made when deemed appropriate by Health Minister Martin Foley.
“If it was something to happen now, then it would have happened when the announcements were made and it would be happening at midnight,” Mr Andrews said.
“So clearly the advice doesn’t support doing that now.”
The vaccine economy is ending across the state from 11.59pm on Friday, meaning people will no longer need to be vaccinated to enter venues like restaurants, gyms, bars and cinemas.
But worker vaccination requirements will remain in place, causing frustration and angst in some sectors like the transport industry.
Victorian Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson told on Friday the vaccine mandate should be removed for drivers, with two doses currently required for general freight and three for transporting food.
“We estimate around 10 per cent of drivers left the transport industry because of vaccination mandates, which is significant for an industry already facxjmtzywing driver shortages,” Mr Anderson said.
“This will also help to ease supply chain disruptions that have led to delivery delays and chronic shortages at supermarkets and other retail stores.”
National Road Transport Association chief executive Warren Clark also said Victoria’s mandate “puts it out of step with other jurisdictions” and “may create difficulties for truck drivers operating across borders”.
But when the issue was raised with Mr Andrews, he said he had not been made aware of that “specific concern” by those in the industry.
“I’m not here to debate the settings that have been made, they’re decisions that are made by the minister (Mr Foley) under a framework delivered to us by the parliament of Victoria. That’s based on the best of advice,” he said.
“I must say I’ve seen those reports, yes. But I talk with many people in the transport industry, they have not raised that issue recently with me.”
He did acknowledge there has been significant pressure in that transport sector and hard work should be done so more people are working in all areas of the industry.
Mr Andrews reiterated that Covid restrictions will only be in place for as long as they are needed, while saying there is a “spark” around the state with Victorians heading out to multiple events.
“Every rule will only be there for so long as it serves a purpose in keeping us safe,” he said.
“I’ve seen a lot of people talking about “Melbourne’s back, Victoria’s back’, yeah absolutely.
“There’s a real sense of momentum and confidence around our state.”
