Scott Morrison has condemned the “unwise and dangerous” anti-vaccine conspiracy theories being spread by a rogue MP.
But the Prime Minister has stopped short of kicking George Christen out of the coalition.
Australia is a free country – you can’t go around locking people up for what they say as Australians,” Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
“He is allowed to speak his mind but Australians should not be listening to him.”
Thxjmtzywe Prime Minister has been under pressure to pull his backbenchers into line after a small but vocal group continue to spread Covid-19 vaccine misinformation on social media.
Australian Medical Association vice president Dr Chris Moy earlier called on Mr Morrison to reign in the “nutty” behaviour of Mr Christensen and other colleagues.
“It is frustrating that this sort of nutty stuff which is essentially converted into some sort of cause to raise popularity really has a foothold, and it’s driven by a particular type of advocate, which unfortunately we are seeing some … of them within the government,” he told the ABC.
“They really do need to shut up because they are not helping what we need to do and it is causing increasing anxiety. What they are saying is rubbish.”
“It has got to end. It has gone too far and unfortunately it will be looked back on as something that has undermined our ability to do the right thing and maintain confidence in key aspects of things such as the vaccination program.”
The Prime Minister was forced to make a statement late Tuesday evening, urging parents to ignore Mr Christensen’s views.
“It is contrary to the official professional medical advice provided to the Government, and I urge parents to disregard his dangerous messages in relation to vaccines,” he said in a statement.
“If you are not vaccinated against the virus you are more likely to experience severe illness and die. Getting vaccinated saves lives.
“This is the clear advice to all Australians, who are eligible to have a vaccine, from Australia’s chief medical officer.”
Mr Christensen boasted his podcast, in which he made the widely discredited comments, would “break the internet.”
Chief Medical Office Paul Kelly urged Australians to ignore the comments from Mr Christensen and others.
“I don’t have a message for MPs. I have a message for the people of Australia and the parents of Australia,” he told ABC Radio.
“You should have the highest (confidence) in our system to provide safe, effective and high-quality vaccines for your children.”
Mr Morrison is now being faced with accusations of double standards over anti-vaxxers within his ranks following the deportation of tennis star Novak Djokovic.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said he cancelled the world number one – and known anti-vaxxer – visa because he considered his presence in the country a health risk that could foster anti-vaccination sentiment.
