Double Jabs or Double Standards

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has called for amendments to the Legislative Assembly Standing Orders to require any Member of Parliament planning to return for the October sitting to be fully vaccinated unless there is a medical reason for not doing so.

“Given that the NSW Government has mandated a COVID vaccine for frontline workers, it’s time to mandate the vaccine for Members of Parliament,” Mr Ward said.

“The best leadership is leading by example. You cannot ask of others what you aren’t prepared to do yourself.

“Whilst I firmly believe that having a vaccine should remain a choice, mandating the vaccine for politicians sends a powerful message to the community about the standards we set and the standards we support.

“It is totally hypocritical for Parliamentarians to expect others to do all the heavy lifting without first applying these same standards to community leaders. 

“I would encourage local Councils to consider amending their Codes of Meeting Practice to do the same.

“I wrote to the NSW Premier today to make this request. Should the Government not agree, I will move these amendments in my capacity as an Independent Member of Parliament,” Mr Ward concluded.