MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster says COVID-19 vaccine “segregation” is causing “harm” and “division” in Victoria.
It came as Dr Webster praised outgoing Swan Hill Council chief executive John McLinden, who resigned last week because of his vaccination status.
Remaining unvaccinated meant Mr McLinden could no longer attend the workplace under directives from the Chief Health Officer.
Director of development and planning Heather Green was appointed short-term acting chief executive at an unscheduled meeting on Thursday.
She will commence upon the departure of Mr McLinden at 5pm Friday.
Ms Green will remain in the role for up to four weeks until a longer term acting chief executive is appointed.
Dr Webster said she was on record as orchestrating a petition against mandating the vaccine.
“Obviously I am supportive of the vaccine, promoted and encouraged it everywhere I could go,” she said.
“If you look at the way NSW has handled it, on December 1 there will be no segregation.
“Why the Victorian Government wants to keep this segregation going … it’s almost like he (Premier Daniel Andrews) is proving a point.
“I’m sure there is some health advice we aren’t privy to that would be the reason why it would go through until 2022, which is the information I have at the moment that that is his intention.”
Dr Webster said she was disappointed the “no jab, no job” mandate forced Mr McLinden’s hand.
“John and I worked through many issues over the past two-and-a-half years,” she said.
“He was a man who really has the community at his heart.
“He was a good operator.”
Dr Webster said the “harm” the mandatory “obligation” had on Victorians had “once again divided us and unnecessarily so”.
She said she would be comfortable with 10 per cent of the unvaccinated population circulating in a vaccinated economy.
“The whole of the social fabric shouldn’t be held in paralysis by making people who don’t want to get the vaccination vaccinated,” Dr Webster said.
“The virus itself will run its course, one way or another.
“It will spread like all viruses do through the community and ultimately aim for herd immunity.
“I haven’t had COVID — I’ve had the vaccine three times — honestly, I just get brain fog about this as it stands.
“How do we keep holding a nation to ransom when choices have been made.
“We have a very, very high vaccination rate — highest in the world.
“Many, many other countries have opened up long since and are getting on with the show.
“We need to be pragmatic about this because we have done everything we can.”
Dr Webster said it was a “living story that people needed to keep walking through”.
“Victorians have had enough of the fear, of the lockdowns, of the restrictions, and just want to get on and live our lives.”
