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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 516 asked in the Legislative Council on 14 June 2022 by Hon Nick Goiran

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

CORONAVIRUS — VACCINATIONS — GROUP 2 DIRECTIONS

516. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health:

I refer to the Booster Vaccination (Restrictions on Access) Directions (No 2) and, in particular, to the dates by which group 2 industries and occupations were to have received their booster dose.

(1) On what basis were the dates for group 2 industries and occupations set?

(2) Why were court and tribunal workers required to receive their first dose by 4 February 2022 and be fully vaccinated by 4 March 2022 when all other group 2 industries and occupations were to receive their first dose by 31 December 2021 and be fully vaccinated by 31 January 2022?

(3) On what basis was this special extension of time provided to court and tribunal workers?

Hon SUE ELLERY replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1) On 19 October 2021 and 22 October 2021, the Chief Health Officer provided advice to government regarding the need for the mandatory vaccination of workers in Western Australia. The mandatory vaccination policy and legal directions were advised to occur in a staged approach with workers being grouped either as group 1, essential and high-risk workers, or group 2, critical workers. The time frame of the introduction and staging of the two groups allowed for appropriate consultation and communication with industry and key stakeholders. Workers and employers required time to understand the requirements and ensure appropriate systems were in place in order to comply with the mandates.

(2) The court and tribunal workers were not included as a listed workforce in the original group 2 critical workers. Additional advice was provided to the Premier regarding court and tribunal workers on 21 January 2022. Following advice to the Premier, the Court and Tribunal Worker (Restrictions on Access) Directions were written and signed on 31 January. The court and tribunal worker mandate required workers to receive their first dose by 5 February 2022, which was a minimum time required to comply with the directions following signing and publication.

(3) A special extension was not granted to court and tribunal workers.