CORONAVIRUS —
MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICY
921. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I
refer to the government's requirement for mandatory vaccination for
employees of businesses in Western Australia announced on 20 October
2021 and prior mandates for workers.
(1) How many
public servants are expected to choose not to be vaccinated and therefore be
dismissed or resign by —
(a) 31 December
2021;
(b) 31 January
2022; and
(c) 28 February
2022?
(2) What plans has the government
put in place to manage any loss of workforce?
(3) What is the current rate of Western
Australian public servants who have received —
(a) one COVID vaccine dose; and
(b) both COVID vaccine doses?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) There is no blanket policy for everyone to be
subject to a mandatory vaccination. The mandatory vaccination policy is
based on health advice and a significant number of public sector agencies are
included in the mandates, where there is a risk. Approximately 80 per cent of
the government sector may be captured by the mandates. This includes the public
sector and some non-public sector entities, such as sworn police and government
trading enterprises, but excludes local governments and universities.
(2)–(3) Everyone
eligible is encouraged to get vaccinated now and ensure that they have their
proof of vaccination by the deadlines
specified in the directions. Employees captured by the directions have until
the nominated deadline to receive their vaccinations.
It
would be helpful if all major political parties supported the vaccination
program and encouraged Western Australians to get vaccinated.