Mark McGowan slammed for telling Western Australians not to be ‘dropkicks’

Mark McGowan has given a very simple instruction to anti-vaxxers abusing hospitality staff checking their vaccination status: ‘don’t be a dropkick’.

The Western Australia premier made the controversial comments in a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon after some Covid-19 restrictions were brought in this week.

Residents living in Perth and Peel must show proof of vaccination when entering a high risk venue such as nightclubs, hotels and pubs with a capacity of over 500 people. 

The Western Australia premier made the controversial comments in a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon after some Covid-19 restrictions were brought in this week

Some hospitality workers have reportedly been copping abuse for asking patrons to show their vax certificate, prompting the premier’s sharp remark. 

‘If you’re asked to show your proof of vaccination, don’t be a dropkick,’ he said.

‘There is never an excuse to be rude to staff – not now, not ever. It’s not the Western Australian way.’

Dropkick is Australian slang that is used to suggest a person is not very smart. 

Mr McGowan urged residents to be prepared as they headed out to bars and clubs before pleading with them for a second time not to be a ‘dropkick’.

‘Remember, this is to keep you and everyone else in attendance safe. So please, don’t be a dropkick,’ he added.  

But his comments weren’t taken on well by many Western Australians with some hitting out at his ‘inappropriate’ language.

‘This is totally unprofessional and I’m disappointed that a Premier of this state and members of his parliament are repeatedly resorting to name calling to convince people to act in a certain way,’ one wrote.

Residents living in Perth and Peel must show proof of vaccination when entering a high risk venue such as nightclubs, hotels and pubs with a capacity of over 500 people

Mr McGowan urged residents to be prepared as they headed out to bars and clubs before pleading with them for a second time not to be a ‘dropkick’

‘Calling people names while expecting people to act appropriately….are you listening to yourself!’ said another.

‘The west Australian way is to be able to choose what’s right for you and your family not be coerced into doing,’ someone commented.

‘The only DROP-KICK here is you McGowan. How dare you speak down to the people you are serving!’ one fired up woman wrote.

Meanwhile others were impressed with the premier’s choice of adjective.

‘You sir are a legend. Looking forward to hanging out with educated people,’ one man said.

‘The app should give you an option, vaxxed or a dropkick,’ said another.

‘Abusing people for doing their job is being a dropkick. Don’t like being called a dropkick don’t abuse the workers be polite and go away,’ one West Aussie commented.

‘This has made my day! It’s simple. And there could be a lot harsher words to choose from!’