Western Australian FIFO workers in mining, oil and gas will HAVE to be vaccinated against Covid

How tens of thousands of Australian workers will HAVE to be vaccinated against Covid or face the sack – in a state with ZERO cases

  • Those in mining and resources industry in WA will need to be jabbed by next year
  • Premier Mark McGowan announced changes to 100,000 workers on Tuesday 
  • Workers will need to have received one jab by December 1 and both by January
  • The mandate comes at a time where there are no cases active in WA community 


Australian workers in the resources sector will need to be vaccinated by next year despite the state having no community transmission of Covid-19.

Premier Mark McGowan announced on Tuesday all staff in mining, oil, gas and resources sites including FIFO workers must receive one jab by December 1 and both shots by January 1, 2022.

The mandate will apply to around 100,000 workers as well as those who work in rural operations, exploration or run critical infrastructure with Mr McGowan saying the decision was based off health advice.

Visitors to mines or oil operations would also need to be fully jabbed.

Vaccination hubs would be set up at Perth Airport with the WA premier adding the move would reduce the risk of the virus spreading to Indigenous communities.  

WA Premier Mark McGowan announced on Tuesday all workers in the mining and resources industry must receive one jab by December 1 and both shots by January 1 2022 (pictured, workers at Perth Airport)

Poll

DO YOU AGREE WITH MANDATORY VACCINES FOR SOME WORKERS?

  • Yes – for health care, aged care and hotel quarantine staff 353 votes
  • Yes – for all workers 509 votes
  • No – no one should have to 1885 votes

‘Resources sector workers potentially come into contact with Aboriginal people from remote communities, which means there is a risk that Covid-19 could enter a community from an infected worker,’ he said.

‘The mining sector is also the largest employer of Aboriginal people in the regions.’

Paul Everingham, CEO of The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA, said most workers within the industry supported the move with just 5 per cent showing some hesitation to roll up their sleeves. 

‘Australia is a democratic country, you do have a right to not get vaccinated, and that’s your own free right,’ he told the ABC.

‘But with freedom comes personal responsibility, and with freedom doesn’t come the right to impose your illness on other people.

The mandates come despite the state having no positive cases out in the community as Mr McGowan's tough border arrangements remain firmly in place (pictured, masked-up customers at a Perth café)

The mandates come despite the state having no positive cases out in the community as Mr McGowan’s tough border arrangements remain firmly in place (pictured, masked-up customers at a Perth café)

‘I wouldn’t say there is an obligation on anyone to provide a job to someone who chooses not to have a vaccination.’

Meanwhile the same vaccination requirements would be enforced for teenagers wanting to go to end of high school events in Dunsborough in the state’s south-west.

The state’s Vaccine Commander Chris Dawson said schoolies would need to show proof of at least one vaccination to enter the highly anticipated event scheduled for late November.

The mandates come despite the state having no positive cases out in the community as Mr McGowan’s tough border arrangements remain firmly in place.

There are 16 active cases around the state, four in hotel quarantine, six in hospital from the MV Stolt Sakura ship and another six isolating on board the vessel. 

There are 16 active cases around the state, four in hotel quarantine, six in hospital from the MV Stolt Sakura ship and another six isolating on board the vessel (pictured, Cottesloe Beach in Perth)

There are 16 active cases around the state, four in hotel quarantine, six in hospital from the MV Stolt Sakura ship and another six isolating on board the vessel (pictured, Cottesloe Beach in Perth)

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