Perrottet Acknowledges COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Were a Misstep in Farewell Address

August 7, 2024 TruthUSA

Former New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet has acknowledged in his farewell address to parliament that implementing COVID-19 vaccine mandates was a mistake.

After 13 years of service, Perrottet announced his resignation from NSW Parliament on July 19 and will now pursue a private sector career in the United States.

In his speech, Perrottet recognized that while the intention behind the mandates was to limit the spread of the virus, they were not very effective in reducing transmission.

“While we did make some correct decisions, I believe there were more mistakes than successes. One significant error made by governments globally was enforcing strict vaccine mandates,” Perrottet stated in the NSW Legislative Assembly.

Perrottet served as Deputy Premier and Treasurer before becoming Premier on Oct. 5, 2021, and resigning on March 28, 2023. He highlighted that NSW Health introduced mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for all healthcare workers during his tenure.

Perrottet emphasized the dual nature of COVID as a health and economic crisis. He shared his firsthand experience with the challenges posed by government policies that continue to impact the state.

He commended former Premier Gladys Berejiklian for encouraging open discussions among senior ministers in daily crisis Cabinet meetings, allowing for diverse perspectives in shaping the state’s response.

Perrottet stressed the value of considering differing opinions and credited the collective effort of ministers and public servants for NSW’s effective response to the pandemic.

Berejiklian was in office when vaccine mandates were imposed for various workers, including healthcare, aged care, and construction workers starting in August 2021.

Perrottet mentioned that upon assuming office, he swiftly removed certain vaccine mandates, though he acknowledged that this action should have been taken earlier.

“While vaccines were crucial in saving lives, the enforcement of mandates was a mistake. People’s personal choices should not have resulted in job loss,” he explained.

Perrottet reflected on his political journey, having been elected to parliament in 2011 following a legal career and leadership in the NSW Young Liberals organization. He served as Treasurer before becoming Premier in 2021.

Imagination and Ideas ‘Lifeblood of Politics’

Perrottet shared insights on the essence of politics based on his executive experience, emphasizing the importance of imagination and innovative ideas.

He highlighted that challenging the status quo and fostering a creative mindset are essential for driving progress and building a better future.

Perrottet underscored the significance of questioning established norms to initiate positive change and referenced examples of initiating reforms that may be continued by future leaders.

He acknowledged the obstacles in advocating for change, noting that many individuals are focused on current affairs rather than envisioning a transformative future.

A Look Back at the Vaccine Mandates

Perrottet recounted the timeline of vaccine mandates in NSW, including requirements for various sectors such as healthcare, aged care, and construction workers. He mentioned the recent relaxation of vaccination mandates after nearly three years.

“COVID-19 vaccination changed from required to strongly recommended for all NSW Health workers,” a policy directive dated May 16, 2024, stated (pdf).

Mandatory vaccination requirements for construction workers in certain areas were also lifted in NSW, signaling an evolving approach to vaccination policies in the region.

Varying mandates were enforced across different states and territories in Australia, with a common focus on healthcare and aged care workers.

NSW Libertarian MLC John Ruddick commended Perrottet for acknowledging past errors in COVID response and highlighted the importance of learning from such experiences.

Ruddick praised Perrottet for his rational approach during the pandemic and credited him with steering NSW towards a more balanced and liberty-focused response.

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