MEMBER for Northern Victoria Tim Quilty faces being kicked out of State Parliament next week after vowing that he would not provide any proof that he had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Victorian Government issued a notice of motion this week, saying any member who refused to show proof of vaccination would be banned from the parliamentary precinct and have their security access pass revoked.
They will be suspended until the second sitting day of the 2022 parliamentary year.
“If anybody needed proof that the Andrews government is operating on a different planet to the rest of us, then here it is,” Mr Quilty said.
“The government wants to eliminate any elected member of parliament who refuses to do as they are told.
“I will not play their game and I stand by what I said publicly yesterday: I will not provide any proof of vaccination.”
Fellow Liberal Democrats Legislative Council member David Limbrick has made the same vow, along with Member for Western Metropolitan Region Catherine Cumming.
“I am not an anti-vaxxer,” Mr Quilty said.
“I got my vaccine as soon as I was eligible. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated. I think the virus is more dangerous than the vaccine for most people.
“But I refuse to participate in the immoral coercion of mandated vaccines. I will not comply.”
Mr Quilty said the government coercion of vaccination was morally wrong.
“This is not about me. We are standing with all Victorians who do not wish to be forced into vaccination.
“It should be a choice, it should be something people freely decide to do. It should not be done using threats.”
“Bullies must be stood up to, and I will do just that – David (Limbrick) and I are not going to go down on our knees to the Premier.”
