Andrews Government

19th September 2021

Premier Andrews has chosen to change the rules regarding what 70 and 80 percent vaccination rates represent, showing a complete disregard for the Morrison Government’s National Plan and again derailing Victorian’s sense of security and hope in the process.

The Andrews’ Government stated today that Victorians kids aged 12-plus factor in the 70 and 80 percent target rates.

“Adding 12-16 year-olds to the target adds weeks to the modelling, is not only disingenuous but it further increases the suffering of Victorians, particularly our school children as he denies them the benefits and joys of learning with their friends and teachers and in the process prolongs his ownership of control.

“This is in complete opposition to the National Plan,” Senator David Van said, “which states citizens 16 and above are the only cohort relevant to reaching those milestones.”

In a statement released today, the Senator said it makes him contemplate the Premier’s

motivations.

“His arbitrary milestones do not align with what was agreed to. He has not only ignored the targets in the Doherty modelling but he has arrogantly made up his own vaccine target, creating another issue for frustrated Victorians to digest and adhere to,” he said.

“National Cabinet agreed that the vaccine milestones of 70 percent and 80 percent were for

eligible Australians aged 16 and over.

“Andrews’ new target modelling is a sleight-of hand in-line with his approach to-date which is not

upfront and which is fueling the mistrust in the Labor party we are seeing across the State,” he

said.

“Andrews has ignored the Doherty modelling, his National Cabinet colleagues and the millions of Australian businesspeople, workers, families and school children who will be the victims of the most amount of time locked-down in the world.

“To add insult to injury, not only do businesses, such as retail, hospitality, events and gyms have to endure more time with little or no revenue, the density limits, (now known as DG2 and DG4) will restrict their businesses for months to come,” he said.

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