Police Association delegates met today regarding the SAPOL COVID-19 Vaccination Direction, and provide the following statement:
-The delegates acknowledge that around 90% of members have indicated they are, or plan to be, vaccinated.
-The delegates acknowledge that both federal and state governments have campaigned and continue to campaign for voluntary vaccination. We further note that neither the federal nor state government has moved legislation to mandate vaccinations.
-Delegates support SAPOL’s requirement for members who voluntarily undertake COVID duties – such as those associated with medi-hotels – to have been vaccinated.
-Delegates accept that many members hold strong views on either side of the mandatory vaccination argument.
-Delegates understand that COVID-19 can still be contracted – and spread – by fully vaccinated individuals.
-Delegates believe that members should be free to make personal health decisions under the principle of informed consent, without the fear of losing their job or suffering some other undeserved punishment.
-Delegates support each member’s individual right to undertake vaccination by choice rather than coercion.
-Delegates respect that members have their own personal, legitimate reasons for choosing not to take the vaccine.
-Delegates also respect the concerns of members who are in favour of mandatory vaccination, and their concern over working with unvaccinated people.
-Delegates understand the concern that standing down unvaccinated members will exacerbate the existing staffing issues within the workplace.
-Delegates do not support the division that now exists between members over this issue.
-The delegates acknowledge the work PASA is doing in using medical experts to educate its members in respect of vaccination. Delegates encourage members to make decisions with the fullest possible knowledge and understanding of the relevant medical facts and health implications.
-Delegates direct that the committee of management follows the same industrial relations course of action as it would with any other member issue – that the action is guided by the legal advice.
-Delegates support the following actions:
1. Legal opinion being sought about the position of members not willing to be vaccinated. That opinion should also address the industrial rights of members who are vaccinated working with members who are not.
2. That members not wishing to be vaccinated will be provided with alternative duties rather than being stood down.
3. That the police commissioner establishes whether unvaccinated members are willing to be vaccinated with an alternative, future vaccine, ie. protein-based (after TGA approval).
4.That the police commissioner makes a clear and unequivocal statement regarding vaccine adverse reactions or injuries – that if a member is injured or suffers an adverse reaction as a result of the vaccination (short or long-term), it will be designated as a Workcover claim and/or injury and income protection claim (as per Police Officers Award).
5. That members who suffer a mental health injury owing to the mandatory vaccination direction are supported by Employee Assistance Section.
6. That the police commissioner ensures that no member is discriminated against in the workplace for any view he or she holds relative to this issue.
7. That the police commissioner immediately enters into negotiations with the association in respect of the industrial implications for those affected by his direction.
8. The police commissioner provides to the membership specific government health advice and/or modelling which stipulates that vaccinations must not only be recommended, but mandatory, to fully achieve the purposes contained in the Emergency Management Act direction.
9. That the police commissioner provides specific government health advice and/or modelling showing that numbers of police workers (enough to cause disruption) will be furloughed unless vaccinations are mandatory (and at a rate above the existing 90% in SAPOL).
10. That the police commissioner show evidence that, by his direction, he is not breaching the Equal Opportunity Act in respect of discrimination on religious or other grounds.
11. That the police commissioner guarantee that a fully vaccinated member who tests positive for COVID-19 (but is not sick) will not be quarantined after November 15, 2021.
