QCCL Opposes Vaccine Passport

“The Queensland Government’s decision to prohibit unvaccinated people entering the State from New South Wales brings into focus the need to debate fully the question of vaccine passports” says QCCL President Michael Cope.

“Whilst many will see this new rule as a legitimate and necessary response to the threat of Covid, freedom of movement between the States has for 120 years been both a fundamental liberty and fundamental to Australia being one nation. We need to think carefully before we take steps that may permanently alter our nation”

“The QCCL repeats its concerns about proposals that Australians maybe required to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID19 to move around the country and access basic services” says QCCL President Michael Cope

In June this year a committee of the UK House of Commons identified significant ethical issues with Covid passports and found that the Government had failed to make out the scientific basis for immunity passports[1]

In June 2021, 73% of Australians agreed or strongly agreed that they would get a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and is recommended for them, an increase from May 2021 (68%). One in nine (11%) of people disagreed or strongly disagreed that they would get a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and is recommended for them, similar to May 2021 (13%).[2]

“The idea that we need a vaccination passport to facilitate a safe re-opening is just plain wrong in the face of these rates of vaccine acceptance, “says Mr. Cope

As the House of Commons Committee found, the negative impacts of a passport are likely to fall disproportionately on those who are already socially marginalised and disadvantaged[3].

There are whole range of people who for legitimate reasons are unable or find it difficult to access or choose not to get the vaccine. Some of these reasons are protected characteristics under Federal and State anti discrimination laws, including age, disability, pregnancy, religious and political belief.

There is a high risk of indirect discrimination. The House of Commons Committee cited research saying that people identifying as Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and no religion all have vaccination rates above 90%, it is lower for those identifying as Buddhist (83.3%), other religions (81.4%), and Muslim (78.8%).  We would expect similar results in this country.

The focus should be on getting shots into arms, by identifying and eliminating the barriers that are creating the gap between those who say they want the shot. Do people need rides to a vaccination place or in-home visits? Do they need some paid hours off to get the jab, or do we need to provide leave for those who have side effects?

Mr Cope also noted the concerns of many, that state or corporate mandating of a vaccine passport rather than encouraging the doubtful will further entrench their resistance?[4]

“The QCCL has always been concerned that emergency measures to address the pandemic, will become entrenched. In this country we have a tradition of freedom of movement without the need for proof of identity. Any vaccine passport could easily become a permanent feature and form the basis of a liberty threatening identity system.”

[1] House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee  Covid-Status Certification Report 10 June 2021 page 31

[2] Australian Bureau of Statistics  June 2021 https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/household-impacts-covid-19-survey/latest-release#covid-19-vaccination

[3] House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee  Covid-Status Certification Report 10 June 2021page 24

[4] Ed Yong How the Pandemic Now Ends The Atlantic 12 August 2021