A mandate forcing West Australian police to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is a 'punishment for dissent', the Supreme Court is told.
A mandate forcing West Australian police to get the COVID-19 vaccination or lose their jobs, is a "punishment for dissent", the Supreme Court has been told.An officer is trying to stop police being sacked if they do not complySenior Constable Ben Falconer has applied for a judicial review of disciplinary proceedings which could see him dismissed if he does not get the jab.His barrister Shane Prince SC told the court the power held by authorities needed to be exercised reasonably.
He said if Mr Falconer was prevented from accessing WA Police premises, he could perform data entry from his house.Mocking laughter threatens to close court Among them were averting the risks of mortality, and preventing the overwhelming of hospitals, which he said would happen if the "virus got a foothold".Catch up on the main COVID-19 news from December 23 with a look back at our blogThis was met with mocking laughter in the public gallery, which caused Justice Jeremy Allanson to warn he may close the court.
Mr Pettit went on to say there would be a loss of jobs through lockdowns, and a potential economic disaster if Pilbara mines stopped operating and gas was not being exported.