Former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has conceded vaccine mandates were the wrong approach when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his Valedictory Speech to NSW Parliament, has has reflected on the government’s response to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
“Credit goes to former Premier Gladys Berejiklian for fostering an environment where senior ministers could discuss and debate our response from various perspectives during daily crisis cabinet meetings,” Perrottet said.
“This approach helped NSW address the health needs of our people while remaining more open and free than other states.
“As hard and as challenging as that period was, it was incredibly rewarding to work alongside such dedicated ministers and public servants.
“Whilst we didn’t always agree, and in fact often disagreed, everyone’s perspective was fairly considered and I believe led to NSW having one of the strongest responses not just in this country but globally.”
Perrottet said he believed the government got “more right than wrong”, but mandates were the wrong approach.
“Health officials and governments were acting with the right intentions to stop the spread,” he said.
“But if the impact of vaccines on transmission was limited at best, as is mostly now accepted, the law should have left more room and respect for freedom.
“Vaccines saved lives. But ultimately mandates were wrong.
“People’s personal choices shouldn’t have cost them their jobs. When I became Premier, we removed them, or the ones we actually could, but this should have happened faster.
“If a pandemic comes again we need to get a better balance – encouraging people to take action whilst at the same time protecting people’s fundamental liberty.”
Perrottet paid tribute to the team behind the government’s COVID response, including former State Penrith MP Stuart Ayres.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.