Perth Australia Day Skyworks vaccination change sparks row over COVID-19 health advice

The West Australian government has rejected claims it advised the City of Perth that people attending its Australia Day fireworks event would need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas announced last week only people who could provide proof of vaccination would be welcome to watch tomorrow’s Skyworks display from the banks of the Swan River.

“If people don’t have proof of vaccination, those people will be asked to leave,” he said last Tuesday.

But on Monday afternoon, the council conceded unvaccinated people, or those who had only had just one vaccination, would not be stopped from attending.

The council said the original decision to apply the double vaccination requirement was based on health advice provided to them by the state government.

WA Premier Mark McGowan has flatly rejected that assertion.

“We never suggested that, that was the City of Perth,” he told reporters this morning.

What happened?

When announcing the Skyworks show would return after being cancelled in 2021, Mr Zempilas said 80 “COVID marshals” would roam the northern banks of the Swan River as crowds gathered to watch the fireworks.

“They will randomly or otherwise ask people for their ID and also proof of vaccination,” he said.

“That will be an honour system … and we will ask people to have those details to provide on request.”

Mr Zempilas later told Nine Radio if someone did not comply with the order, it would be a matter for the police to deal with, as the marshals would not have the power to move anybody on.

He said the city council was proceeding on health advice given to them by the state government.

But Police Minister Paul Papalia yesterday insisted the requirement was something the city had applied under its own accord.

“I’m not aware of the state having imposed any obligations around vaccination certificates in outdoor settings,” he said.

“There’s no obligation at this stage for outside events, so that is something that won’t be happening.”

The proof-of-vaccination requirement was not the policy of the City of South Perth, where people were also expected to gather to watch the show.

On Monday afternoon, the City of Perth updated its Skyworks event website saying proof of vaccination was no longer a requirement.

‘Softening’ of health advice

Mr Zempilas said this morning the change came after the council simply received new health advice.

“There has since been a softening in what the expectation is from the Department of Health. There was some lag in that being communicated to us,” he told ABC Radio Perth.

“That expectation and requirement is no longer in place.”

Mr Zempilas fronted reporters later in the day and read from an email purporting to show the initial health advice provided to council.

“‘It’s better to forewarn people of restrictions than to ease them’,” Mr Zempilas quoted from the email he said was sent from a Health Department officer on January 7.

“That’s why the advice was that you will be required to be double vaccinated.”

Mr Zempilas suggested the Premier and Police Minister were not aware of the council’s correspondence from the Health Department.

The ABC has contacted the department for comment.

Skyworks due to go ahead

Mr Zempilas said there was still a possibility Skyworks could be cancelled if new health advice dictated it was a risk to public health.

“The Premier and his team have decided that Skyworks can continue,” he said.

“Now if that advice changes later today, tomorrow or an hour before the first firework goes off, then we will understand that’s the environment we’re in. 

“But right now given the case numbers today and the trajectory of the last couple of days, we’re confident that Skyworks — under the Health Department advice that exists right now — can continue.”

Skyworks police operations commander Darren Seivwright said police would be patrolling alongside the COVID marshals.

“We will be policing with compassion but if someone chooses to be belligerent, then we’ll be applying the law to its fullest effect,” he said.

“So people can come to the event rest assured that they’ll be in a safe and secure environment.”

Nurses urge people to stay away

The Australian Nurses Federation (ANF) said out of a survey of about 3,000 members 89 per cent said the Skyworks should be cancelled.

“They’re wondering why we’re keeping the borders closed but allowing the biggest annual gathering, the biggest event on the Perth calendar,” ANF state secretary Mark Olsen said.

“[The government is] worried about people not wearing masks. They’re worried about up until today low testing rates.

“Skyshow is an outdoor event but getting there is crowds on public transport and cars.

“Members are calling on people not to go, to stay home and watch it on TV. If you have to catch a train, don’t go. If you have to catch a bus, don’t go.

“If where you are viewing [the fireworks] you can’t maintain a 1.5 metre distance, don’t go.”

[Zendesk COVID form embed]