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Heated moment Dan Andrews is interrupted at a press conference on persistent vaccine mandates: ‘You’re a fraud’
- Dan Andrews clashes with heckler over vaccine mandates
- Victorian Prime Minister avoids eye contact while lecturing a man
- After being called ‘a fraud’, PM says man is ‘frankly wrong’
A Daniel Andrews press conference went off the rails when he confronted a rioter over Covid vaccine mandates.
The disgruntled man called the Victorian prime minister “a fraud” on Sunday during the heated exchange after asking when jab requirements for front-line workers would be removed.
Andrews was there to brief reporters on Melbourne’s annual Midsumma Pride March, which was held in the seaside suburb of St Kilda to celebrate the LGBTIQ community, but the topic of discussion quickly fell apart.
‘When are they going to abandon the vaccine mandates for the police and the health sector?’ the man asked.
Andrews pointedly avoided making eye contact and said there were still national vaccination mandates in place, though he did not mention states like Queensland that now do not require police to be vaccinated.
The man said voluntary organizations including Life Saving Victoria, the State Emergency Service and the Country Fire Association had removed the vaccination mandate for members and again asked the prime minister when he would do the same.
Mr. Andrews said there ‘there are some consistent approaches at the national level in relation to those who work in sensitive environments, for example, elderly care workers and hospital workers.
‘How long will it last? Another year or two? the man tried to get in the way.
‘I’m not here to apologize for saving lives…’ Mr Andrews began.
A Daniel Andrews press conference went off the rails when he was confronted by a rioter over Covid vaccine mandates
“No, you wouldn’t,” the man interrupted.
‘No, I won’t. You’re right. We can agree on that,’ Mr Andrews said as he kept his eyes away from the man.
As the man attempted to further question the Prime Minister, Andrews told him he was not a “reputable journalist” and wished him “Happy Pride and all the best” as he continued to talk over his attempts to interrupt.
‘Let me make one thing very clear, vaccines work. I am absolutely all for vaccines,” Andrews said pointing to the man to the right of him, but still looking straight ahead.
Enraged by the response, the interrupter said: ‘You’re a fraud. That’s the stupidest thing you said on election night,’ referring to Andrews’ victory speech after the November vote, where he praised vaccinations for pulling Victoria out of its prolonged Covid lockdowns.
Mr Andrews was there to brief reporters on Melbourne’s annual Midsumma Pride March, which was held in the seaside suburb of St Kilda to celebrate the LGBTIQ community, but the topic of discussion quickly fell apart.
‘Others can judge who is being stupid right now. Science is important. Science is very important,’ Mr Andrews said.
‘All the best to you, if you want to abuse me, you’ve already done a bit of that.’
Andrews started to answer a question from a reporter, but stopped abruptly, deciding to have the last word on his accuser.
“There was an election, sir, and I am very pleased to say that we have been re-elected,” Andrews said.
‘Part of that, of course, is listening to a wide range of points of view. He has said what he had to say and he is frankly wrong.