The head of the Rural Doctors Association of Victoria has accused the Liberal Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent, of spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines to his electorate.
Last Friday the Victorian government mandated that all authorised workers, including state and federal politicians, must have received at least one dose of vaccine by October 15.
The announcement came after Mr Broadbent took to social media to express his views about mandatory vaccinations, vaccine passports and the efficacy of vaccines stopping the spread of COVID-19.
His negative comments have since been described by Victorian Rural Doctors Association president Rob Phair as being inaccurate and "very disappointing".
In a video posted to his public Facebook page last month, Mr Broadbent said he felt "uncomfortable" with the mass vaccination of Australians.
"Vaccination may give protection against the most severe cases of COVID but it doesn't stop you from getting COVID or passing it on.
“I know the pandemic frightens people but that should not stop us asking any question we want to ask — in fact, it should drive us to seek answers.”
Mr Broadbent also raised concerns about vaccine passports being enforced across Victoria.
"I'm concerned about the vaccine passports which will split this nation in two. If passports are imposed, just wait to see the effect on families, workplaces and neighbourhoods," he said.
Politicians 'set tone' for vaccine acceptance
Bairnsdale GP and president of the Rural Doctors Association of Victoria, Dr Rob Phair, said he was disappointed with Mr Broadbent's comments.
"It's not just a matter of personal choice because our personal choices affect other people," Dr Phair said.
"I think the time has passed for us to be arguing about vaccines.
"We know that they're effective and we're at a critical point now where we just need to get everyone vaccinated, we do not have time for these kinds of discussions.
"COVID is an extremely high risk to our community and it threatens to overwhelm … all aspects of our health system in coming months."
Dr Phair said Mr Broadbent's comments were "very disappointing".
"It's not the standard I expect of our elected officials," he said.
Mr Broadbent has been contacted for comment.
