Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

[by video link] It is a matter for SPC to speak for themselves, although I gather they have highlighted that within a food manufacturing workplace such as theirs, with a production line such as theirs—their staff work in close proximity to one another—there are issues they have worked through with their workforce. Engagement and consultation with their workforce is a matter for them, and the advice they seek and the analysis they undertake as to whether they meet the reasonableness test that applies to being able to put such a requirement in place is a matter for them. That's something that Australian businesses had available to them prior to COVID-19, with such reasonable health decisions being a part of workplace arrangements, and it's something that continues. Obviously there needs to be provisions to enable those who have genuine medical or other reasons not to be vaccinated, and I understand such businesses who are making these decisions are applying those arrangements.