Boisterous Queensland MP Bob Katter has been denied entry to a NSW pub for failing to provide proof of vaccination status.
The Federal Member for Kennedy was refused entry to the Tamworth Hotel after a group he was with was asked by officers to move along.
Officers from Oxley Police District were called to Tamworth Railway station around 3pm on Sunday, to reports a group of people were drinking in an alcohol-free zone. Katter himself was not drinking.
Police told the group to leave the area, and Katter and his posse attempted to enter the Hotel.
Although Katter has been double-vaccinated, he was unable to provide his double COVID-19 vaccination status.
He blamed the problem on the fact he does not have a smartphone, or even know about the Service NSW app.
The MP told Tamworth Hotel staff to call Parliament House or his minders to verify his vaccination status.
To this the Hotel employee reportedly replied simply “Out”, which Katter described as “Very abrupt”.
Despite being double-vaccinated, the high-profile Queenslander has been opposed in the past to government COVID-19 trackers on mobile devices, and has recently spoken at rallies in his home state denouncing the vaccine mandate.
He has previously said he would vote to block Federal Government legislation that did not make a stand against vaccination mandates by states.
“This is un-Australian. We have a right to associate and assemble,” Katter said of his entry refusal.
“I warn the government to be prepared” – for dissent in Queensland over forced vaccination.
NSW Police confirmed they will not be taking any further action against individuals at Tamworth station.
NSW Health details that people without smartphones may print out their digital certificate or immunisation history statement and carry it on them in lieu of using the Service NSW app.
And Queensland Health issued a statement in response to the MP’s comments, citing that the vaccines have undergone a rigorous review process by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).
“We can’t make this any clearer: Vaccines. Save. Lives.”
