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Racing on path to 'no vax, no entry'

Paul Tatnell
Paul Tatnell@PaulTatnell
 
6 September, 2021
 
Flemington mounting yard. Picture: Racing Photos
Picture: Racing Photos

Racing is heading towards a “no vaccination, no entry” for participants according to the Australian Trainers Association, who see it as a crucial step to protect the industry and its workforce.

ATA CEO Andrew Nicholl told Racing.com that the sport is “walking down the path” of locking out those who choose not to vaccinate, with discussions ongoing with Racing Victoria and key industry groups.

It follows strong rhetoric from the State Government on Sunday, with Premier Dan Andrews saying Victoria is heading towards a 'vaccine economy', where those who choose not to vaccinate will lose certain privileges.

The Melbourne Racing Club first floated the idea of a vaccinated only crowd for the Caulfield Cup and the Valley too pitched a similar idea for a vaccinated only crowd at this year’s Cox Plate.

Nicholl said the idea of racing having vaccination rules is “gathering momentum” and believes that the industry must “do whatever it can to protect racing and the 25,000 people” it employs.

The issue is discussed at weekly meetings with Racing Victoria and a number of stakeholders.

“The narrative is changing now given the dialogue out of the state government has evolved,” he said.

“The idea is starting to gather momentum. It’s a conversation at the moment, but it is gathering momentum.

“The concept is used overseas … and lots of industries are going down this path and I think the racing industry is walking down the same path too. I honestly do.

“I think it’s a strong push and I think it will continue to gather some momentum. Racing wants to protect its jewel in the crown, the Spring Carnival, and do whatever it can to protect racing and future proof it as well.

Nicholl said that racing must do whatever necessary to keep the industry thriving.

“I think [the vaccination concept] is a sensible approach to future proof the industry so we can carry on, it’s so important we keep the industry going, we employ 25,000 people … in Victoria and it’s crucial to these people that we do everything we can to ensure that they can continue to [work] and for the community that love the racing it’s important it continues too, it’s given something to people to watch, to have entertainment and have an outlet

“What we don’t want is to fall over in the most important time of year.

“So if this [mandatory vaccination] is the mechanism to do that, then this is something racing might well promote.”

Nicholl believes his members will support tough vaccine measures to ensure they can continue to operate.

“I think they will, these guys are self-employed, they live and die from racing functioning, so if the industry ceases to so does their revenue and they are suffering enough financial hardship as it is,” he said.

“Our message so far has been to support people getting vaccinated and to follow sensible health advice with a simple vaccination. It’s not the sledgehammer approach saying, hey get Pfizer or Astra Zeneca, just listen to experts and get vaccinated

“From our view, we’ve been moderate in our approach and we will take the lead from Racing Victoria.”

Racing.com has been told its increasingly likely that participants will have to be vaccinated in order to enter Racing Victoria licensed premises, with changes possible before the end of the year.

Supply issues and eligibility for young Victorians had initially meant that such rules were likely to be visited in 2022.

Nicholl wouldn’t be drawn on when such rules might be introduced.

Racing Victoria is currently leading a strong push for its participants and wider communities to get vaccinated, with a number of campaigns underway.

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11 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said:

Total stupidity and wankism.......I have a lawyer friend, he's a litigation expert who says this is a potential minefield.......there will be claims galore here, it will make the lawyers richer. 

Yes it is a bit dangerous of Australian Racing to force this in terms of future liability if vaccine long term safety issues emerge.

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We have a mask compulsion on racetrack property.   

I realise  that a mask doesn't present the same potential for future ill-health as a result of wearing one, but from a human rights perspective, similar.   There are those who say their rights are important too, in that they don't wish to run a greater risk of becoming infected by a non-mask wearer,  but there have already been a couple of incidents.

A trainer at Ashburton was remonstrated with by officials because of his non-compliance.   But I have a medical exemption, he protested, and showed them the documents.

Doesn't matter, he was told, these are the rules here, if you won't wear a mask, don't come to the races.

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19 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said:

And of course should they refuse as my lawyer mate says........I'll sue you.........restrction of trade for a starter, impinging on my human rights as a second, and discrimination on medical/religeous/other grounds........they've made this up on the back of a napkin.....it's happened before.

They will have to make it a condition of license renewal surely if they want any grounds to enforce it.

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6 minutes ago, Freda said:

A trainer at Ashburton was remonstrated with by officials because of his non-compliance.   But I have a medical exemption, he protested, and showed them the documents.

Doesn't matter, he was told, these are the rules here, if you won't wear a mask, don't come to the races.

I wish I had recorded my conversation with the bus driver who wasn't wearing a mask - he waved in my face a letter yelling at me "I'M EXEMPT, I'M EXEMPT, I'M EXEMPT!"

So much for following the science - with the Ashburton example the Trainer should have been told that he couldn't go indoors without wearing a mask.  That is the rule that everyone else has to adhere to.  I didn't realise that not only is Covid-19 more likely to come out after dark but it also goes to the races!!

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28 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said:

And of course should they refuse as my lawyer mate says........I'll sue you.........restrction of trade for a starter, impinging on my human rights as a second, and discrimination on medical/religeous/other grounds........they've made this up on the back of a napkin.....it's happened before.

Firstly, I think it is very brave of you to come out and say you have lawyers as friends.

Secondly, I think the Victorian idea is a good one. Perhaps they could designate one country track out in the bush somewhere where the unvaccinated lunatic fringe could hold their own little meetings.

Edited by Doomed
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5 minutes ago, Doomed said:

Secondly, I think the Victorian idea is a good one. Perhaps they could designate one country track out in the bush somewhere where the unvaccinated lunatic fringe could hold their own little meetings.

Hold up there.  Why are the unvaccinated a "lunatic fringe"?  Are you saying every child under the age of 12 is a lunatic?  Or that everyone who has had Covid-19 and recovered is a lunatic?

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20 minutes ago, Freda said:

We have a mask compulsion on racetrack property.   

I realise  that a mask doesn't present the same potential for future ill-health as a result of wearing one, but from a human rights perspective, similar.   There are those who say their rights are important too, in that they don't wish to run a greater risk of becoming infected by a non-mask wearer,  but there have already been a couple of incidents.

A trainer at Ashburton was remonstrated with by officials because of his non-compliance.   But I have a medical exemption, he protested, and showed them the documents.

Doesn't matter, he was told, these are the rules here, if you won't wear a mask, don't come to the races.

See, if that happened here he can sue.....your laws are different I believe.....sadly.

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11 minutes ago, Doomed said:

Firstly, I think it is very brave of you to come out and say you have lawyers as friends.

Secondly, I think the Victorian idea is a good one. Perhaps they could designate one country track out in the bush somewhere where the unvaccinated lunatic fringe could hold their own little meetings.

I bet you wont be saying that is a few years when your old fella falls off.

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This is the issue for me , nobody respects the others choice , i see people who choose to go with the Govt and medical advice getting called weak minded sheep , then those who choose to say no to vacc's and masks etc get called as in this case the lunatic fringe . People need to respect an individuals right to make a decision that is right for them , nothing wrong with disagreeing with what someone has decided but as is usual some people overstep the mark . If your vaccinated then what diff does it make to you if someone isn't , you are supposedly safe . And i'm not looking for a debate on whether someone will be safe , they have made a decision , respect it .

And whether you agree or disagree with getting vaccinated or not there are going to big implications for those that don't get vaccinated because throughout the world there are going to be restrictions placed on those that aren't vaccinated . 

I don't actually see the point to going that far , if i choose to get vaccinated then i would consider myself relatively safe so i shouldn't end up in a life threatening situation . Again not looking for a debate just my opinion .

But i can see restrictions being put in , why , because that's what people do .

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15 minutes ago, nomates said:

If your vaccinated then what diff does it make to you if someone isn't , you are supposedly safe .

Precisely.  My view is it is no one's business if I'm vaccinated or not just as I'm not interested in what others vaccination status is.  If you are vaccinated then it is irrelevant who is and who isn't vaccinated.

As many of you know my biggest concern is the vaccination of the young.  In my opinion the young have paid enough during this pandemic without them being forced to be vaccinated so we can attain a meaningless % vaccinated figure.

I ask the question why have the FDA not approved the vaccination of under 16 year olds (except under EUA)?  The same question is why are the Vaccine Advisory body in the UK not recommending the vaccination of under 16 year olds but the Government is?  That advisory board's opinion is that the benefit of vaccination of this cohort is not sufficient to override the risk of vaccinating them.

Take those two questions (similar questions) and then ask yourself what does the NZ Government and its Health Advisors know about the Pzifer vaccine that is different to the FDA/USA and the UK?  

Then ask what the hell does NZ or Australian racing administrators know that those authorities don't know?

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Was just talking to a Mental Health Emergency worker who as part of their job moitors ED admissions in case they think they need to be involved. They reported 2-3 admissions a day at the moment due to vaccination side effects at the hospital where they work. Mostly chest pain.

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2 hours ago, Joe Bloggs said:

Total stupidity and wankism.......I have a lawyer friend, he's a litigation expert who says this is a potential minefield.......there will be claims galore here, it will make the lawyers richer. 

Lawyers in Aussie doing quite well at moment. Especially if do Liquidation matters, friend of mine very busy currently.

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15 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Precisely.  My view is it is no one's business if I'm vaccinated or not just as I'm not interested in what others vaccination status is.  If you are vaccinated then it is irrelevant who is and who isn't vaccinated.

As many of you know my biggest concern is the vaccination of the young.  In my opinion the young have paid enough during this pandemic without them being forced to be vaccinated so we can attain a meaningless % vaccinated figure.

I ask the question why have the FDA not approved the vaccination of under 16 year olds (except under EUA)?  The same question is why are the Vaccine Advisory body in the UK not recommending the vaccination of under 16 year olds but the Government is?  That advisory board's opinion is that the benefit of vaccination of this cohort is not sufficient to override the risk of vaccinating them.

Take those two questions (similar questions) and then ask yourself what does the NZ Government and its Health Advisors know about the Pzifer vaccine that is different to the FDA/USA and the UK?  

Then ask what the hell does NZ or Australian racing administrators know that those authorities don't know?

This is your concern as far as your own children , but if others feel they want their children vaccinated then so be it , their children are their responsibility . No ones right to tell them otherwise .

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7 minutes ago, nomates said:

This is your concern as far as your own children , but if others feel they want their children vaccinated then so be it , their children are their responsibility . No ones right to tell them otherwise .

My concern is that parents don't have enough information to make an informed decision.  If two major advisory bodies in the USA and the UK are not yet recommending vaccination then parents should know that and know what information the NZ Government has that other countries don't have.

Also parents should be informed that for children aged 12 to 16 they don't need parental consent to be vaccinated?

Given the paucity of information for parents do you think 12 to 16 year olds would be any better informed?

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What ever happened to freedom of choice, seems every one being bullied into the vaccine, many medical experts have spoken out against it, only to be shut down, everyone should be treated equally, wether your are for or against it, a lot of interesting articles out there for all to read, and make up their own mind.

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11 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

My concern is that parents don't have enough information to make an informed decision.  If two major advisory bodies in the USA and the UK are not yet recommending vaccination then parents should know that and know what information the NZ Government has that other countries don't have.

Also parents should be informed that for children aged 12 to 16 they don't need parental consent to be vaccinated?

Given the paucity of information for parents do you think 12 to 16 year olds would be any better informed?

It's a big debate , this is one topic . But in my experience in life i have found a large portion of parents didn't/don't have enough information/education around contraception to make an informed decision around having sex which led to kids which led to the them not having had enough information/education to make an informed decision/s on how children are entitled/should be raised in a first world country , but many aren't .

My wife works with school children every day , hands on , some of the stuff she see's and hears is just heart breaking , that children in NZ in this day and age are living like some are just beggers belief .

Getting vaccinated for these kids is the least of their problems .

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