How long before NZTR take this Covid-19 action?

[Chief Stipe]

Racing Victoria to introduce compulsory vax policy

Racing participants in Victoria, including jockeys, will need to be vaccinated. Picture: Racing Photos

 

 

By Gilbert Gardiner
11:19pm • 14 September 2021

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Racing Victoria has made Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for all staff and participants, including trainers, jockeys, stable staff and stewards, from next month.

The condition of entry will apply to all Victorian racecourses and training centres, as well as RV headquarters at Flemington and offices.

Participants must be at least partially vaccinated by Caulfield Cup Day – October 16.

It comes as two thirds (67 per cent) of participants, who completed an industry survey last week, identified as fully or partially vaccinated.

A further 15 per cent said they intended to be vaccinated, while 10 per cent remained undecided.

Eight per cent signalled their initial desire not to be vaccinated.

RV received 1590 responses to the survey sent to 3436 participants.

The Australian Trainers‘ Association, Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA), the three metropolitan Clubs, Country Racing Victoria and RV media businesses were all consulted on the new policy.

All RV licensed participants and staff must be fully vaccinated by November 27, bar those with a lawful exemption.

Owners wishing to access the mounting yard will also be subject to the vaccination policy.

While other major sporting codes, including the AFL and NRL, heavily promote vaccination it is not yet compulsory for athletes, coaches and game day personnel.

 

Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson says a mandatory vaccination policy is the right decision. Picture: AAP

 

RV chief executive Giles Thompson on Tuesday thanked participants for their ongoing efforts and compliance of biosecurity protocols to help racing combat the pandemic the past 18 months.

“Unlike other sports, racing operates on a year-round daily basis with a highly mobile workforce, so it is therefore imperative we do our utmost to protect the health and safety of our workforce,” Thompson said.

“The advice from our chief medical officer and our risk assessment has determined mandatory Covid-19 vaccination is the right decision for the health and safety of our staff, participants and industry.”

RV will monitor vaccination supply and retain “some” flexibility should issues arise, particularly for the younger members of the workforce.

VJA executive officer Matt Hyland said: “The vast majority of our members are already vaccinated or are on the pathway to getting it done.

“They realise the importance vaccination plays for their health, their livelihoods and to get back to doing the things they love like travelling.”

ATA boss Andrew Nicholl said: “We understand there will be individuals who will be uncomfortable with today’s announcement.

“These individuals must also acknowledge that Racing Victoria has a responsibility to protect the racing community and racing product in this state.

“There is no doubt the circumstances that exist in Victoria …. are challenging for everyone … the ATA believes the mandate announced today by RV is a responsible action at this time.”

[Freda]

I can see a few staff shortages if this happens.    😠

[Chief Stipe]

It's not based on science or a health response but purely a response to Government policy driven by self-interest.  Basically - "To hell with the science or individual liberty we'll do whatever we need to do to keep racing!"

[Joe Bloggs]

Well, firstly the owners association should hit them with a suit and then the trainers, the jocks are too weak to do anything, and the TA are weak as piss as well, so, what happens next? Giles is the Oz equivalent of Bernard, so one lawyer should be enough, the Poms pulled the plug quick smart when they realised what was coming, the Vic's might not be that smart, Giles is a Pom that bolted so you'd think he'd have the smarts, but no apparently.......Oh well, we'll enjoy the gunfight from north of the border, let's see.

[curious]

Could be a fun scrap if they try it here.

[Huey]

For sure they will do it here.

[Freda]

1 hour ago, Joe Bloggs said:

Well, firstly the owners association should hit them with a suit and then the trainers, the jocks are too weak to do anything, and the TA are weak as piss as well, so, what happens next? Giles is the Oz equivalent of Bernard, so one lawyer should be enough, the Poms pulled the plug quick smart when they realised what was coming, the Vic's might not be that smart, Giles is a Pom that bolted so you'd think he'd have the smarts, but no apparently.......Oh well, we'll enjoy the gunfight from north of the border, let's see.

Be interesting,  J.B.

I have yet to see anyone -or any organization  - here who has the kahunas to front this issue.

I don't see that such enforcement can be mandatory all the same.

[Chief Stipe]

4 minutes ago, Freda said:

Be interesting,  J.B.

I have yet to see anyone -or any organization  - here who has the kahunas to front this issue.

I don't see that such enforcement can be mandatory all the same.

Maybe not in racing but some Employers are making mandates that you have to be vaccinated to work for them.  Two test cases in Court now.  Will be interesting to see the outcome.  Certainly there is little science to support the contention that fully vaccinated staff are safer than non-vaccinated.  

[Joe Bloggs]

I can't argue the case there Freda as I'm not au fait with the NZ constitution, here on the mainland however there is no way any court can uphold the mandatory dictate by employers or Gov for that matter as it's against our constitution and health and safety edicts also, any employer that pulls that trick is actually breaking the law....it's law, so WTF were they thinking, they are wasting everyones time and their money as costs would be awarded against them. Having said that RVL are full of like minded people as you have in Petone, so that in itself says a lot.

[Freda]

I seem to recall reading something posted - by Curious? - that indicated it was not possible to enforce existing staff [ in any situation ] to be vaccinated, but that it was acceptable to require some tasks to be undertaken by vaccinated persons.  

The requirement to be vaccinated may be part of a new job description, though, and I don't see how that is a problem.  Surely, any employer is entitled to have conditions upon who is, or isn't suitable?

[curious]

41 minutes ago, Freda said:

I seem to recall reading something posted - by Curious? - that indicated it was not possible to enforce existing staff [ in any situation ] to be vaccinated, but that it was acceptable to require some tasks to be undertaken by vaccinated persons.  

The requirement to be vaccinated may be part of a new job description, though, and I don't see how that is a problem.  Surely, any employer is entitled to have conditions upon who is, or isn't suitable?

From the HRC site

 

 

Can my employer require me to have a vaccine?

New Zealand's primary workplace health and safety regulator, Worksafe, has produced a guide to assess whether a specific role needs to be performed by a vaccinated worker. The guidance states:

Businesses and services can’t require an individual to be vaccinated. However, you can require a specific role be performed by a vaccinated person - if you have done a health and safety risk assessment to support this.

Pretty sure that would mean BOTH existing and new employment situations.

Edited September 15, 2021 by curious

[aquaman]

28 minutes ago, Freda said:

I seem to recall reading something posted - by Curious? - that indicated it was not possible to enforce existing staff [ in any situation ] to be vaccinated, but that it was acceptable to require some tasks to be undertaken by vaccinated persons.  

The requirement to be vaccinated may be part of a new job description, though, and I don't see how that is a problem.  Surely, any employer is entitled to have conditions upon who is, or isn't suitable?

No employer can force a medical procedure on an employee especially if the employee is perfectly healthy. The Bill of Rights would cover this, not to mention International Law surely. Heaps of cases such as this are happening in America as we speak. Only yesterday I watched an American Professor in Medicine suing the butts of a large University for forcing him out because of a vaccine mandate. He will win as will 1000's of other case's that are before courts as we speak. I think International law established pretty robust law at Nuremberg after the 2nd World War surrounding forcing people to take medical procedure's against their will. I also think under United Nations law its covered. In the USA their Constitution will have it covered, and when these cases get to the Supreme Court which no doubt some will, it will only go one way, and that is employers or Gov have no right to force medical procedures on perfectly healthy people.

[curious]

From the Privacy Commissioner:

Can my employer ask me if I have been vaccinated for Covid-19?

Yes, provided an employer can demonstrate that they have a legitimate need to know the vaccination status of their employees, they can ask their employees for this information. 

As is made clear in the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) guidance:

An employee does not have to tell their employer if they have been vaccinated or why they are unable or choose not to be vaccinated.

• If an employee does not tell their employer what their vaccination status is, the employer may assume the employee is unvaccinated, but should first advise them of this assumption.
• Employers cannot require an employee to be vaccinated. However, employers can require a specific role be performed by a vaccinated person where this is supported by their health and safety risk assessment.

Employers must protect personal information about vaccination status and cannot share it (including with other employees) unless an appropriate exception to Principle 11 of the Privacy Act applies (this will generally require an employee’s consent). One such exception is that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious threat to public health or public safety.

Find out more on this topic on the MBIE website.

[curious]

So, NZTR may ask employees as above but cannot require them to be vaccinated unless they are in a particular role that may warrant that requirement, say a health professional. I'm pretty sure that under current legislation they have no right to ask, let alone require that of licensees.

[Gospel of Judas]

NSW policy https://mdata.racingnsw.com.au/FreeFields/latest_news_full.aspx?ArticleId=61375

[aquaman]

Whilst on this subject lets get one thing clear. This vaccine is experimental. It is not to be compared with previous vaccines such as Flue shots, Polio, Measles, Whooping Cough etc. With these vaccines the long term effects are well known. This Covid vaccine is a whole new science  which enters the cellular level of the recipient's body. The long term effects are unknown, this is an undeniable fact. We do know that it effects young boys under 15 in their hearts, this information just coming out now. Don't be fooled by Politician's that use the mantra of follow the science, there isn't any yet, and the real effects of this vaccine will bare fruit in the coming years.

[Gospel of Judas]

Got my Covid jab, day later  fine. Bar feeling tried first day after that been good. Having had major disease before take chance with that. Than having go three years of hell. Up to you at the end of the day. But if want take a chance, go right ahead.

[Shad]

22 hours ago, Freda said:

I can see a few staff shortages if this happens.    😠

Or even a few less owners and horses, be a real shame to lose our human rights, but the way the world is heading it wouldn't surprise me, who knows what the effects the vaccine could present long term, certainly an individual's choice.

[Chief Stipe]

17 hours ago, aquaman said:

Whilst on this subject lets get one thing clear. This vaccine is experimental. It is not to be compared with previous vaccines such as Flue shots, Polio, Measles, Whooping Cough etc. With these vaccines the long term effects are well known. This Covid vaccine is a whole new science  which enters the cellular level of the recipient's body. The long term effects are unknown, this is an undeniable fact. We do know that it effects young boys under 15 in their hearts, this information just coming out now. Don't be fooled by Politician's that use the mantra of follow the science, there isn't any yet, and the real effects of this vaccine will bare fruit in the coming years.

I see the resident lurker has labelled this post Fake News.  We've all known he isn't a follower or understands science and data.

If you are over 30 and have underlying health issues then it would be advisable to get vaccinated.  However there is zero medium or long term efficacy and safety data for under 16 year olds.  As the UK JCVI stated the benefits of the vaccine only marginally outweigh the risks but without long term safety data they do not recommend vaccination of children.

[Joe Bloggs]

19 hours ago, aquaman said:

Whilst on this subject lets get one thing clear. This vaccine is experimental. It is not to be compared with previous vaccines such as Flue shots, Polio, Measles, Whooping Cough etc. With these vaccines the long term effects are well known. This Covid vaccine is a whole new science  which enters the cellular level of the recipient's body. The long term effects are unknown, this is an undeniable fact. We do know that it effects young boys under 15 in their hearts, this information just coming out now. Don't be fooled by Politician's that use the mantra of follow the science, there isn't any yet, and the real effects of this vaccine will bare fruit in the coming years.

A neighbour of ours is a young lass, a trainee nurse at The University Hosp, she wants a family one day, did her due diligence, decided not to be vaxed, took advice from a resident at the Hospital, her boyfriend too, he doesn't want to be firing blanks in a few years, she doesn't want be infertile........disputable, you betcha, probable maybe, possible, definitely.....Thalidimide is always in the back of the mind.

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

However there is zero medium or long term efficacy and safety data for under 16 year olds.  As the UK JCVI stated the benefits of the vaccine only marginally outweigh the risks but without long term safety data they do not recommend vaccination of children.

Sorry to quote my own post but this raises another question.  What is the minimum age limit to be a Stable Hand?

[curious]

33 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Sorry to quote my own post but this raises another question.  What is the minimum age limit to be a Stable Hand?

Don't think there is one for stable hands, though probationers require guardian consent if under 18.

Edited September 15, 2021 by curious

[curious]

1 minute ago, curious said:

oops

 

Edited September 15, 2021 by curious

[Chief Stipe]

The word on the street is that NZ Racing Administrations are canvassing licensees now but will still go down the same direction as OZ within a couple of weeks.

Expect great fanfare!!!  I guess if you are fighting a battle against the anti-racing mob then you need every bit of positive publicity you can get regardless of the science.