Truck drivers will quit because of Queensland’s mandatory vaccination rule

##MP##

A Far North Queensland transport company says it’s likely to lose a fifth of its drivers through the Queensland Government’s introduction of mandated COVID-19 vaccinations.

All truck divers entering Queensland from another state must have at least one dose by October 15 and have their second dose – or a booking – by 15 November.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the move comes after several drivers recently entered the state while infectious.

##BA##

“Regular testing has meant cases have been picked up quickly,” she said.

“But due to the nature of their work, we know that many freight workers and truck drivers are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.”

Les Blennerhassett is the owner of Blenners Transport, which has 160 trucks in its fleet and is vital to getting Far North Queensland bananas, mangos, avocados, citrus and more to markets in southern states.

He told Tropic Now he already has trucks sitting idle due to similar mandates already flagged in Western Australia and South Australia.

“We’ve got ten big rigs parked up because drivers are refusing to get the vaccine and won’t go across the border,” he said.

“We’re going to be in trouble for the next few weeks.”

##PQ##

Mr Blennerhassett predicts freight companies across the board will be experiencing similar vaccination hesitancy, which will slow the delivery of goods.

“Every transport company’s in the same boat,” Mr Blennerhassett said.

“We’re going to be short of gear in and out of Queensland.

“We’re not short of trucks but they’re parked up and not working and we’ve only got a certain percentage of drivers.”

A dedicated pop-up vaccination clinic will be established near the Queensland-New South Wales border to make it easier for truckies to get their jabs.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey has recognised the impact extra regulations have already had on drivers.

“The freight industry has continued to step up to meet the additional requirements that have been asked of them since the pandemic began, and we know we’re asking more of them again to help us stop Delta from coming to Queensland,” he said.

“We have been working with industry to get the balance of these new regulations right, so I thank them for their efforts and ongoing support through these challenging times.

“Our big rig COVID-19 testing clinics at Boondall and Goondiwindi have worked really well so adding a pop-up vaccination clinic for truckies further strengthens our health response.

“I encourage all drivers to take advantage of this and get vaccinated.”

Queensland today recorded four community COVID-19 cases, including an infectious truck driver and an aviation worker.