Rogue MP Craig Kelly Lets Anti-Vax Protestors Into Parliament House
A group of protestors railing against Covid-19 vaccine mandates have been let into Parliament House by United Australia Party (UAP) MP Craig Kelly.
Kelly has been a vocal opponent of vaccines, and signed some of the protestors into the building as his visitors.
7NEWS journalist Jennifer Bechwati reported Kelly was trying to score a meeting with the Prime Minister and the protestors, but the PM is reportedly not responding.
UAP Leader @CraigKellyMP hosts a delegation of the 'anti-mandate' protestors in his office. He's trying to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister - but Scott Morrison is not responding.
- Jennifer Bechwati (@jenbechwati) February 8, 2022
Mr Kelly tells #7NEWS the PM "has clear constitutional power to end these mandates today" pic.twitter.com/5KAKVVxKn7
Kelly told 7NEWS Prime Minister Scott Morrison 'has clear constitutional power to end these mandates today'.
Liberal Senator Gerard Rennick was also among the protestors.
Rennick has also been vocal in his opposition to vaccines and, according to 7NEWS, said he's working to make sure children are not vaccinated against the virus.
Over 92% of Australians aged over 12 have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, and 42% of the eligible population over 12 have had a booster shot.
For those aged five to 11, over 45% have been given their first dose.
Kelly drew the ire of Australians last year when he sent unsolicited text messages to large swathes of the population.
A group, calling themselves Cock Block Craig Kelly, then raised over $7,000 in a bid to send a bag of dicks to the MP.
At the time, Kelly said he was 'absolutely not' sorry, noting that the practice of political parties and politicians contacting citizens in this way was perfectly legal.
Politicians, political parties, government bodies and charities can contact you as much as they like.
While commercial outfits are required to have your permission to contact you first - as well as offer the ability to opt-out - the same rules don't apply to politicians.
Marketing expert Andrew Hughes from the Australian National University told the ABC this wasn't a loophole, but rather something that had happened by design.
Kelly claimed it only took a 'microsecond' to get rid of unwanted messages, but did indicate he'd back a Bill to stop unsolicited political texts.
Topics: covid-19 vaccine, News, Craig Kelly, Australia
Vivienne Kelly