Why aren't all Government employees mandated to be vaccinated?
M.R.M. made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health
The request was refused by Ministry of Health.
From: M.R.M.
Dear Ministry of Health,
I believe in leading by example and want to know why all Government employees are not mandated to be vaccinated against Covid-19?
Every time I watch politicians in Parliament I see them not wearing masks and in the closed space environment of the debating chamber where there are no windows to let in fresh air; only air conditioners circulating dirty/old air. There is no requirement - apparently - for any of them to show proof of vaccination either, and, if one of them were to be asymptomatic and shedding at the time this could potentially infect a large number of those present.
MP's in communities also work in face-to-face roles with their constituents. They too could be asymptomatic and shedding when doing their jobs.
Then there are local Government workers - e.g. city councils - who again often work in face-to-face roles with their customers (e.g. ratepayers).
Please provide as much information on the abovementioned subject as possible in your reply.
Yours faithfully,
M.R.M.
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora,
Thank you for your Official Information Act (the Act) request. This is
an automatic reply to let you know we received it.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. We
will endeavour to acknowledge your request as soon as possible. Further
information about COVID-19 can be found on our
website: [1]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
In accordance with the Act, we'll let you know our decision within no more
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Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
[4]Ministry of Health information releases
[5]Unite against COVID-19
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References
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1. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
2. http://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&a...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
5. https://covid19.govt.nz/
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora MRM,
Thank you for your query regarding the COVID-19 Health Order and members
of Parliament (MPs).
There is no blanket exemption for MPs for not getting the COVID vaccine,
nor are they currently mandated by any health order. As you have been
advised, while the Act allows New Zealanders to ask for information from
Ministers and government agencies, there is no requirement for agencies to
prove an opinion.
While MPs as parliamentarians are not subject to the Official Information
Act 1982, you may want to write directly to your MP for further
information. All their contact details are available
at: [1]https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involve...
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [2][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
[3]Ministry of Health information releases
[4]Unite against COVID-19
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From: M.R.M. <[FOI #17457 email]>
Sent: Friday, 5 November 2021 14:57
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Why aren't all Government
employees mandated to be vaccinated?
Dear Ministry of Health,
I believe in leading by example and want to know why all Government
employees are not mandated to be vaccinated against Covid-19?
Every time I watch politicians in Parliament I see them not wearing masks
and in the closed space environment of the debating chamber where there
are no windows to let in fresh air; only air conditioners circulating
dirty/old air. There is no requirement - apparently - for any of them to
show proof of vaccination either, and, if one of them were to be
asymptomatic and shedding at the time this could potentially infect a
large number of those present.
MP's in communities also work in face-to-face roles with their
constituents. They too could be asymptomatic and shedding when doing
their jobs.
Then there are local Government workers - e.g. city councils - who again
often work in face-to-face roles with their customers (e.g. ratepayers).
Please provide as much information on the abovementioned subject as
possible in your reply.
Yours faithfully,
M.R.M.
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References
Visible links
1. https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involve...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
4. https://covid19.govt.nz/
5. https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
6. https://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=15517&...
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From: M.R.M.
Dear OIA Requests,
I am clarifying my original request with the following OIA requests:-
1. Has the Government at any time considered or planned to mandate all Government workers in New Zealand to be Covid-19 double-vaccinated?
2. Has the P.M. and all members of parliament been double-vaccinated? If not, why not? And, if this information has not been collected, why not?
Yours sincerely,
M.R.M.
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora,
Thank you for your request for official information received on 5 November
2021 for:
“1. Has the Government at any time considered or planned to mandate all
Government workers in New Zealand to be Covid-19 double-vaccinated?
2. Has the P.M. and all members of parliament been double-vaccinated? If
not, why not? And, if this information has not been collected, why not?”
Your request asks for information which is more closely connected with the
functions of the Minister for COVID-19 Response, Hon Chris Hipkins. For
this reason, the Ministry of Health has decided to transfer your request
to the Office of Hon Chris Hipkins under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act. You
can expect a response from his office in due course.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman
to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [1][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Ngâ mihi,
Nick Allan
Manager
OIA Services Team
[2]Ministry of Health information releases
[3]Unite against COVID-19
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Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
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References
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1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
3. https://covid19.govt.nz/
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From: C Hipkins (MIN)
Kia Ora,
Please find attached letter from Hon Chris Hipkins in response to your
email of 9 November 2021.
Kind regards,
Office of Hon Chris Hipkins
Minister for COVID-19 Response | Minister of Education | Minister of the
Public Service | Leader of the House
Parliament Buildings, Private Bag 18041, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
From: OIA Requests [[1]mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Tuesday, 9 November 2021 3:26 PM
To: M.R.M. <[2][FOI #17457 email]>
Subject: Your request for official information (ref: H202115657)
Kia ora,
Thank you for your request for official information received on 5 November
2021 for:
“1. Has the Government at any time considered or planned to mandate all
Government workers in New Zealand to be Covid-19 double-vaccinated?
2. Has the P.M. and all members of parliament been double-vaccinated? If
not, why not? And, if this information has not been collected, why not?”
Your request asks for information which is more closely connected with the
functions of the Minister for COVID-19 Response, Hon Chris Hipkins. For
this reason, the Ministry of Health has decided to transfer your request
to the Office of Hon Chris Hipkins under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act. You
can expect a response from his office in due course.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman
to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [3][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Ngâ mihi,
Nick Allan
Manager
OIA Services Team
[4]Ministry of Health information releases
[5]Unite against COVID-19
****************************************************************************
Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
attachments may contain information that is IN-CONFIDENCE and subject to
legal privilege.
If you are not the intended recipient, do not read, use, disseminate,
distribute or copy this message or attachments.
If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately and delete this message.
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References
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1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[FOI #17457 email]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.govt.nz/about-ministr...
5. https://covid19.govt.nz/
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