Scott Morrison is under pressure to discipline another government MP spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation about coronavirus.
Queensland LNP MP George Christensen, who has announced he will retire from federal politics at the next election, claims lockdowns and face masks do not work.
In a pre-Question Time rant, Mr Christensen accused sensationalist media elites and the dictatorial medical bureaucrats of spreading fear.
“Open society back up, restore our freedoms, end this madness,” the Dawson MP told parliament on Tuesday.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese moved a motion condemning the comments before launching a savage attack on the madness of conspiracy theorists.
“We will take the government seriously when the member for Dawson is expelled from the party,” Mr Albanese said.
He said the Liberal-National MP insulted frontline workers and breached his responsibilities as an MP not to promote conspiracy theories.
The prime minister gave an indirect rebuke to Mr Christensen but didn’t name the rogue MP during a 15-minute speech.
“My government doesn’t support misinformation in any shape or form,” he said.
Mr Morrison said he did not support such statements being made in parliament, posted on social media or being written in articles.
He pointed to the government’s track record of following medical advice throughout the pandemic.
Labor MP Mike Freelander, a doctor who represents a southwest Sydney electorate, likened the prime minister’s refusal to name Mr Christensen to a Harry Potter villain.
“Fifteen minutes and like Voldemort, he couldn’t even mention the member for Dawson’s name,” Dr Freelander said.
Mr Christensen has attended anti-lockdown rallies in his electorate and encouraged others to join him.
Earlier in the year, independent MP Craig Kelly left the Liberals to sit on the cross bench after controversy over his fervent promotion of unproven virus treatments.
Queensland government senators Matt Canavan and Gerard Rennick have been critical of lockdowns.
Mr Morrison insists heavy restrictions are crucial to stopping the highly contagious Delta variant of coronavirus which is spreading in his home city.
“I say to my fellow Sydneysiders, it’s important we stay home. It’s important we make this lockdown work. It’s important that we don’t give up on it,” he told reporters.
NSW reported 356 new local cases of coronavirus and four deaths on Tuesday.
There were 20 infections in Melbourne but it remains uncertain if lockdown will be extended beyond Thursday.
Mr Morrison warned the nation was in a tough fight against Delta as he thanked locked-down residents across Australia for their efforts.
“I want Australia to get to Christmas, but I want everybody around that table at Christmas time,” he said.
The government is also defending its decision to leave decisions around mandatory vaccinations up to employers.
Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox wants the government to outline clear advice for businesses or risk messy legal battles.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said some exemptions had been made through public health orders for aged care and quarantine staff.
But he pointed to workplace regulators’ guidelines to inform individual businesses about whether mandating vaccines was reasonable.
AAP
