The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students within Victorian universities. All students should have a right to an education, whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

La Trobe University has announced they will now require all students attending on-campus classes or university-led activities to be vaccinated.

An email sent by the Vice Chancellor of La Trobe University, dated 20 September 2021, additionally stated that staff and students who remain unvaccinated by choice may not be able to have special arrangements made for them which may lead to them compromising their ability to fulfil their respective obligations for work or study. As a result of this email, students will require a vaccine in order to pursue any studies with on-campus obligations.

A vaccine cannot determine whether university students can continue with their course, bachelor’s, honours, master’s or PhD degrees. If students choose not to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, then their education should not be affected. Students are either beginning, halfway through, or close to completing their courses and fear losing their right to an education. University students should not feel threatened by the forces of the Labor Government to take the vaccine in order to continue and complete their studies.

Students stand in large numbers and believe it is within their rights to receive an education that is accepting of everyone. All students have a right to an education regardless of their vaccination status and need their voices to be heard. 

The petitioners, therefore, request that the Legislative Council, local MP's, and Minister of Education call on the Government to exempt university students from mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations as all students have a right to an education regardless of their vaccination status.

We stand against discrimination and reserve the right to access the education we have paid for.