WA’s Health Minister Roger Cook says a decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for around 75 per cent of WA’s workforce was based on health advice and the need to drive up rates.

As it stands, 73 per cent of over 12’s in WA have had their first jab, while only 55 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Mark McGowan made the sweeping announcement on Wednesday, with a majority of WA’s workforce to be introduced to vaccine mandates in a phased approach.

Why some occupations, such a members of parliament or hairdressers and beauticians, would only be subject to mandatory vaccinations in the event of a lockdown, the minister said it was about the public health risk and difficult legal and constitutional issues.

“Both Premier and I have said we would have preferred to have a public health order of the parliament,” he told Mark Gibson on 6PR Breakfast.

“It’s just mixed up with difficult legal and constitutional issues.”

He added that hairdressers and salons would be closed in the event of an outbreak.

“We couldn’t make out a case in relation to hairdressing and beauticians form the perspective of a public health risk, or an essential service,” he said.

“The Chief Health Officer has to make a decision based upon the proportionality.”

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