Rebel MP George Christensen has announced he will stand down as the chairman of a parliamentary committee – a senior role which added $23,000 to his backbencher salary.
Just hours after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “discussing” whether the Nationals MP should continue to hold the lucrative position with Barnaby Joyce, Mr Christensen made the announcement he’d be quitting.
He has held the position of chair of the the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth since 2019 which netted him an extra $23,000 on top of his $211,250 taxpayer-funded salary.
In a Facebook post late on Wednesday, Mr Christensen said he would be advising the Speaker that he intended to stand down when parliament returns next month.
He said it was his own choice.
“(It) is a decision of my own making and not a demand or request from any third party,” he wrote.
Earlier at a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Morrison was asked whether Mr Christensen deserved to hold such a position considering his dangerous views on vaccination.
Mr Christensen has already confirmed he will not contest the next election.
“That’s a matter I’m discussing with the Deputy Prime Minister,” Mr Morrison said.
“Don’t listen to George Christensen. He’s not a doctor. He can’t tell you what to do with vaccines.”
Mr Joyce was also grilled about Mr Christensen’s views and confirmed he had spoken the Queenslander about his calls for parents not to vaccinate their children.
“I don't intend to go on a tirade about Mr Christensen because it serves no purpose,” he said.
“The only thing that serves a purpose, talk one-on-one. Because otherwise, you're pumping up your own balloon, and maybe not even helping the issue.”
Mr Joyce then suggested those calling for Mr Christensen to be removed from parliament could be committing a crime.
“As soon as what you say starts amounting to a threat of removal from office you‘re in dangerous territory,” he said.
“If you made a direct threat about removing them from office, that’s a crime. You can’t do it.”
Australian Medical Association vice president Dr Chris Moy has called on Mr Morrison to reign in the “nutty” behaviour of Mr Christensen and other colleagues.
“It is frustrating that this sort of nutty stuff which is essentially converted into some sort of cause to raise popularity really has a foothold,” he told the ABC.
“It’s driven by a particular type of advocate – unfortunately we are seeing some of them within the government.
“They really do need to shut up because they are not helping what we need to do and it is causing increasing anxiety. What they are saying is rubbish.”
“It has got to end. It has gone too far and unfortunately it will be looked back on as something that has undermined our ability to do the right thing and maintain confidence in key aspects of things such as the vaccination program.”
Chief Medical Office Paul Kelly urged Australians to listen to the advice of medical professionals.
“I don’t have a message for MPs. I have a message for the people of Australia and the parents of Australia,” he told ABC Radio.
“You should have the highest confidence in our system to provide safe, effective and high-quality vaccines for your children.”
Mr Morrison has faced accusations of double standards over anti-vaxxers within his ranks following the deportation of Novak Djokovic.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke cancelled the Serbian tennis star’s visa because he considered his presence in the country a health risk that could foster anti-vaccination sentiment.
