How mandatory jab rule will be enforced in venues

The team of officers will hit venues from Friday when fully vaccinated people will be allowed to once again enter retail and hospitality venues after a record sixth lockdown.The state government has confirmed audits may be conducted on the vaccination status of employees, via a business’s records. But it is understood neither individual employees or patrons will be asked to show vaccination documentation to the officers. Instead, the onus will remain with businesses to ensure only vaccinated patrons and employees are allowed in their venues.Authorised officers will monitor compliance, including that venues are collecting, recording and holding vaccination information.The operation is being co-led by the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR).Up to 100 teams of officers will be deployed at any one time with the power to issue infringement notices. Businesses busted flouting the rules can be fined up to $109,000 for serious non-compliance.Victoria Police confirmed it would not have an enforcement role as the new rules come in.A spokeswoman said the DJCS was the lead agency in relation to the vaccination passport program.“Victoria Police will assist at the request of the department,” she said. “However, if a public order response is required then Victoria Police will attend and investigate if necessary.”Major retail complexes and their security companies have recently been in high-level talks about how to manage their end of the vaccination issue.One of the concerns is that attention-seeking provocateurs bent on confrontation will come out of the woodwork.From Friday, unvaccinated people will be locked out of pubs, clubs, retail stores and major events including next year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix.The extended lockout comes despite NSW planning to dump vaccination passports from December 1.Premier Daniel Andrews this week categorically ruled out ending the unvaccinated economy if Victoria hit 90 per cent double doses.“I cannot put a day on it but it will not be when we reach 90 per cent,” he said. “It will not be anytime soon. That is going to function for a period of time, well into 2022.“I don’t think there will be crowds at the Grand Prix made up of people who have not been double-dosed.”“Please, don’t play that game of ‘Let’s just wait them out and then we will be able to do everything we want to do and not get jabbed’. That won’t be the case.”Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang slam­med the enforcement measures. “The fact that we have the government training up public servants to act as enforcement officers shows the lack of trust that it holds for its citizens,” he said.“Their solution is never about education, it is always about enforcement.“Given we have reached the 90 per cent first-dose rate as a community, it should be clear to the government that the community strongly endorses vaccination, yet instead of acknowledging this with respect and a thank you they are rewarded with yet more threats.“This may be a simple policy for larger venues with security on the door and are used to policing its own patrons, but where it becomes complex is in a busy family-run restaurant, cafe or retail outlet where it is possible a customer is missed on check-in with the business owners flat to the boards.”