Defence Minister Peter Dutton has suggested some state premiers are breaking a pact with the Australian people.

Some state leaders are enforcing harsh penalties for being unvaccinated against COVID-19, including lock outs from hospitality venues.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday urged leaders to take a step back and let Australians “have their lives back”.

Mr Dutton has echoed the comments today, speaking to Neil Breen.

Peter Dutton: “At the time of the agreement the premiers entered into, … they decided they weren’t going to mandate vaccinations.

“If you go for a voluntary program, you are going to have a small number of people who are unvaccinated.”

Neil Breen: “But shouldn’t it be an incentive, though?

“Why should others be able to freeload on those who’ve done the heavy lifting and gone and got vaccinated and been proactive?”

Peter Dutton: “[The premiers] formed a pact with the Australian public and they’ve agreed to that.”

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