'I'll get this sorted': Scott Morrison leaps to the defence of pub that was banned from giving patrons a free beer as a reward for getting Covid jab
Scott Morrison has defended a Melbourne pub offering free beers to vaccinated patrons, saying a health body's decision to ban the incentive was 'a bit heavy-handed'.
The Prince Alfred hotel in Port Melbourne is located directly across the road from the Port Melbourne Town Hall vaccination clinic.
The hotel was offering those who had been vaccinated to come across and enjoy a free drink on the house, hoping to do their bit to encourage Australians to roll up their sleeves and get jabbed.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration contacted the bar on Wednesday to inform it they could not offer such a promotion, leading the Prime Minister to say the government are working to 'get it sorted' with 150,000 jabs being given weekly.
'Cheers to the PA (Prince Alfred),' she said to Sunrise on Friday morning.
'They might want to be careful, there might not be enough kegs to back that one up.'
Prince Alfred Hotel co-owner Tom Streater offered patrons a free beverage if they show a blue vaccination card, encouraging people to get their coronavirus shots
Morrison said while the TGA were doing their jobs, he saw the lighter side of the scheme and thought it was a creative idea.
'The TGA is doing a good job, the rules are there for important reasons,' he told Sunrise.
'It is a sensible rule, but in these circumstances, the national interest is to get vaccinated, so the Prince Alfred down in Melbourne, good on you for getting behind it.'
One of the pub's owners, Tom Streater, said he hoped higher vaccine rates would lead to less chance of more lockdowns, which have already decimated the Melbourne hospitality industry.
Morrison said while the TGA were doing their jobs, he saw the lighter side of the scheme and thought it was a creative idea
Similar schemes have been very successful in the United States, where people have been offered beer, freebies and even lottery tickets to encourage them to get vaccinated.
The Prince Alfred hotel said thirsty patrons could simply show their blue vaccination card to redeem a free drink, but the Therapeutic Goods Administration soon stepped in to stop the scheme.
'Seriously, it's right across the road from us. And all the stuff happening across the other states right now is a painful reminder of how badly lockdown affects our pub business and our pub community,' the pub had written on social media.
'Present your little blue card at the bar after your jab and we'll give you a pint, a wine, a rum and Coke, pretty much whatever you want. And prolly a hug too if we were allowed.'
While the hotel in Port Melbourne was attempting to encourage people to get their vaccines, the Therapeutic Goods Administration stepped in, as incentives for alcohol are banned
Hotel co-owner Tom Streater told the Herald Sun he was contacted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration with the news alcoholic incentives were banned.
'I reckon about an extra 500 people in Port Melbourne got vaccinated this week because of us,' Mr Streater said.
'Take-up was maybe only 50 but when I looked across the road, more than half the people in the queue were our regular customers.
'I'd like to think our little effort made them more aware of the pop-up clinic.'
A spokesperson for the administration said that alcoholic incentives are not allowed because of the 'potential for it to cause harm'.
While the incentive has been stopped, it was not short of supporters as Facebook users showed their support.
One user wrote: 'Well done guys - the more of us vaccinated the better'.
While another added: 'Fantastic initiative Prince Alfred Hotel… every jab keeps Dan away'.