A Supreme Court challenge to South Australia's COVID-19 vaccine mandates could be heard during the week of the state election.
Nurse and AFLW Adelaide Crows player Deni Varnhagen is among a group of four education and health workers seeking a judicial review of the mandates, which they claim are invalid.
The Supreme Court heard two police officers want to be added to the case, challenging the mandatory vaccination policy for SA Police.
The applicants are seeking an expedited hearing and have asked for a three-day trial during the week beginning March 14, which falls five days before the state election.
Lawyers for the state government said although they agreed the matter needed to be heard urgently, they may apply for an application to vacate that trial date depending on preparations and the ability to get its own expert witness.
A lawyer for the applicants also foreshadowed an application to have an auxiliary judge — either retired or from interstate — hear the trial due to any perceived bias arising out of the Courts Administration Authority imposing its own vaccination mandate.
Group to prevent 'evidence' against vaccines
The court heard the applicants would call Flinders University Professor Nikolai Petrovsky to give evidence about "technical matters relating to the vaccine".
The group's lawyer, Loretta Polson, said outside court that "compelling, scientific, medical evidence" would be presented "to demonstrate that vaccination does not prevent COVID-19 transmission".
She also questioned the power of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens — the state coordinator during the coronavirus pandemic — to impose mandates.
"We are amending the application to challenge a further mandate directed to police officers," Ms Polson said.
"Police officers are now being advised that they need to be vaccinated at the risk of losing their livelihood and careers.
Peer-reviewed studies have found vaccines do provide high levels of protection against severe disease and death from COVID-19.
The two police officers seeking to be added to the court action are Sergeant Adam Zachary Cook and Probationary Constable Rosalyn Smith, who are both currently furloughed.
The case will return to court on February 17 for a pre-trial hearing to update the court on procedural matters dealing with disclosure of documents and expert evidence.
