Central Land Council staff and councillors have been paid $500 each to get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

The Central Land Council (CLC) represents Indigenous people in the southern half of the Northern Territory. Due to its extensive work in widespread vulnerable communities, its CEO Les Turner says it is imperative that workers and councillors do not put locals at risk. 

So, they have all been offered a $500 cash incentive to get vaccinated against COVID-19. After just over a month of offering the payments, the CLC is now past halfway to full vaccination of staff and councillors. 

The Central Land Council has almost 250 full-time staff, and each one can receive the $500 for getting jabbed (even if their vaccination occurred before the incentive was announced) or for proving they cannot have the vaccine because of “health reasons”.

Reports say other Central Australian organisations have offered petrol and food vouchers to staff who are vaccinated.