State Opposition Leader Chris Minns has accused the NSW government of pandering to the unvaccinated in delaying regional travel, all while promising a free-for-all come December 1.

Mr Minns lashed the Deputy Premier’s decision to “casually” announce the delay on-air with Ben Fordham, rather than under parliamentary scrutiny.

“Surely there should be consideration given to a region-by-region approach to this?” he told Ray Hadley.

“Murray River, Lachlan, Hay, Walgett, Dubbo, Warren and Orange already have double-dose vaccination rates above 80 per cent … what more can they do, Ray?”

The decision to unveil a date for freedoms for the unvaccinated has also hurt the rollout, he argued.

“The vaccine passport’s barely off the ground, and I feel like they’re just throwing their arm over when it comes to restrictions for unvaccinated Australians.”

Press PLAY below to hear the Opposition’s response in full

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Member for Barwon Roy Butler agreed the radio announcement was a “disgraceful” choice, backing the Labor leader’s call for a localised approach.

“Everything we’ve done through COVID has been based on LGAs,” he told Jim Wilson.

“[Yet] here we are with LGAs that do meet the 80 per cent double-dose, but we’re making them wait for other LGAs to catch up!”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview