Jim Wilson has taken aim at reports areas such as Sydney’s northern beaches will be lifted from lockdown earlier than the hardest hit LGAs, despite a stark divide in their vaccination rates.

Hotspot LGAs in Western Sydney are racing ahead, with 85.7 per cent of Blacktown first-dose vaccinated, 81.7 per cent in Parramatta and 76.7 percent in Canterbury-Bankstown.

Meanwhile LGAs such as Waverley, Randwick and the City of Sydney have 71 per cent, 67.4 per cent and 60.8 per cent vaccination rates respectively.

“The stats are clear … these LGAs are leading the pack,” Jim said.

“We cannot leave them behind.”

Press PLAY below to hear the statistics

Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres told Jim Wilson it is “important that we do move as a city”, and denied the government is divided on the matter.

“I think it’s important though that we do recognise that there may be some settings that we have to continue, to mitigate risk.

“I’ve said time and time again, we’re not discriminating against people, or geography, or culture; we’re discriminating against an insidious virus.

“It’s an undeniable reality that more people are infected in those 12 local government areas of concern than … anywhere else.”

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

Image: Getty