A businessman has recalled the devastating moment he was forced to stand down his own son who refused to get the Covid-19 vaccine, describing it as the toughest day of his life.
Facelift for Homes managing director Peter Wishart says he had no other choice to sack general manager and son Daniel on Tuesday after the Victorian government mandated vaccinations for construction workers.
The industry has been shut down for two weeks with thousands of anti-vaxxers expected to descend on the streets of Melbourne for a third day of protests and clashes with police.
On the cusp of retirement, Mr Wishart still hopes he can reinstate his son whom he hopes will take over the family business as he blasted protestors.
Facelift for Homes managing director Peter Wishart (right) was forced to sack his son Daniel (left) on Tuesday
'It was the toughest day of my life yesterday having to come to work and do what I had to do yesterday to not only sack only my son but two other tradespeople that have chosen to not get vaccinated for various reasons and medical reasons as well,' Mr Wishart told the Today show.
'My son's obviously devastated, he's the future of my business.'
'I'll do whatever I do to make sure he takes the business over. I'm nearly retired, and he's my son and he will take over the business.
'I'll do what I need to do to make sure that not only him but my staff get protected and I will look after them.'
His son has worked in the industry for over 15 years.
Mr Wishart says the decision he was forced to make has had a taken a heavy toll on him and called for rules to be relaxed to give workers a choice.
Peter Wishart still hopes his son Daniel (pictured) will be able to take over the family business
'Unfortunately, the government has given us no other option,' he said.
'Give people a choice. I'm a shadow of my former self at the moment.'
'I'm really, really upset and to have that conversation yesterday to stand down, hopefully, in the future Dan Andrews and his government will take the mandate off.'
Mr Wishart called for calm with protestors expected to create more chaos on Melbourne streets for a third consecutive day.
'High-vis vests do not protect you against Covid. Masks and social distancing do,' he said.
'Guys, just behave yourselves. You're giving us a bad name. I'm a small business. We don't need this bad publicity. There is a lot of people out there haemorrhaging at the moment.'
Peter Wishart (pictured) called on the Victorian government to give construction workers a choice after standing down his own son
A businessman has sobbed on live radio as he admitted he was going to sack his own son for refusing to get vaccinated against Covid. (Pictured, a man is vaccinated in Sydney)
On Tuesday, Mr Wishart broke down while telling 3AW's Breakfast Show he was going into work today to tell his son he was axed.
