A Melbourne business owner says he will have to lay off his own son after the state government made COVID-19 vaccinations compulsory at construction sites.

Peter Wishart said on Tuesday he was “devastated” at having to dismiss three employees – including his son – from the family window and door replacement firm Facelift For Homes because they chose not to be vaccinated.

Mr Wishart, 65, has had both vaccination doses but said he respected other people’s right to choose whether to get the jab. The firm’s seven other employees are all vaccinated.

The Cheltenham business owner told Radio 3AW: “I’ve never cried so much in my life.”

Mr Wishart told The Age the government’s move had disrupted his retirement plans. He recently appointed his son – who did not want to be identified – as the company’s general manager and supervisor.

“Over the next two or three years I was going to gradually step back and hand over the reins to him,” Mr Wishart said. “If my son chooses – and I give him his right to choose – not to get vaccinated, it means that he … really can’t take over the business.

“I’m devastated at what I’m going to have to do because of what the government mandate.”

Mr Wishart said his son believed the vaccines were not tried and proven.

“He’s decided that until things are proven, he doesn’t want to get vaccinated and I’ve given him the right to do so. I’ve tried to convince him otherwise, but he said, ‘No, I choose not to be vaccinated.’ ”

The nation’s medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, has approved the COVID-19 vaccines for use in Australia in the same way it approves all vaccines.

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