Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

In making reference to lifting the weekly rate of vaccination from 320,000 to now well over 700,000 a week, one of the decisions that was part of that was further enlisting the states in the support of vaccination and providing points of contact for aged-care workers. At this stage the AHPPC—the medical expert panel—have not recommended that aged-care worker vaccinations be made mandatory. They have not made that recommendation. They have not made it previously, and my advice is that it is unlikely to be made mandatory on their recommendation either. It is a matter that will be further considered by the national cabinet tomorrow. I think this is an important issue for us to consider.

I note that the Western Australian Premier, when they were faced with challenges in getting quarantine workers vaccinated, introduced public health orders to ensure that they could increase the rate of vaccination amongst quarantine workers. I think that was a good decision by the Western Australian Premier. Those opposite might find it puzzling that public health orders can play a role in increasing the rate of vaccination in essential occupations. That's certainly what happens in terms of flu vaccinations in relation to workers in aged care. I note that is not a mandatory requirement in Victoria, but what I simply say is there are many methods we can continue to employ to lift the level of vaccination in these occupations. We have increased the points of contact where they can have those vaccinations. We are doing that in partnership with the states and territories. But, once again, the Labor Party continues to undermine the national effort to get Australia vaccinated.

Opposition members interjecting—

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