Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

That's drawing a very long bow, by the member who asked that question. We all have an obligation to talk up the vaccination race, to talk up the fact that people should get that first jab. We all have an obligation. As the minister for health has said, with aged care, all 2,566 RACFs have received their first dose and 2,436 of the 2,566 Commonwealth RACFs have a second dose—that is, 94.9 per cent. We want everyone to receive a jab, but, some people in aged care for some reason may not wish to receive the vaccination. It may well be that they have dementia and those decisions are being taken by their families, as distressed and worried as they are, or there may be people in palliative care who may not wish to receive the vaccination.

Of course the workers are important too. The workers are important too. Certainly, we are making sure that the vaccinations are available, but let's not forget either that it is also state health public authorities—

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