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

I will respond by making reference to Professor Peter Collignon, an infectious diseases expert, who has said this about the Leader of the Opposition's plan: 'This is a bad idea'.

This is a bad idea. He's joined by so many, including the Journal of the American Medical Association, which said:

Financial incentives are likely to discourage vaccination (particularly among those most concerned about adverse effects); instead, contingent nonfinancial incentives are the desired approach.

Unlike the opposition leader, I have confidence in the Australian people. The Leader of the Opposition's proposal is a vote of no confidence and an insult to Australians, suggesting they won't get vaccinated unless you dole out the cash!

That is an insult. That is an insult to every Australian. Those 80 per cent of older Australians who've turned up and rolled up their sleeves—they didn't need the cash. They just needed to know that it was good for them, it was good for their family, it was good for their community and it was good for their country. We know that, under Labor, you and your money are easily parted. That is the fiscal record of the Labor Party. We know that this plan is a bubble without a thought, which is what we have become used to from this Leader of the Opposition—bubbles without thoughts. He hasn't bothered to speak to General Frewen or to seek a meeting with General Frewen. He cancelled his meeting even yesterday.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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