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

That's why those measures are so important, but they are assisted by the vaccine program, to ensure that New South Wales, in particular, can move through this current lockdown as quickly as it possibly can. But it must be effective, and that's why we have acted to ensure more vaccines, whether it be in New South Wales, in Victoria or in Queensland. We've been able to work with each of those state and territory governments to provide hundreds of thousands of brought-forward vaccines to support those states that have been dealing with those challenges.

But that's backed up by the economic supports. Through the COVID disaster assistance payment, almost $2 billion—indeed by now it would be above $2 billion—has been provided in direct economic supports to Australians who have lost hours in work because of these most recent lockdowns. That is to almost one million Australians directly impacted. That support has been directly provided. And we continue to work with the states and territories, who are delivering their business supports, and we are meeting those costs with them in those programs fifty-fifty, shoulder to shoulder with the state and territory governments. Seventy and 80 per cent targets for vaccination double dose in this country are achievable. We are taking big steps towards that each and every day, and I thank Australians. (Time expired)

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