Ged Kearney (Cooper, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. Yesterday the aged-care minister said:

Every aged care worker who wants access to a vaccine right now has access to a vaccine right now.

It is the government saying to all those aged-care workers who haven't yet been vaccinated, 'It's your fault'?

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to 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—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Acting Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is on relevance. The question was solely about aged-care workers and about whose responsibility it is. I remind the Acting Prime Minister that aged care is a federal responsibility.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. Certainly the question was specifically about aged care workers, and I call the Acting Prime Minister and ask him to be relevant to the question.

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

And we are looking after those workers as well. We are working with state authorities. We are working through the process to get everybody vaccinated. I urge and encourage all Australians to get that jab and get that second jab. It's so important.