Warren Entsch (Leichhardt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise this afternoon to pay tribute to the amazing health professionals who are getting on with the job of ensuring that those living in Cape York communities are receiving their COVID-19 vaccines. So far, residents living in Bamaga, Coen, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Aurukun, Pormpuraaw and Weipa have had access to their first Pfizer dose. Over the coming weeks, residents in Napranum, Mapoon, Cooktown, Lakeland, Laura, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal will also receive access to their first dose. It's great to see community leaders such as Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Robbie Sands and Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Wayne Butcher roll up their sleeves and lead by example. This type of leadership has sent a strong and positive message to the residents living in their respective communities. I'll also say I was a little jealous when I saw the wallaby stew on offer for lunch on the day at Kowanyama vaccine hub!

The news is also great across the Torres Strait, with more than 70 per cent of our residents now having been vaccinated. While there may be some who, as always, take delight in criticising the rollout, Far North Queenslanders have rolled up their sleeves in record numbers. Once again I'd like to thank the health and medical professionals, particularly those administering the vaccine in Cape York and the Torres Strait, for the wonderful work that they're doing on a daily basis.

I'd also like to just call out those in the Cairns region. I believe we've just hit just over 50 per cent vaccinated—

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The honourable member for Bruce.