Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Brockman for his question. On indulgence, Mr President, I acknowledge the bushfire emergency in the Perth Hills in Senator Brockman's home state of Western Australia. I advise the Senate that there are two aged-care facilities in the area that have activated their emergency management plans and are on standby to evacuate as a last resort, should that need eventuate, and there are a couple of others that are preparing. I acknowledge the staff, who have been working around the clock to make sure that the residents of those facilities are kept safe and comfortable.

The vaccination of Australians against COVID-19 will commence later this month. We are working to ensure an orderly rollout to priority groups which is safe, effective and well explained. Our rollout strategy will be one of the largest logistics exercises ever seen in Australia. Our government is investing $6.3 billion, with almost $1.9 billion for medical bodies, logistics companies, general practices and community pharmacies to roll out and administer the vaccine. We expect there will be thousands of sites that will support the rollout, ensuring that Australians can access a vaccine regardless of where they live.

Australia's world-class primary health workforce will be the cornerstone of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout across the nation. The health workforce, including doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and many other allied health professionals, has continually risen to the challenges of COVID-19 over the past year. It will play a pivotal role in supporting the rollout of a vaccine to all Australians.