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

Thank you, Senator McMahon, for your question. This week is a historic week for all Australians. We are now into day 3 of the mass vaccine rollout across the country. We are prioritising the most vulnerable in our society to receive the vaccine first. Aged-care residents, border and quarantine and frontline health workers are being offered the vaccine this week. Among the 240 facilities and 190 towns in regional and remote centres across the country to receive the vaccines this week, vaccinations are occurring in the Northern Territory—the Territory you are so proud to represent, Senator McMahon. And I can indicate that, as of this morning, 249 residents of aged-care facilities in the Northern Territory have received a vaccination. The Royal Darwin Hospital will also be working to vaccinate frontline healthcare workers. The most vulnerable are part of phase 1a of the vaccine rollout. Phase 1b will include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 55, adults aged over 70, other healthcare workers, younger adults with an underlying health condition, including those with a disability, and high-risk workers, including defence, police, fire and emergency services and meat processing workers. Phase 2a includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 to 54 years, adults aged 50 to 69 years and other critical high-risk workers. Phase 2b expands to the remainder of the population over the age of 16.