Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Government Services) Share this | Hansard source

Again I thank Senator Hughes. I note her comments in the chamber yesterday on this very subject, which is close to her heart. Australia's experience in the COVID-19 pandemic has varied significantly to the rest of the world, including the United Kingdom, which Senator Hughes asked about. I find it almost unbelievably irresponsible to unnecessarily alarm Australians with disabilities and those who love them with alarmist and totally and utterly irrelevant assumptions and international comparisons.

The facts matter in this, and they matter a great deal. Those opposite are fond of quoting the UK statistics, so let's have a look at the facts. To date the UK has reported 6½ million COVID infections while Australia, with 40 per cent of the population, has less than 50,000. In the UK 132 of these cases have been amongst those with disability, and in Australia it is 250 cases. Again, using alarmist information from overseas is irresponsible. (Time expired)