Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Where do these questions come from? The opposition are repeatedly coming in here to try to twist commentary made elsewhere to suit their political agenda or, as we've seen today, raise anxiety in parents about their children if they contract COVID-19. Taking comments out of context is misleading, and raising concerns by spreading fear throughout the community is not worthy of those opposite.

It has been a very difficult week in this place. With minimal numbers in the building and here in the chamber, we've managed to ensure that the parliament of our great nation continues to function. Yet, once again, those opposite choose to come in here and rehash the same questions and the same themes, attacking the vaccine rollout and trying to belittle the Prime Minister for standing up for and committing to a policy that has been agreed to by national cabinet. The national cabinet's policy is not just the federal coalition's policy. It has been agreed by every state and territory leader across the country: Mark McGowan in Western Australia, Steven Marshall in South Australia, Gladys Berejiklian in New South Wales, Annastacia Palaszczuk in Queensland, Peter Gutwein in my home state of Tasmania, Daniel Andrews in Victoria, Michael Gunner in the Northern Territory and Andrew Barr here the ACT. They have all committed to this plan not just once but regularly over recent weeks during their national cabinet meetings.

The Australian people want their politicians to be held to account and to deliver the relaxed restrictions and greater freedoms they have been promised for when vaccination rates reach the agreed levels of 70 per cent and 80 per cent. That's why so many Australians are doing the right thing and turning out in record numbers to be vaccinated. While those opposite continue to spread lies and mistruths, our government is focused on getting on with the job and keeping Australians safe.

In relation to the vaccine rollout, it's exciting to see the more reluctant premiers finally engaged in the conversation and encouraging all Australians to be vaccinated. Just a few hours ago I heard Premier Andrews urging all Victorians to go out and get vaccinated so that their latest lockdown can end, highlighting the hundreds of thousands of appointments available across Victoria. It is good to see their vaccination numbers are increasing, with over 52 per cent of eligible residents in Victoria having received their first dose. Similarly, in New South Wales, where their rollout continues to gain speed and record vaccinations are being recorded daily, they now have over 61 per cent having had their first dose and 33 per cent having had both doses. That's a massive improvement, and it's great to see New South Wales residents coming forward in their droves to be vaccinated. Well done and thank you to each and every person who has come forward.

While the opposition continues to undermine this national rollout, our government continues to deliver record numbers of vaccinations daily, with over 307,000 recorded in the last 24 hours. In the course of the last seven days over 1.8 million doses have been delivered and 17.7 million doses have been delivered to date. In my home state of Tasmania, nearly 420,000 doses have been administered so far, with just under 57 per cent having had one dose and over 38 per cent fully vaccinated with their second dose. It is disappointing to note, however, that there are still two states where less than 50 per cent of their population aged over 16 have had their first dose. Perhaps not surprisingly they are Queensland, as highlighted by Senator Watt in his question to Senator Birmingham today, and Western Australia. At a federal level we are getting on with the job. The Australian government has secured more than 280 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, including 125 million Pfizer BioNTech vaccine doses. It is time those states that have been left behind also get on with the job of delivering the vaccinations available to them.

Furthermore, the ramped-up rollout is just the start. Not only will the vaccination of Australians help save lives; it will also help us to relax restrictions as we progress through the four stages of the national plan. Our government is taking a balanced approach to this plan, listening to the scientific and medical evidence and taking into consideration the economic advice and impact to set out a clear plan that will return Australia to some semblance of a normal lifestyle. By sticking to this plan, we will give hope and confidence to all Australians and give businesses the confidence to turn the lights back on and reopen and perhaps borrow from their banks to do so and employ more Australians. It will also give Australians confidence in relation to their health that the hospitals will be able to cope and doctors will be available to assist them should they contract COVID-19 even if vaccinated. In relation to the plan, and as you are— (Time expired)