Amanda Stoker (Queensland, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I table responses to two questions taken on notice during question time on 25 February and 26 August 2021 asked by Senators Watt and O'Neill, relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. I seek leave to have the documents incorporated into Hansard.

Leave granted.

The documents read as follows—

INCORRECT VACCINE DOSAGE—LETTER FROM THE MINISTER FOR SENIOR AUSTRALIANS AND AGED CARE SERVICES

Dear Mr President

I write with regard to a question from Senator Watt during Senate Question Time, Thursday 25 February 2021, of which I undertook to provide further information on the matter of a Queensland general practitioner administering an incorrect vaccine dosage. I apologise for the delay in responding.

I can advise that the medical officer who administered an incorrect dose in Queensland on 23 February 2021 was engaged by HealthCare Australia (HCA). The contracted provider is responsible for ensuring that all employed vaccinators have the required qualifications, which is part of the contractual agreement. The Department may conduct audits relevant to performance through the contractor's obligations under the contract.

Vaccine workforce providers engaged by the Department of Health to administer the COVID-19 vaccine are contractually obligated to:

a) ensure that each individual who will administer the vaccine has completed the training provided by Australian College of Nursing Limited;

b) provide evidence of completion of such training to the Department prior to the individual administering the vaccine to any person;

c) ensure that its personnel administer, store and otherwise handle the vaccine in accordance with the training and the specifications relating to the vaccine.

I have copied this letter to the Minister for Health and Aged Care, and Senator Watt.

Yours sincerely

Richard Colbeck

IMPACT ON CHILDREN—LETTER FROM THE MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Dear Mr President

Please find enclosed a response to a question asked by Senator Deborah O'Neill, taken on notice during Question Time on 26 August 2021.

Yours sincerely

Linda Reynolds

ANSWER TO QUESTION ON NOTICE

Senator Deborah O'Neill asked the Minister representing the Minister for Education and Youth, Senator Reynolds at Question Time on Thursday, 26 August 2021:

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education and Youth, Senator Reynolds. Reports suggest that around 30 percent ofCovid-19 cases in NSW and 40 per cent of cases in Victoria are in those 19 and younger. How many children have contracted Covid-19 in NSW and how many in Victoria during the current delta outbreak?

As of last week, 40 per cent ofCOVID-19 cases in western New South Wales were in First Nations children. How many First Nations children have contracted COVID-19 in the current delta outbreaks in New South Wales, and how many in Victoria?

Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC-The answer to the Senator's question is as follows:

Table 1: Locally acquired ^ COVID-19 cases among children (<20 years), I January 2020 to 7 September 2021

Source: National Interoperable Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, extracted 8 September 2021

* Represents the number of cases reported as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

^ Includes interstate locally acquired cases