Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I outright reject the quote that was put to me. Mr Morrison outright rejects it, and the government outright rejects it. We are very clear that vaccines do offer the best possible way for individuals to protect themselves, their loved ones and the communities in which they live and work. That's a message we've delivered consistently to Australians, and it has driven and achieved one of the highest vaccination rates in the world: a vaccination rate that is above the OECD average and above those of many nations that suffered from COVID-19 far more than Australia has to date. It's our approach that has saved more than 30,000 lives. It's an approach that has delivered this high rate of vaccination. It's an approach that sees us as one of the most protected countries in the world now, having had such high rates of vaccination and being one of the first to have a nationwide booster program. (Time expired)