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

I have had conversations with Senator Rennick about the efficacy of vaccines on a number of occasions, because the data is very, very clear: the vaccines are safe and they work. It's that information that I put to Senator Rennick. I am firmly of the belief, because I look at the information every day and I read the data every day, that the vaccines are effective. The data demonstrates that.

An opposition senator interjecting—

That's exactly right, Senator; I look at the data every day, because it's important that we understand that is the case. It shows in the data in fact that last year, without a vaccine, seven per cent of cases in this country were in aged care, but this year, with the workforce vaccinated and the residents of aged care vaccinated, the number of cases that are in aged care is 0.7 per cent. That is 10 times less the number of people in aged care as a proportion of cases this year compared to last year. So the data is very clear.

Those are the points I put to Senator Rennick, because I want him to understand what I know from looking at the data. The vaccines we have for Australians are not only safe but effective. I will at every opportunity continue to repeat that message, not only for people like Senator Rennick, who has some questions, but for other Australians, to convince all Australians that they ought to take up the opportunity for a vaccine. Over 92 per cent of Australians have now had a first dose and approaching 87 per cent have had a second dose. That's a great result. I congratulate Australians for going out and getting vaccinated.