Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

GALLAGHER (—) (): I thank Senator Roberts for his questio I was there, I think, at both of those hearings with Professor Skerritt, who has since retired from that role. I'll take this opportunity to acknowledge his contribution, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of the TGA.

On the substantive part of your question, Senator Roberts, I will go back. Obviously I wasn't in the position I'm in now when those comments were made about what was done with the phase 1 and phase 2 trials and the data that was available. My understanding of the TGA process is that they don't necessarily look at just one set of data; they are looking at a whole range of data as they're making approvals for particular vaccines. I will come back if I have anything further to add on that.

I would also say that it's very clear that the rollout of the vaccination program has saved lives and, particularly for those who are vulnerable to COVID-19, it has reduced the chance that they would pass away or have very severe disease from COVID-19. That data is well and truly established and evidence based, and you can see that in the hospitalisation data and other data that's been collected about the impact of the vaccination program. The vaccine program has been very successful, and we're very fortunate to have been in a position to have all been vaccinated against this virus over the last couple of years.