Ralph Babet (Victoria, United Australia Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. In recent weeks, we've seen the public release of COVID-19 vaccine contracts in South Africa, including the Pfizer contract, following a High Court of South Africa ruling. These contracts have revealed very liberal indemnity clauses, which we know from our own budget papers create an unquantifiable contingent liability. Section 5.5 of the contract between Pfizer and the South African government states:

Purchaser further acknowledges that the long-term effects and efficacy of the Vaccine are not currently known and that there may be adverse effects of the Vaccine that are not currently known.

Can the minister confirm if the Australian contracts have the same or similar words?