Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Morrison government has acted swiftly, first and foremost to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Australians in our communities by implementing a vaccination program as we set about rebuilding our national economy by restoring jobs, promoting confidence and, eventually, re-engaging with the rest of the world. As at midnight on 1 August, a total of 12,393,893 doses of the vaccine had been administered, with 76,166 Australians being vaccinated in a single day. In terms of aged care, residents in all 2,566 Commonwealth residential aged-care facilities have received their first and second doses. Similarly, in the disability sector, 16,700 of the 27,236 NDIS participants in residential accommodation have received at least one dose. This represents 61.3 per cent of residents. And 79.11 per cent of Australians aged over 70 years are protected with a first dose, whilst 41.98 per cent have received a second dose. More than 65 per cent of Australians aged over 50 are protected with a first dose, and 26.67 per cent have received a second dose. More than four in 10 Australians in the population aged over 16 are protected with a first dose, whilst 19.23 per cent have received a second dose. The rollout is ramping up significantly. It took 45 days to reach the first million doses but only six days to achieve the last million doses. Vaccine hesitancy remains a concern, as a great deal of misinformation is circulating within the community and on social media. Whilst not a hundred per cent effective against the virus, it is true to say that vaccination is the most effective tool that we currently have scientifically and medically to control the virus and manage the pandemic. Complications caused by adverse reactions to the vaccine are statistically minimal and do not justify hesitancy in becoming vaccinated, as the benefits, arguably, far outweigh the risks.

Another risk that the federal government is committed to mitigating for the Australian people is quarantining international arrivals. Current quarantine measures include hotel quarantine and have been agreed to by national cabinet, with the Prime Minister and state premiers around the table in agreement. A total of 409,095 Australians have returned through existing hotel quarantine facilities, with 4,187 COVID-positive cases identified during quarantine. Managed quarantine has been Australia's first line of defence against COVID-19. The Northern Territory's Howard Springs quarantine facility has been expanded to accept 2,000 returned Australians a fortnight—up from 850—at a cost of approximately $500 million.

The federal government has supported state governments to construct purpose-built quarantine facilities around the country. In my home state of Western Australia, a thousand-bed facility is being built on a site near Jandakot Airport. The facility, which it is estimated will cost up to $400 million to build, can be operational by next year. Careful consideration was given to selecting the site for a facility of suitable size, with access to an international airport taking regularly scheduled, international commercial passenger flights, in close proximity to a major hospital. The Morrison government is committed to providing this protection for all Australians. In the face of the pandemic, our government, through the vaccine program and quarantine measures, has kept Australians safe and the Australian economy strong.

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