Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I was simply trying to make an explanation. To use an analogy from a children's animated movie which I've enjoyed with my children on many occasions, it's a pretty simple story, and it basically says this: that at some point, as a nation, all of us have to be clear that we have to move on and live with this virus. Like the young female character in that movie—she decided that she wanted to go and face the future and go out there and deal with the challenges in the world, and she brought her whole family with her. And there was a sequel to that movie, and that says something. There's a lesson in that—that is, when you embrace these things, when you prepare for the future, when you move forward. That is the encouragement that I'm giving Australians. That is the plan that we've set out.

Those opposite might not share my view, but I know that our national plan will give Australians the hope and confidence that will not only lift vaccination rates—because we need to see those vaccination rates lift in Queensland and Western Australia. We certainly need to see that. I'm sure the member would agree with me on that. We need to target those communities that aren't getting vaccinations as quickly as we're seeing in New South Wales and Tasmania and the ACT and the Northern Territory. And one of the reasons that the national plan is so important—and that we say to those who are getting vaccinated—is, when you get vaccinated, in phase B and phase C, you will have exemptions and you will be able to do things, as vaccinated persons, because you've taken the decision to ensure that you're less of a public health risk than others. The national plan, which I was explaining using that analogy, gives people that confidence. It gives them an incentive, which lifts vaccination rates and gets all Australians to where we want to be.

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