John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For over 100 days we have waited for today, through lockdown, isolation, missed anniversaries, endless Zoom meetings, confusion, chaos and this eternal virus. We are finally at the day we have been looking forward to for so many months: New South Wales has hit 80 per cent double vaccination. People across Bennelong can today do all the things we have been waiting to do for so long: family reunions, weddings, parties, community sport, playing tennis and even standing up to have a drink are all back on the cards. Life is returning to normal, and the sense of relief can be seen everywhere.

What's even more exciting is that the first dose is now well above 90 per cent, so in the coming weeks we will hit that level of double dose and be able to go about our lives in confidence that the worst days of the pandemic are behind us. Our next milestone, 1 November, is when we will be able to again travel around New South Wales and around the world. It's fantastic to see the new Premier and my state counterpart in Epping, Dominic Perrottet, opening our borders. I hope soon the federal government can similarly allow more than just Australians back into our country. Bennelong is one of the most multicultural electorates, and many locals have been separated from their families and friends for too long.

Thank you to everybody who has rolled up their sleeves and to every health worker who gave us our jabs. We are clearly in the fifth set now, leading two breaks and serving very well.