Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services) Share this | Hansard source

[by video link] Thanks, Senator McAllister, for the question. I agree with Senator McAllister that ensuring that Australians have access to updated information with respect to vaccines and elements of how they might protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic through utilisation of the vaccine is extremely important. I would agree with her that it's a very important thing to do. That information has, in fact, been updated. But, can I say, it should have been updated sooner; it should not have taken eight weeks. The Department of Health understands the perspective of the ministers in the portfolio with respect to that information.

We don't only rely on the Department of Health website for the engagement with CALD communities. This is a very important part of ensuring people understand what's available to them with respect to getting a vaccine. In that context, the 'Arm yourself' TV commercial has been translated into a number of languages and has been running since 1 August. There are 20 languages covered in videos of multicultural health professionals and religious and community leaders from Sydney on the importance of staying home, getting tested and getting vaccinated—specifically for the greater Sydney region. There is an established CALD communication working group, which was set up at the start of the pandemic. It's chaired by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, and meets regularly, providing advice both to the Department of Health and back out to communities. So communication is extremely important, and this information should have been updated sooner.