Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

As we come to the end of two weeks in this place, while so much of our country is in lockdown, including here in the ACT from later today, those on the other side continue to repeat the same questions and the same attacks every day. Senator Hughes's description of groundhog day couldn't be more appropriate. While they continue to spread lies and mistruths, our government is focused on getting on with the job of keeping Australians safe. While the opposition continues to undermine the rollout, we are getting on with that job and delivering record amounts of over 250,000 shots a day.

In the last seven days over 1.4 million doses have been delivered; over 14.2 million doses have been delivered to date. In fact, since we arrived here in Canberra for this sitting period last week, over 190,000 doses have been delivered. We are getting on with the job. No-one is saying that there haven't been problems along the way, but it has now been turned around, and we are now back on track. Our numbers are comparable with the world's best rates of vaccination. With one million Pfizer doses arriving weekly, a plentiful supply of AstraZeneca and now Moderna approved for use in Australia, it will be great to see the weekly doses increasing over coming weeks. Twenty five million doses of Moderna have been secured, with the first million doses arriving next month. It is a safe, practical vaccine.

I would like to acknowledge the hardworking frontline staff who are administering these vaccines. My sister is one of those. They are all working long hours, often under extreme pressure. They, along with all the other health professionals who have been at the forefront of the COVID outbreaks across the country, deserve our thanks. Their commitment to saving Australian lives, putting others before themselves, in what is often a thankless task, is incredible.

The ramped-up rollout is just the start. Not only will the vaccination of Australians help save lives; it will also help us to relax restrictions as we progress through the four stages of the national plan. The current phase obviously is accelerating the vaccination rates and keeping lockdowns short and sharp if possible. The transition phase, when we get to 70 per cent, will see low-level restrictions and hopefully fewer lockdowns. By the time we get to the consolidation phase, with 80 per cent of adults vaccinated, hopefully we will only have targeted lockdowns—that's the plan—leading into the final phase, where we can open international borders with no lockdowns and boosters being regularly provided if needed.

As evidenced by the Doherty modelling, now that we've protected our more vulnerable elderly Australians it's possible to shift our focus to younger Australians. They now have access to more options in regard to vaccinations. It is wonderful to see young Australians turning up across the country to get vaccinated.

Tasmania, my home state, is leading the way in vaccinations. We reached the milestone of 50 per cent vaccination last week. As part of Premier Gutwein's four-point Delta Shield plan announced yesterday, they will be boosting vaccination rates over the next weeks to achieve 60 per cent by September. That plan also includes increased fines; tighter border controls; strengthened testing, tracking and tracing; and a support package for businesses impacted by interstate lockdowns. They too are getting on with the job.

I'd like to turn my attention now to earlier this year, when here in this place we debated legislation in relation to freedom of speech, particularly in the context of academic freedom of speech. I defend every single person's right to freedom of speech, particularly those of us elected to parliament to represent all Australians. Universities must be places that protect free speech even when things being said may be unpopular or challenging. The idea of academic freedom is vital to the continued development of our education. Our universities are critical institutions where ideas are developed, debated and challenged. So is our parliament.

As we debated here earlier today, there are vastly differing views about coronavirus, the development of COVID-19 vaccines, the resulting impacts of the virus on border closures, restrictions around events and even how to wash our hands properly. Of course, some of the public debate around COVID we will agree with and, as discussed earlier today, some we wouldn't, but that is the very nature of free speech. We're all entitled to our opinion, but there's a line when it puts at risk public safety.

I defend everyone's individual right to decide if they will be vaccinated or not. However, anyone who chooses not to should also respect the right of those who do and not vilify or harass those who do. I am fully vaccinated. Coming to that decision I considered all the commentary in the public arena; however, the overriding decision came down to wanting to protect my family, my community and myself from an insidious, life-threatening illness.