Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Morrison has provided exceptional leadership throughout the pandemic, from the moment on 1 February last year when the decision was made to close our international borders and to start that process—a decision that, perhaps, more than anything else, kept COVID out of this country and provided the time and capacity for Australia to save 30,000-plus lives and to be able to roll out a vaccine program that has now penetrated and reached a far greater proportion of Australians than nearly any other country on this planet. It was a huge accomplishment to see that occur.

The Prime Minister led, in relation to questions of mandatory vaccination, when it came to protecting our most vulnerable, those in the aged-care sector. The Prime Minister also led in saying we need to be able to reopen. He took a scientifically endorsed plan to national cabinet, outlining a road map to get the states and territories to see that path to reopening as well. It's been leadership to keep Australians safe and to protect Australian jobs but also to make sure we can successfully and safely reopen. (Time expired)