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

I can't agree with the statement that you make as a question, Senator Roberts, at all, through you, President. The Australian government undertook a comprehensive assessment of each and every vaccine that is being used in this country to ensure Australians had the confidence that we had safe and efficacious vaccines for utilisation in the pandemic, and I think the results speak for themselves.

If you look at the circumstances in respect of what's occurred in aged care this year compared to last year, the impact is profound. It is very clear that we took all steps to ensure that the vaccines that are being used in this country were safe and that they worked. We took evidence and advice, yes, from the companies. We received the data that they used in their trials, appropriately, but we also had the advantage of being able to use data from other jurisdictions around the world, and we've remained in close contact with those agencies that consider vaccines, to ensure that they are safe to use.

I say to all Australians who are still contemplating whether or not they should get a vaccine: please be assured that our public health system and our authorities—the Therapeutic Goods Administration, recognised as one of the best in the world—have done—

Yes, Senator Reynolds—amazing work, to ensure that Australians who want a vaccine and anyone living in this country who wants a vaccine have access to a safe and efficacious vaccine. (Time expired)