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

At the request of Senator Antic, I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, by no later than 9.30 am on Monday, 29 September 2025, all documentation created during the period from February 2021 to date evidencing the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) adherence to, and implementation of, the TGA's 'COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring Plan' (the plan) including but not limited to:

(a) documents evidencing the TGA's implementation of the plan's stated aims and key objectives being:

(i) timely collection and management of reports of COVID-19 vaccine adverse events following immunisation,

(ii) timely detection and investigation of COVID-19 vaccine safety signals,

(iii) timely action to address any COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns,

(iv) timely communications to inform the public of emerging COVID-19 vaccine safety information and to support public confidence in vaccines, and

(v) close collaboration and coordination of effort with other vaccine safety stakeholder groups;

(b) documents evidencing the TGA's implementation of the plan's five key strategies including the TGA's implementation of each of the strategies, objectives and outputs referenced in the key strategies of the plan as follows:

(i) enhanced reporting of adverse events following immunisation,

(ii) enhanced safety signal detection and investigation,

(iii) actions in response to safety concerns,

(iv) communications, and

(v) collaborations; and

(c) any revisions of the plan.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government does not support this motion from Senator Antic. It's another trawling expedition from an anti-vaccination senator. In this case, it seeks documents stretching back to February 2021. It's an unacceptable diversion of departmental resources. The period stretches back to the Morrison government and the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program started by that government, which has continued under the Albanese government. Vaccination is the single most important step each of us can take to minimise the risk of severe disease and death associated with COVID-19 infection. Long-term data and real-world experience continue to confirm both the safety and the efficacy of vaccines for the prevention of severe disease, hospitalisations and death from COVID-19. The TGA closely monitors the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and has well-established and robust systems in place to capture reports of suspected adverse events.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 128, standing in the name of Senator Antic and moved by Senator Askew, be agreed to.