The Greens say Minister Robert’s latest release on the DobSeeker hotline confirms that it is just more Government funded intimidation of people on income support.
This attempt to once again demonise people looking for work is despicable. There are 1.14 million people looking for work and the Minister is making a big deal of a few hundred calls that are still being ‘investigated’. This demonising has to stop.
The mutual obligations system is a vicious cycle of intimidation and paper pushing.
Every month businesses have to deal with 17 million job applications, despite there being just 243,500 jobs available.
Come July that will go up to 23 million per month when people on JobSeeker have to apply for 20 jobs per month.
At the end of the day Minister Robert needs to take responsibility for his Government’s policies and the impact it has. People lose their only income if you don’t put in 15 job applications per month.
It’s because of the Government’s rules that businesses are having to deal with so many applications, but of course Mr Robert is just going to use it as an opportunity to attack people on income support.
Month: June 2021
Transition to Practice program to attract and prepare nurses in aged care
The Australian Government is helping nurses receive the extra training they need to care for older Australians.
The University of Wollongong (UOW), the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) are being funded to establish Aged Care Transition to Practice (ACTTP) programs to attract and retain up to 740 new nurses to aged care.
The programs will guide new nurses in their first year of clinical practice through mentorship, professional development and specialist clinical training.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the aged care workforce was at the heart of quality care and supporting the growing workforce was a Government priority.
“This program is designed to directly support and provide guidance for newly-graduated nurses to join this expanding sector,” Minister Hunt said.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said it was just the beginning of once-in-a-generation changes to aged care in Australia, with a particular focus on workforce.
“It will allow graduates to see the benefit and contribution they can make to the lives of senior Australians, and ultimately choose aged care nursing as a rewarding career of choice,” Minister Colbeck said.
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Adjunct Professor (Practice) Alison McMillan, said the training component would include infection prevention and control, nutrition, falls prevention and wound care, which will be critical for ensuring safe and high quality care for senior Australians.
“Transition to practice programs are common in other parts of the health sector, and their introduction to aged care will go a long way to boosting the sector,” Prof. McMillan said.
“Many graduates don’t realise aged care provides nurses with opportunities for rapid development and career advancement compared to other clinical settings.
“The critical mentorship component of this program will ensure graduate nurses see these opportunities for growth and make aged care nursing a career of choice.”
The ACTTP program was announced in the 2020-21 Budget and received a $1.1 million funding boost in this year’s historic aged care allocations in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s recommendations.
The successful organisations, UOW, ACN and ACSA, will start work immediately, with all programs underway from July 2021.
Historic Australian Federal Police operation keeping Australians safe
More than 220 members of accused mafia, outlaw motorcycle gangs and transnational serious organised criminals have been arrested for serious drug and weapon offences under an historic Australian Federal Police-led operation.
Keeping Australians safe is the Morrison Government’s top priority and that’s why we have been giving law enforcement agencies the legislation, tools and resourcing needed to target transnational and serious organised crime syndicates trafficking and distributing illicit drugs across our country.
Operation Ironside has so far led to the arrest of 224 offenders on 526 charges in every mainland Australian state. More arrests are expected domestically under a coordinated global response.
3.7 tonnes of drugs, 104 firearms and weapons, and almost $45 million have been seized under Operation Ironside since 2018.
As part of the global operation more than 9,000 officers from law enforcement have deployed to the international effort, with more than 4,500 members from the AFP and state and territory police helping to execute hundreds of warrants across Australia since yesterday.
Operation Ironside began almost three years ago and is the Australian component of a long-term, international, covert investigation. The FBI and AFP targeted a dedicated encrypted platform used exclusively by organised crime.
The AFP provided the highly-skilled, technical staff and capability to decrypt and read encrypted communication in real time, giving law enforcement an edge it had never had.
The FBI had access to a new platform named AN0M and began running it without the knowledge of the criminal underworld.
The Federal Government congratulates the AFP for their dedication to keeping Australia safe and acknowledges the state and territory agencies for their support of Operation Ironside.
This is as a warning to organised crime in Australia, and abroad – the AFP and Australia’s law enforcement agencies have a laser-like focus in bringing them to justice.
The Morrison Government has resourced the AFP with more than $1 billion for a seven year plan to help them tackle the risks our community faces from organised crime, criminals and terrorists.
The Government has also introduced a number of bills to bolster Australian agencies’ fight against organised crime. This includes the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020; the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (International Production Orders) Bill 2020 and the Transport Security Amendment (Serious Crime) Bill 2020.
Australia thanks the FBI for its cooperation, along with the 18 countries that worked with the AFP through a EUROPOL Operational Task Force to maintain the integrity of AN0M.
New Richmond bridge and bypass to cut traffic and create jobs
A new Richmond bridge and bypass will now become a reality, cutting travel time and creating jobs, following an additional $250 million investment from the Morrison and Berejiklian governments.
The new two lane bridge across the Hawkesbury River will also include a bypass of Richmond and North Richmond, creating an estimated 850 direct and indirect jobs.
The funding boost includes $200 million from the Commonwealth and $50 million in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget, and brings the total joint commitment to $500 million.
The preferred route will involve a bypass of North Richmond connecting to a new two-lane bridge north of the existing bridge. A new roadway will bypass Richmond to the south, connecting from Old Kurrajong Road to the Driftway.
The community has now been invited to give feedback on the proposed route, supporting road alignments, community impacts, and potential revitalisation of the Richmond and North Richmond town centres.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Commonwealth’s $400 million commitment to the project would help improve road safety and reduce travel times in the area, and support the future growth of Western Sydney.
“This major investment demonstrates our commitment to the Western Sydney economy, its residents, workers and businesses by busting congestion, improving safety and creating jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This critical infrastructure will alleviate the long-term bottleneck between Richmond and North Richmond created from the existing Richmond Bridge operating at capacity during peak hour, helping make the commute to and from work significantly easier.
“Our record infrastructure funding right across Australia is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia’s COVID recovery.”
Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian said the Commonwealth and NSW governments have a strong record of working together to deliver crucial road infrastructure right across the state, like this project at Richmond.
“The NSW Government is continuing to invest in major road infrastructure projects because we know improving our road network makes a real difference to people’s lives, while also providing much needed local jobs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The new bridge is proposed to be built 500 metres downstream from the current Richmond Bridge, which currently funnels more than 31,000 vehicles each day directly through the already busy Richmond and North Richmond town centres.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said this was one of the many congestion busting projects being delivered by the Morrison Government as part of its $110 billion 10-year infrastructure pipeline to help commuters get home sooner and safer.
“This additional funding commitment for this critical infrastructure project follows robust consultation with the local community to ensure that the project delivers the greatest travel time savings, has no direct impact to heritage listed properties and has less impact on endangered ecological communities – which were all recurring themes out of the consultation process,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Once completed, the bridge duplication and bypass will cut travel time for drivers by up to 12 minutes, boosting productivity and busting congestion for commuters.”
New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this year’s Budget will continue the NSW Government’s investment in vital road upgrades to keep people safe while also supporting our state’s economic growth.
“We know every dollar spent on these upgrades at Richmond and North Richmond will make a big difference to drivers in this area every day and at the same time will provide much needed jobs during our economic recovery from the pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said.
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the preferred option includes upgrading six intersections, existing roads and building new road sections, as well as funding active transport.
“The new bridge will provide a new connection for road users between Bells Line of Road and the main road network, while the existing Richmond Bridge will continue to provide a vital link between Richmond and North Richmond,” Mr Constance said.
“Recent intersection upgrades at Kurrajong and Old Kurrajong roads and Grose Vale and Bells Line of Road are already improving traffic in the area, alongside current works at the intersection of March and Bosworth streets.”
Face-to-face community information sessions will be held on Wednesday 16 June from 5pm to 7pmand on Saturday 19 June from 10am to 12pm at the North Richmond Community Centre.
An online information session will also be held on Monday 28 June from 4pm to 5pm on the NSW Roads Facebook page at facebook.com/NSWRoads.
Community consultation closes on Monday 5 July, with all feedback to be considered by Transport for NSW. For more information, visit nswroads.work/richmond-bridge.
The new two lane bridge across the Hawkesbury River will also include a bypass of Richmond and North Richmond, creating an estimated 850 direct and indirect jobs.
The funding boost includes $200 million from the Commonwealth and $50 million in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget, and brings the total joint commitment to $500 million.
The preferred route will involve a bypass of North Richmond connecting to a new two-lane bridge north of the existing bridge. A new roadway will bypass Richmond to the south, connecting from Old Kurrajong Road to the Driftway.
The community has now been invited to give feedback on the proposed route, supporting road alignments, community impacts, and potential revitalisation of the Richmond and North Richmond town centres.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Commonwealth’s $400 million commitment to the project would help improve road safety and reduce travel times in the area, and support the future growth of Western Sydney.
“This major investment demonstrates our commitment to the Western Sydney economy, its residents, workers and businesses by busting congestion, improving safety and creating jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This critical infrastructure will alleviate the long-term bottleneck between Richmond and North Richmond created from the existing Richmond Bridge operating at capacity during peak hour, helping make the commute to and from work significantly easier.
“Our record infrastructure funding right across Australia is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia’s COVID recovery.”
Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian said the Commonwealth and NSW governments have a strong record of working together to deliver crucial road infrastructure right across the state, like this project at Richmond.
“The NSW Government is continuing to invest in major road infrastructure projects because we know improving our road network makes a real difference to people’s lives, while also providing much needed local jobs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The new bridge is proposed to be built 500 metres downstream from the current Richmond Bridge, which currently funnels more than 31,000 vehicles each day directly through the already busy Richmond and North Richmond town centres.”
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said this was one of the many congestion busting projects being delivered by the Morrison Government as part of its $110 billion 10-year infrastructure pipeline to help commuters get home sooner and safer.
“This additional funding commitment for this critical infrastructure project follows robust consultation with the local community to ensure that the project delivers the greatest travel time savings, has no direct impact to heritage listed properties and has less impact on endangered ecological communities – which were all recurring themes out of the consultation process,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Once completed, the bridge duplication and bypass will cut travel time for drivers by up to 12 minutes, boosting productivity and busting congestion for commuters.”
New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this year’s Budget will continue the NSW Government’s investment in vital road upgrades to keep people safe while also supporting our state’s economic growth.
“We know every dollar spent on these upgrades at Richmond and North Richmond will make a big difference to drivers in this area every day and at the same time will provide much needed jobs during our economic recovery from the pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said.
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the preferred option includes upgrading six intersections, existing roads and building new road sections, as well as funding active transport.
“The new bridge will provide a new connection for road users between Bells Line of Road and the main road network, while the existing Richmond Bridge will continue to provide a vital link between Richmond and North Richmond,” Mr Constance said.
“Recent intersection upgrades at Kurrajong and Old Kurrajong roads and Grose Vale and Bells Line of Road are already improving traffic in the area, alongside current works at the intersection of March and Bosworth streets.”
Face-to-face community information sessions will be held on Wednesday 16 June from 5pm to 7pmand on Saturday 19 June from 10am to 12pm at the North Richmond Community Centre.
An online information session will also be held on Monday 28 June from 4pm to 5pm on the NSW Roads Facebook page at facebook.com/NSWRoads.
Community consultation closes on Monday 5 July, with all feedback to be considered by Transport for NSW. For more information, visit nswroads.work/richmond-bridge.
Mentoring program gives rise to more tourism experiences in Newcastle
Sourdough making classes, quirky art workshops and sight-seeing bike rides with a twist will be served up to tourists as part of a push to expand Newcastle’s tourism experiences.
Fifteen Newcastle businesses have been supported by City of Newcastle to develop and promote new products and experiences to a wider market under its Product Mentoring Development Program.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said increasing the number of bespoke bookable experiences in Newcastle is one of the priority initiatives under the City’s Destination Management Plan.
“Consultation with industry and experts during the development of our Destination Management Plan identified that Newcastle was lacking bookable tourism products and experiences, which are vital to sustaining and growing Newcastle’s visitor economy,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Our Product Development Mentoring Program provided 15 local businesses with training and business to business mentoring on how to develop tourism products that leveraged Newcastle’s unique offering in a way that would appeal to visitors from outside the region and abroad.
“The results have been fantastic, with new tourism products including the launch of a new business called Newy Rides. Other beneficiaries such as Baked Uprising and Mitch Revs Gallery explored new opportunities in the tourism market to enhance their core offerings. Urban Hum refined their tourism experience while other businesses have expanded their operations, employed new staff and relaunched products, which were put on hold by COVID-19.
“City of Newcastle has contributed $150,000 to these 15 local businesses to help them better prepare to meet visitor demands now and in the future.”
Cr Nelmes said program facilitators, Sparrowly Group, will provide another 10 businesses with training with funding from City of Newcastle’s NewSkills Program.
“Investing in the tourism industry is about building a thriving, diverse and robust economy, while also helping to reposition Newcastle as a premier tourism destination with focuses on events, experiences, natural assets and cultural heritage,” Cr Nelmes said.
The 15 participants in the initial program are:
- Baked Uprising
- Blackbutt Reserve
- Christ Church Cathedral
- CoastXP
- Earp Distilling Co
- Mitch Revs Gallery
- Newcastle Afoot
- Newcastle Backroad Tours
- Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
- Newcastle Ghost Tours
- Newy Rides
- Nova Cruises
- The Lock-Up
- Underground Epicureans
- Urban Hum.
Kyle Liston from Baked Uprising said the program provided an invaluable insight into the opportunities available from the visitor economy as a non-traditional tourism operator.
“We’d never really thought of ourselves in the tourism market before, but this program allowed us to broaden our focus to think about the business in a different way,” Kyle said.
“Food tourism is a growing market in Newcastle’s offering as a destination. The program gave us the knowledge and confidence to develop a range of new experiences to be introduced in the future, from sourdough making workshops to intimate interactive experiences, showcasing Newcastle’s heart and soul as a city of makers, which in turn will encourage our customers to not only come back but bring their friends and visitors with them.”
To find out more, City of Newcastle have produced a two-minute video of the Product Development Mentoring Program.
Second mass vaccination centre to open in NSW
A former Bunnings warehouse in Lake Macquarie will be transformed into the NSW Government’s second mass vaccination centre, further boosting the vaccine rollout across the state.
The mass vaccination centre will be located at 393 Pacific Hwy, Belmont with around 150 people to work on converting the site over six weeks.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the centre would have the capacity to administer up to 20,000 vaccines per week and is expected to open in mid-July.
“Our mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park has been a huge success, vaccinating more than 5,000 people a day already,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are planning to replicate that model in the Hunter region, so we can quickly and safely vaccinate as many people as possible across NSW.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the centre would employ up to 100 nurses, 25 pharmacists or pharmacy technicians plus around 200 other support staff.
“The Newcastle community and indeed everyone across the Hunter New England Local Health District has been outstanding in presenting for COVID testing to help keep their loved ones safe,” Mr Hazzard said.
“More than half a million people to date have fronted for testing, so I am confident the community will register online to get vaccinated at this new centre, or with their GP, and encourage others to do the same.”
Michael DiRienzo, Chief Executive, Hunter New England Local Health District said he was delighted to host the state’s second mass vaccination centre in the Hunter.
“I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of our staff, and all the contractors, who are helping us to deliver this vaccination centre,” Mr DiRienzo said.
“It is no small task to transform an empty warehouse into a vaccination centre capable of inoculating thousands every day. It’s a great service you’re doing for our community.”
The Centre will administer both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine, with bookings required.
HUNTER VALLEY UNVEILS NEW HERITAGE CAIRN TRAIL
Australian Leadership on show on World Food Day
World Food Safety Day is an opportunity to recognise Australia’s contributions in providing safe, premium food for consumers here and abroad.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said food integrity and safety was everyone’s business.
“As a major food exporter, Australia has an outstanding reputation as a trusted and reliable supplier in international markets,” Minister Littleproud said
“Underpinned by strong food safety standards, our farmers and food processors continue to provide confidence to the domestic and international community with strong food safety controls to deliver food that remains safe and reliable.
“We’re always looking to improve our food regulatory system to ensure it remains robust and agile into the future.
“One way we are doing this is through chairing the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems which is currently meeting virtually.
“The committee provides guidance and a trusted framework for efficient and transparent inspection and certification systems, which are vital for open trade in reliable and safe foodstuffs.
Senator Richard Colbeck, who has portfolio responsibility for food regulation, said production and consumption of high-quality, safe product had immediate and long-term benefits for individuals, the economy and the rest of the world.
“World Food Safety Day draws global attention to need to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks and highlights importance of access to safe, healthy and nutritious food,” Minister Colbeck said.
“Our food safety standards are among the highest in the world.
“Australia prides itself in implementing effective food safety standards throughout food production and distribution chains to ensure the safety and quality of Australian produce.
“The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of strong food safety systems.
“We will continue to be a key producer of high quality, safe, reliable and globally recognised food products.”
Fast Facts:
- This year marks the third United Nations World Food Safety Day.
- The theme this year’s is ‘Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow’.
- Foodborne diseases are a major inhibitor to growth and development in children.
- Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems 25th meeting is being hosted virtually by Australia over 7 days. Australia has chaired the committee since 1992.
QLD pharmacies join rollout, 1 million regional vaccines delivered
More rural and remote Queenslanders will be rolling up their sleeves as local pharmacies join the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout from today.
The Australian Government is partnering with the Queensland community pharmacy network to bolster the regional rollout of vaccines, with 49 pharmacies starting to vaccinate from this week.
Speaking at the first pharmacy-delivered vaccination site in Boonah, Wright MP, Scott Buchholz, said he was proud the Scenic Rim region and more specifically Boonah was chosen to be part of the local pharmacy rollout of vaccines which would help protect more people from the devastating pandemic.
“I’m pleased for Scenic Rim locals who can now book their AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at Terry Foote’s Boonah Pharmacy,” Mr Buchholz said.
“I urge everyone who is eligible for vaccination to make a booking and get the jab, to protect you, your family, and the wider community from this awful disease.”
Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton said using the existing network of community pharmacies in Queensland ensures regional Australians will have more access to COVID-19 vaccines.
“More than 8 million people live outside Australia’s major capital cities, and while the regions have largely been spared from outbreaks during the pandemic, getting vaccinated is vital to our ongoing recovery and way forward,” Minister Coulton said.
“Ensuring all Queenslanders have access to COVID-19 vaccinations, regardless where they live, is hugely important, and community pharmacies provide a network of professionals to make this task easier.
“Pharmacists have the skills and the capacity to play an important role in bolstering the rollout of vaccines in the bush and have the local knowledge needed to ensure their communities are fully protected from the virus.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said Queensland’s community pharmacies are the first to join the national COVID-19 vaccine effort, one of the largest logistical exercises in the nation’s history.
“This will harness Australia’s network of community pharmacies to increase access to safe, effective, and free vaccines, especially for those in regional, rural, and remote communities,” Minister Hunt said.
“We have always said community pharmacies will play an important role in the ramp up of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and we are working with other states and territories to activate community pharmacies across the country.”
As the community pharmacy rollout begins, the benchmark of one million people in regional, rural, and remote Australia receiving their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine has been surpassed.
Minister Coulton said the milestone is significant in the protection of regional Australians, many of whom remain vulnerable to future COVID-19 outbreaks.
“The rollout of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines across Australia’s vast and sparsely populated areas is a complex and challenging undertaking,” Minister Coulton said.
“I would like to thank everyone involved with helping to reach this milestone, including medical professionals, Indigenous and other health services and most of all, the people who have stepped up – and rolled up – to be vaccinated.
Minister Coulton said it is pleasing that many regional Australians had acknowledged the vaccine would protect them from the virus and had made appointments to have their vaccine.
Visit health.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines for more information about the vaccine rollout.
First pharmacy-delivered vaccines in Australia, press conference, Boonah, Queensland
Well, it’s wonderful to be here in downtown Boonah this morning, making a significant announcement, not only for Boonah but for regional Australia.
This morning, we are flanked by some incredible men that have joined the fight against COVID-19 in regional Australia. This morning we’ll be announcing that regional pharmacies, in particular Footes Pharmacy right here in Boonah, will as of today, be able to hand out the vaccines for over 50s, for the AstraZeneca.
Now, I’m joined here by the Minister for Regional Health and Regional Communications, Mark Coulton. Thank you for joining us.
It’s always wonderful to have you in the electorate doing amazing things.
Cameron Foote, the local pharmacist – who has a number of pharmacies. Cameron, thank you for being a part of this exciting rollout and joining with us, locked arms, to take the fight up against COVID-19.
And of course, Chris Owen, the Pharmacy Guild President here to make the announcement. I might just ask Mark Coulton now to give you a bit of an oversight of what the program’s about.
MARK COULTON:
Thanks, Scotty. Great to be here in Boonah, your home town with the Assistant Minister Scott Buchholz.
And so what we’re announcing today is a partnership between the Federal Government, the Queensland Government and the Pharmacy Guild.
This site here behind us, Cameron Foote’s pharmacy, Foote’s Pharmacy, will be the first site of 49 pharmacies across Queensland that will be distributing AstraZeneca starting from today.
These pharmacies are located in areas where there is not a GP delivering the service.
So, community pharmacy are filling in the gap. And it’s a great choice because people need to have confidence in the people delivering vaccinations.
With what has happened in the last six months, there is a lot of questions people have about whether they should have the vaccine or not.
And there are not many more trusted professions in a community than their local pharmacist.
So I’m pleased that this announcement’s been made today.
We’re very hopeful that in other parts of Queensland, but also in other states, we will be able to roll out the vaccine program with the Pharmacy Guild across Australia because they are a very important partner with the Australian Government because of their close connection to the community.
But I might hand on now to Chris to say a few words and then happy to take questions at the end.
CHRIS OWEN:
Thank you, Mark. It is a pleasure today to be able to announce that 49 community pharmacies in Queensland will be able to give the COVID-19 vaccine.
State Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, we thank you for being able to join in this COVID rollout.
We want to accelerate the amount of numbers that are being given, and especially in rural and remote Australia, where I myself am from. And we want to be able to lower those barriers to access for those patients to get in this COVID vaccine rollout.
We look forward to further pharmacies being rolled out in the future and we’ll hopefully be able to get back to our normal daily lives sooner rather than later.
CAMERON FOOTE:
Thanks, Chris. Welcome to Boonah, everyone. Really excited to be part of the rollout today, improving access for people in rural and remote areas. Pharmacies are excited to come off the bench and get involved in the fight against COVID. Thanks very much for coming, everyone.
MARK COULTON:
So we can take any questions that you might have.
QUESTION:
Fantastic. Minister, just a couple of questions in relation to, same thing there, just about you got any idea what sort of timeframes we may be able to seek supplies to roll it out further?
MARK COULTON:
Look, I think towards the end of the year, we’ll see more. We secured an extra 20 million Pfizer doses on top of the 20 million we secured earlier in the year.
And so they’re sort of back ended in the last quarter of the year.
But I would expect that we’ll see a gradual roll out. And then when we get to go in the below 50s, so the general population, we’ll see larger numbers.
Queensland’s been very good. You know, they started doing sort of town-wide vaccination clinics some time ago in some of the smaller, remote communities. And so, as the vaccine supply increases, so will the opportunity for people to have vaccine.
QUESTION:
You’ve got AstraZeneca here. Pfizer, will that come to?
MARK COULTON:
Pfizer, eventually. There is a few more logistical problems with Pfizer, but not insurmountable.
It can be transported at the minus 70 that it’s stored at. Once it’s thawed back to around 4 degrees and below, it can sit in a vaccine fridge for five days.
So they’re working through the logistics now of getting more Pfizer doses out as we’re getting to that phase of the rollout.
UNKNOWN:
Last question.
QUESTION:
Good to see the Queensland Premier getting her jab today.
MARK COULTON:
Oh, is she? Yeah. Well I had mine on Saturday, my wife and I who’s with me, had ours on Saturday.
We’re still upright and smiling. The clinic we were at, people were keen to have it. And I think that, particularly country people, understand that while country towns have probably been the safest place on the planet over the last 18 months, what’s made us safe, also makes us vulnerable.
And so we are focusing on getting regional areas done, particularly some of the more remote rural and Indigenous communities, because that would be incredibly difficult to manage it in those places. And those folk are really stepping up and taking the opportunity.
QUESTION:
Speaking of vulnerable, we can be very vulnerable. Take Victoria, you know, another 11 cases overnight. At a click of the fingers, Queensland could be in trouble.
MARK COULTON:
Everyone could be. And I think one of the reasons that the rollout was a little slower than we would have liked is probably complacency that people thought that the pandemic was something that was really happening somewhere else.
And to put it in perspective, if we had the same death rate as Europe here in Australia, we would have lost 30,000 people. And we’ve lost under a thousand.
So, yeah, they were tragic deaths, but it could have been worse. But I think what we’ve seen with the lockdown in Victoria, we are seeing a much greater focus on the public that this is serious.
It can affect us. Someone could roll into a town like here in Boonah and before you know it, we’ve got a lockdown here in Queensland.
And so we don’t want that, and the best way to prevent that is for people to step up and have their vaccine when they can make an appointment.