COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): Does the Premier have a target for the month of April for the component for which he is responsible as leader of the state government?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:27): Again, I just refer the leader to the published information on this which is changing. You can't set a target in isolation of understanding that we have now two vaccines—originally, we were only thinking of one vaccine during this period of time—and, secondly, the rollout of the additional hubs right across the state.

Much of this, of course, will be focused on a joint effort between the state government and the commonwealth where we go with the GPs and, ultimately, potentially where we go with pharmacies right across South Australia. What we are committed to doing is making sure that we are standing up the clinics in the right places so that we can maximise the number of people who have access to the vaccines when they become eligible for that vaccine.

We want an orderly rollout of the vaccine. We want an effective rollout of the vaccine. This is safe. It's effective. It's free. It's not mandatory, but we are very actively messaging to the people of South Australia that they should do this to protect themselves, to protect their families, to protect their workforces or their workplaces, and to protect the overall South Australian community.

We have shown, I think, since day one that by working together we have taken the coronavirus on and we have been able to do extraordinarily well, compared to just about any other place in the world. It has been a real joy walking around the streets of Adelaide and, more broadly, across South Australia in recent weeks when we have been celebrating the Fringe, the Festival, WOMAD and Writers' Week in metropolitan Adelaide and across country SA.

I think we would be one of the few places in the world with this quality of life and, if you like, this low level of restrictions. But it hasn't happened by accident. It has happened by every single South Australian with small—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: It has happened through every individual making small sacrifices. Collectively, they are keeping South Australia protected. I thank the people of South Australia for the efforts they have put in place. We can't become complacent. There is still a mighty job in front of us. We've got to have an effective vaccine rollout. This will be what makes sure we get through this year in a strong position.