House of Assembly: Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Contents

COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:42): My question is to the Premier. Why was it important and appropriate for the government and the Premier to set a target for the first three weeks of the vaccine rollout but not to outline a target for any other part of the rollout?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:42): I think the member is getting confused. What we said was that we had received doses which would allow us to vaccinate up to 12,000 people. I think at the end of Monday—

Mr Picton: It wasn't a target?

The SPEAKER: Member for Kaurna!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —we got to 8,000, but we made it clear right from day one. I feel fairly sure that the shadow minister, following this in the media, would know that the Chief Public Health Officer and the Minister for Health and Wellbeing in South Australia have said that our number one priority right from day one has been and should always have been a focus on the vaccine rollout being effective and safe for the people of South Australia. We make no apologies for not blowing the target out of the water. We said up to 12,000 and we achieved 8,000. Progress is being made and that will continue into the future.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Kaurna, I call the member for Kaurna to order.