COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:43): Very efficient. My question is to the Premier. Following the Prime Minister's target of four million Australians to be vaccinated by the end of April, how many South Australians will that equal?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:43): I don't have that detail with me. As I stated in all my earlier answers to questions from the opposition today, this is a moving feast because the reality is there are plenty of moving parts to this.

For example, we had no idea that we could be using the AstraZeneca vaccine so early. In fact, we didn't even contemplate that we would be vaccinating people in Murray Bridge or Coober Pedy or Port Pirie. This became an opportunity after the AstraZeneca vaccine became available. I think the commonwealth government is doing an excellent job in procuring those vaccines from overseas.

Ultimately, we want to be manufacturing or producing those vaccines right here in Australia and work is underway to make sure that is exactly and precisely what occurs. We have the CSL facility here in Australia; that is great news. In fact, we will be one of just 20 countries in the world that will be able to produce our own vaccines. At the moment, as you would be aware, sir, we need to procure those vaccines from overseas. There have been some procurements that were held up—we made purchases and those purchases were cancelled.

This is why I say to those opposite, who seem quite obsessed at the moment regarding a target, a number—this is almost impossible to believe. They were in government for 16 years. I didn't see them hit a target once in 16 years, but all of a sudden some of them over there have become numerate. It's a pity they weren't numerate when they were in government. They were absolutely hopeless, but we are not hopeless.

We are working with the people of South Australia on delivering a very, very important vaccination program for the people of South Australia and it's time for the opposition to get on board and put the people of South Australia first rather than play their petty politics.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is warned.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Kaurna, I warn the member for West Torrens for a second time. The member for Playford can leave for 20 minutes in accordance with standing order 137A.

The honourable member for Playford having withdrawn from the chamber: