COVID-19 Vaccination

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome) (15:23): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier please advise the house how the foreign crew of a vessel currently berthed at Port Pirie will be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as all the 11 crew are currently unvaccinated? With your leave, and that of the house, sir, I will explain further.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.G. BROCK: The crew of this vessel, the Silver Lining, travels only between Port Pirie, Whyalla and Tasmania. The crew never leaves the vessel due to restrictions. They have tried to get assistance from Flinders Ports, but to no avail, and they have also tried to get hold of SA Health. The concern that the agent for the vessel has is for the health and wellbeing of the crew. They have been on the vessel going backwards and forwards for months, but they are not allowed off the vessel because they haven't had a vaccination. They are looking for assistance from the government here to understand how we can get them vaccinated.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (15:24): I thank the member for Frome for his question. It's quite a unique situation. It's not one that I have heard of before. Obviously, it's probably not our responsibility to vaccinate foreign nationals but, in this instance, because they are travelling in Australian waters, I see the point that the member is making. I'm happy to consult SA Health. It would have been unsatisfactory to use some of our doses when we had a shortage but, of course, at the moment we have quite a surplus. I will make inquiries as to whether or not that is something that we could accommodate. Precisely how it would occur I would have to seek advice from SA Health.