COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout

Mr BOYER (Wright) (15:03): My question is to the Minister for Education. When did the Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, first recommend a vaccine mandate for teachers and others working in education settings? With your leave, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr BOYER: This morning, on ABC radio Professor Spurrier said she had provided that advice some time ago.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (15:04): I thank the member for the question. As I understand it, advice was provided by Professor Spurrier to the police commissioner in his role as State Coordinator. I don't have the date. I can check that and bring back an answer to the house. As I understand it, the police commissioner sought some advice along the way from the Chief Executive of the Department for Education about how such a move would be operationalised if indeed he determined to implement it as a direction in his role as the State Coordinator, and that advice was provided.

I was advised the night before last that the police commissioner had determined that he would identify—would make the direction, I think is the appropriate term—and was seeking support to announce the decision yesterday. Indeed, the Department for Education had been working with SA Health on the broader settings for the remaining weeks of the school term in the lead-up to the end of 2021, keeping in mind the opening of the borders next Tuesday, so we determined that it would be a very suitable time to make those announcements together.