Question Time

COVID-19 Vaccine

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding COVID-19.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Today, it has been reported that the government has been conducting polling via McGregor Tan Research on the government's handling of the vaccine rollout. The polling is reported to include questions such as, and I quote, 'How confident are you that the vaccination process is being managed well by the SA government?' or, 'How well do you trust the South Australian government to manage South Australia through the implementation of the vaccine?' and asking people to agree or otherwise on statements such as, 'The provision of free vaccine helps build my confidence in the government. The vaccine rollout makes me believe the government cares about the community.'

My questions to the minister are, why is the government undertaking popularity polling before vaccines have even been rolled out, and exactly what knowledge, consultation or involvement has the minister or his office had in this public polling?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:21): In terms of the last part of the honourable member's question in terms of what involvement has my department had, I will take that on notice because in relation to McGregor Tan I don't recall being aware of that particular company, but what I am aware of is that government does do surveys supporting its public health effort.

To be clear, it does that even pre-pandemic. It is really important that we get a read on what the community thinks, what the community is doing and, to be frank, how our public health campaigns are having an impact. For example, pre-pandemic we had smoking campaigns and it is important to clarify whether they are having an impact and whether they need to be finetuned.

I believe it would be reckless to undertake the biggest peacetime operation, which is the COVID-19 vaccine, without being supported by an effective communications program. The only way to have an effective communications program is to make sure that it is actually connecting with the people who need to hear that message.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. S.G. WADE: And so we will—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The opposition asked the question and they should listen to the answer.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I will make it clear for the opposition: yes, this government will be making sure that our messages connect with people in relation to the vaccination program because we need to make sure that there is no—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter! The Hon. Mr Ridgway is not helping.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: —impediment to people getting vaccinated and an important part of that will be making sure that we are addressing their concerns.