Central Queensland’s slow vaccine rollout criticised by Labour Senators

Across Central Queensland only 14.7 per cent of people over the age of 15 were fully vaccinated, as of August 1. Could a $300 incentive help?

Three of Central Queensland’s most prevalent politicians have butted heads in a war of words regarding the region’s slow vaccine rollout.

Senators Murray Watt and Anthony Chisholm released a joint statement which detailed new data released by the Morrison Government showed that Covid vaccination rates in Central Queensland were in the slow lane.

Across Central Queensland only 14.7 per cent of people over the age of 15 were fully vaccinated, as of August 1.

Queensland Health data as at August 5 shows 27,598 total doses have been administered under the Central Queensland Health banner, 14, 870 of which were at Rockhampton Hospital, and 6876 of which were at Gladstone Hospital.

Latest data

• Baralaba MPHS - 183
• Biloela Outreach - 351
• Blackwater MPHS - 277
• Capricorn Coast Hospital - 869
• Capricornia Offender Health Service - 455
• Emerald Hospital - 1,201
• Gladstone Hospital - 6,876
• Mount Morgan MPHS - 163
• Moura MPHS - 403
• Rockhampton Hospital - 14,870
• Springsure MPHS - 255
• TEYS Meatworks - 1,095
• Theodore MPHS - 150
• Woorabinda MPHS - 450

CQ Health announced Thursday it was providing extra vaccination clinics this week to respond to increased demand and help those most at risk to come forward and get vaccinated.

Gladstone Hospital vaccination clinic will open on Friday, August 6, from 8.30am to 4pm, while Rockhampton Hospital vaccination clinic will open on Saturday, August 7, from 8am to 4pm.

Bookings for these clinics are open now, but walk-in appointments will be available for people in the priority groups where vaccine is available.

Register your interest online at www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au or call 134 COVID (13 4268).

CQ Health is also getting ready to ramp up its vaccination numbers when it moves to larger facilities in the community in Rockhampton and Gladstone.

Senators Watt and Chisholm said to boost vaccine take-up and stimulate the local economy, Federal Labor was calling on the Morrison Government to roll up its sleeves in the race to vaccinate Central Queensland, and give a one-off $300 payment to everyone who got fully vaccinated.

“This added incentive for Central Queenslanders to get the jab would deliver a much-needed shot in the arm for businesses, workers and families struggling from lockdowns made necessary by the Morrison Government’s failures with the vaccine rollout,” the statement read.

“Scott Morrison repeatedly said it’s not a race. It is. Just ask the locals who are now in isolation, due to the Rookwood Weir case.

“It’s a race to vaccinate Australians, and get Queensland moving again.

“Supply of the vaccine has been a major problem in Scott Morrison’s botched rollout. But as more supply comes online in coming months, providing this incentive is just common sense.”

Mr Watt said Labor’s proposal would deliver significant cash stimulus for businesses in CQ which have paid the price for serious failures on vaccines and quarantine for the past 18 months.

“Businesses in regional Queensland are struggling with these seemingly endless lockdowns which impacts tourism jobs and small businesses,” he said.

“Federal Labor calls on the Morrison Government to stop neglecting Central Queenslanders, prioritise measures to get more locals vaccinated, and introduce a $300 payment to every person who is fully vaccinated by December 1.”

Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd said, contrary to Mr Watt’s claims, the LNP had been turning the vaccination program around and making up for lost ground.

“Total doses that have been administered as at midnight August 3 are 12,808,398 with another daily increase record of 213,947,” he said.

‘The program is accelerating even more with supply brought forward to around one million Pfizer doses now arriving every week.

‘To keep Australia focusing forward, the Prime Minister secured national cabinet’s support for our national plan with vaccination targets.”

Mr O’Dowd said the best incentive to get the vaccine was the fact it could save your life, and the lives of your loved ones.

“You can’t put a price on saving lives and Australians know that. They know that their taxpayer dollars are best spent supporting those doing it tough, such as those who have lost work due to current lockdowns,” he said.

“Instead, Labor are proposing payments to people who have already been vaccinated or have already decided to get their jab.

“Research has highlighted that financial incentives have had little to no impact on vaccination rates and suggesting that people have to be paid to get vaccinated can increase their risk perception.

“We have a plan to get back to normal life and a target of getting 70 per cent of eligible Australians vaccinated, so lockdowns are less likely, restrictions are eased, and many freedoms returned.”

Mr O’Dowd said the plan was working and that more than 12 million doses had been given and that had ramped up to more than a million doses a week.