COVID-19 rollout delays: Anthony Albanese urges Scott Morrison to ‘actually negotiate’ to receive additional vaccines
Federal opposition leader has called on Australia to follow Japan’s example and negotiate for additional vaccines as he toured a popular Sunshine Coast market.
Sunshine Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sunshine Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese has urged the Government to rapidly increase the number of vaccines being rolled out as 14 million Australians remain in lockdown.
Mr Albanese made the call as he toured Eumundi markets on the Sunshine Coast with former prime minister and local Kevin Rudd.
He said the issue of supply of vaccine had been “critical”.
“The prime minister needs to prioritise getting additional supply of vaccines right here right now because the constraints that are there are having a real impact,” he said.
Japan signed a contract in May with US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to receive an additional 50m doses of its coronavirus vaccine by September.
Mr Albanese said the deal showed it was possible to receive additional vaccines if countries “actually negotiate”.
“Australia needs to be doing more to gain earlier access to more supplies,” he said.
Stay-at-home orders are now in place in South Australia, Victoria and parts of New South Wales as the country deals with more than 1800 active cases.
Nearly 11m COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given to Australians so far. The target was 13.6m for the current phase.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has acknowledged the challenges with the rollout program, saying it was two months behind schedule.
“I’m certainly sorry that we haven’t been able to achieve he marks that we had hoped for at the beginning of this year,” he said earlier this week.
Mr Albanese who also visited Maryborough refused to answer whether his visit was in preparation for an upcoming federal election.
“I will be continuing to talk to Australians wherever they are,” he said.
Neighbour shares worrying detail after 4yo’s devastating fall
A neighbour has revealed safety concerns in the weeks leading up to the serious fall of a four-year-old boy off a balcony on the Sunshine Coast.
Cosmic reserve potential star in future tourism plans
A Queensland council’s proposed protection of its hinterland’s stunning night sky could bolster astro-tourism in the area with the plan open for public feedback.