NSW and federal governments skirt responsibility for covid vaccine rollout
Bombshell letters from the NSW and federal governments have highlighted how neither is taking responsibility for the covid vaccine rollout.
A NSW man has highlighted the buck passing happening between the federal government and the states over the botched vaccine rollout.
Pat Conroy, the Labor Member for Shortland, posted letters that a constituent received from Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office and the office of Ray Williams, Parliamentary Secretary to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The Newcastle man, only identified as ‘Col from Blacksmiths’, wrote to both Ms Berejiklian and Mr Morrison asking about the supply of the Pfizer vaccine to his area.
“Thank you for your correspondence to the Premier regarding the coronavirus vaccine rollout. I am responding on behalf of the Premier. As the matter raised falls under the primary responsibility of the Federal government, it is appropriate that they consider your correspondence and I have forwarded it accordingly,” Mr Williams wrote on behalf of the NSW Premier on June 21.
However, a few days later he received this response from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
“The Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, has asked me to thank you for your letter dated 17 June 2021 regarding the pfizer vaccine supply in Newcastle. Looking at the issues you raised in your letter the New South Wales government would be best placed to respond to you. To assist with that we have referred your letter to the New South Wales Premier’s Office for their consideration,” she wrote on June 23.
Col was flabbergasted after receiving the letters.
“I got a reply from the Premier saying it was a federal responsibility and a reply from the PM saying it’s a state responsibility. It’s no surprise this rollout has been a shambles if neither of them know who is in charge!!” he said.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself Col. This is just ridiculous,” Mr Conroy said.
The post received hundreds of comments on Facebook with people angry that no one is taking responsibility.
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