Question Time: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on vaccine timeline, budget assumptions

Confusion over the vaccine rollout ensued after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Aussies would get two shots by the end of 2021.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has fallen into line over the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout timeline after contradicting the Prime Minister.

The treasurer sparked confusion on Tuesday by saying the budget assumed every Australian who wanted to be vaccinated would get two shots by the end of the year.

But he backed away from the comments during question time on Thursday, quoting Scott Morrison, who earlier moved to allay the confusion.

“The budget does not rest on this assumption entirely,” Mr Frydenberg told parliament.

“That is what the Prime Minister said.

“The reason being is a key factor that will help drive the momentum in our economic recovery is our ability to continue to suppress the virus.”

A mass vaccination hub in Melbourne last month. Picture: AAP image/pool Luis Ascui via NCA NewsWire

Mr Frydenberg said the date of a person’s second vaccine dose was dictated by their first.

But that did not stop opposition treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers from grilling Mr Frydenberg over the apparent contradiction.

“Why did the treasurer say on Tuesday that budget outcomes are based on an assumption that Australians will receive two doses of the COVID vaccine by the end of this year?” Dr Chalmers asked.

Mr Frydenberg replied: “The key point that (Dr Chalmers) and the house needs to understand is these are assumptions, not policy decisions by the government.”

He said they were based on the best medical advice available.

“The assumption is very clear in budget paper number one … a population-wide vaccination program is likely to be in place by the end of 2021,” he said.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Prime Minister Scott Morrison during Question Time. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Earlier in the day, Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck said Australians were never expected to have two COVID-19 doses before the end of 2021.

“I don’t see where that suggestion comes from,” Mr Colbeck said.

Mr Frydenberg told parliament it was important that the vaccines were rolled out “as quickly as possible”.

Health Minister Greg Hunt on Thursday announced that Moderna would supply 25 million vaccine doses to Australia under a new deal.

“Importantly, that allows us to have a medium term strategy where we are focusing next year on the ability to have booster and variant capacity,” Mr Hunt said.