Frustrated Gunner pushes Federal Government for more COVID-19 vaccine supply

Delays in COVID-19 vaccine supply have frustrated chief minister Michael Gunner, who has warned the Commonwealth not to adopt a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude with Australia’s slow rollout.

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has expressed disappointment with the “she’ll be right attitude” of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, joining a growing chorus of state and territory leaders urging the federal government to sure up the country’s supplies.

Australia’s vaccine shipments have in recent weeks been disrupted as the European Union blocks doses of the AstraZeneca jab, with roughly 10,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered in the Territory so far.

Uncertainty over whether there will be enough shots delivered for second doses has also prevented the Territory’s rollout from being scaled up.

Dr Lionel Crompton gives Chief Minister Michael Gunner the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Territorian, Mr Gunner also hinted that a faster vaccine rollout would have lessened the need for border closures between states and territories by now.

“It’s crucial we remain vigilant and urgent in everything we do and that we vaccinate our population in order to return to normal living and avoid future lockdowns and border closures like those seen in Queensland last week,” he said.

Mr Gunner said the federal government couldn’t be complacent despite low levels of community transmission in Australia.

“Australia has earned the right not to rush the rollout but that does not mean taking a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude,” he said.

This picture shows a vial of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine. Picture: LOIC VENANCE / AFP.

“The delay in supply for the rollout is disappointing but also understandable with international problems beyond Australia’s control.”

Mr Gunner said the Territory was already “tracking ahead of our national share” when it came to distributing the vaccine, but supplies being delivered by the federal government weren’t growing rapidly enough.

“The Commonwealth must make every effort to sure up Australia’s supply in the coming weeks so that the states and territories have the certainty they need to scale up the rollout,” he said.

“We are ready to scale up here in the Territory as we gain certainty around supply but we must have certainty of supply because we are obligated to cater for the second shot.”

When contacted for comment, a spokesman for federal health minister Greg Hunt referred to comments made last week.

“We were conservative in our estimates,” Mr Hunt said.

“The best advice that we have, as Professor Murphy reaffirmed when he stood up with the Prime Minister recently, is that we remain on track to complete first doses for all Australians who seek it by the end of October.”

Mr Gunner’s comments come after a week of tensions between states and the Commonwealth over the rollout.