As of today, the Australian Capital Territory has a first dose COVID-19 vaccination rate of 99 per cent, and over 90.5 per cent of Canberrans aged 12 and over are now fully vaccinated.

The ACT is set to become the most COVID-vaccinated jurisdiction in the world and Canberra the most vaccinated city. We should reach the milestone of 99 per cent of Canberrans aged 12 and over fully vaccinated in just over a month.

And in the race that isn’t a race, I would note that while the other states and territories have been reporting their vaccination rates as aged 16 and over, our reported rates are for those aged 12 and above.

Canberra’s vaccination rollout faced the same hurdles as the rest of the nation and in February we had very few of our population with any protection at all against COVID-19.

As Canberrans have demonstrated it was not from a lack of want to be vaccinated.

The Morrison Liberal government botched the vaccination rollout. The Liberals said we were at the front of the queue, but it turns out we were waiting in the wrong line altogether. This will be this Prime Minister’s legacy. Failing the Australian people in one of the worst crises to be visited upon the human race. Failed on vaccines and failed on quarantine.

I just hope that the government has learnt its lessons, and they are ready to go with their booster program. Even though there has been an announcement from the government about a plan for booster shots, this government is good at announcements and not delivery. I will wait to see if they can deliver their booster program.

The immunocompromised and the vulnerable people in our community need more than a message to call your doctor. We also need our frontline workers protected with a booster where and when required.

Our vaccination rates in Bean and Canberra are the as high as they are because we understand first and foremost what getting vaccinated means for our own health, the health of our families and the health of the community.

I am also proud to say that my constituents on Norfolk Island reach full vaccination rates this month.

The people of Bean are a civic-minded people and I am so proud to be their elected representative.

There is still so more to do. I support vaccination mandates where vulnerable Canberrans could be exposed to COVID-19. We need a properly organised and coordinated booster program. We need a vaccine that is safe and effective for our children aged between five and 12.

I pay tribute to all the ACT public health team. The nurses, health professionals, gps, pharmacists who have been at the forefront of putting jabs in arms.

Thank you Canberrans.