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Qld resources sector to join ‘Team Australia’ on regional vaccination roll-out
QUEENSLAND resources companies have been asked to put their hands up to help roll out COVID-19 vaccinations in regional communities once vaccine supplies increase in the coming weeks and months.
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is working with the Queensland and Australian governments, Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) to determine how members can help with transport, logistics, facilities and medical staff to fast-track a regional vaccination program.
QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane has sent a survey to all members to gauge what level of support the Queensland resources sector can provide over the coming months.
Mr Macfarlane said the QRC would work with the State Government, Queensland Health’s Primary Health Networks and Hospitals, state-based vaccine delivery authorities and local councils to give regional Queenslanders faster access to vaccinations.
“Right through the COVID crisis, the health and safety of our employees and the regional communities in which we operate has always been our top priority,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“If we can go a step further to safeguard regional Queenslanders by supporting the ‘Team Australia’ vaccination roll-out, I know resources companies will do what they can to help out.”
Last week the MCA attended a roundtable meeting with Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Vaccine Taskforce head Lieutenant General John Frewen to discuss how Australia’s business community could expedite the vaccine roll-out once more stocks became available.
As a result, the QRC and other MCA members around Australia have been asked to consider how resources companies can ‘encourage, incentivise and participate’ in a national vaccination program.
Mr Macfarlane said more details around vaccine availability and the roll-out program still need to be provided by government, but in the meantime the QRC is compiling a list of resources companies with the capacity to help fast-track vaccinations in regional areas.
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