Australian Businesses to Play Key Role in Vaccine Rollout

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) says it is ready to assist the federal government with its vaccine rollout plans, but wants better business protections against any adverse vaccine reactions experienced by workers.

Ai Group, a national employer organisation, participated in a business roundtable with Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly and Lieutenant General John Frewen this week, along with the CEOs of major companies such as Qantas, Coles, Telstra, Westfarmers, Virgin, and the Commonwealth Bank.

Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said businesses are set to play a ‘key role’ in delivering vaccines to staff, their families, customers and the broader community.

“Businesses are ready to communicate to their employees and the broader community the gains that come with vaccination. Benefits such as open borders, greater travel, reduced quarantine requirements and reduced restrictions provide strong incentives for the community to be vaccinated in addition to the obvious health benefits.”

“Ai Group stressed at the meeting that many businesses are eager to host workplace-based vaccinations when supplies are available. Airports, shopping centres, industrial parks, clubs and pubs (especially in rural and regional Australia) are also very worthwhile potential vaccination sites.”

Frydenberg stressed the importance of businesses contributing to the rollout, as Australia’s supply of imported Pfizer vaccines increases from 300,000 per week to two million in October.

“It was agreed by all members present that businesses will write to all their workers about the importance of being vaccinated and in some cases will be reaching out to the customer base.”

However, Ai Group raised the ‘significant impediments’ around the lack of indemnity for companies and restrictive privacy rules that put workers at risk that need to be addressed before the roll-out of workplace-based vaccinations.

“Workers’ compensation does not provide appropriate or affordable protections for businesses against adverse vaccine reactions. Businesses need the same indemnities that the Government gives to itself, doctors and pharmaceutical companies,” Willox said.

“It was clear from today’s meeting that to allow workplace vaccinations employers also need state public health orders to be consistent.”

“The success of the Federal Government’s pathway out of COVID and of any action from the Taskforce is dependent on consistency from state and territory governments and their buy-in on the broader vaccine roll-out plans. A lot of business time is being wasted on different state government restrictions, unnecessary and heavy-handed approaches and confused guidance.”