Victory in sight in battle of our generation

Victorians have sacrificed so much over the course of prolonged, tough
lockdowns, but you’ve rolled up your sleeves and now you’re about to
start reclaiming your lives.

Over the past almost two
years, Victoria, like so much of the world, has been engaged in the
battle of our generation: beating Covid-19.

With the state reaching the 70 per cent double dose vaccination milestone, victory is in sight.

I want to thank each and every Victorian for the incredible job you’ve done.

Again
and again, Victorians have stepped up. Thank you to all Victorians who
have had a double dose of a Covid-19 vaccine – and to those who have a
first or second dose booked in.

I welcome Premier Andrews’ announcement to safely reopen as part of the National Plan.

Bringing
down state borders and bringing down the international border.
Reuniting families and friends. Getting businesses going again.
Increasing job opportunities.

And I look forward to the safe easing of more restrictions across Victoria as the vaccination rate continues to surge.

Victorians have sacrificed so much over the course of extended lockdowns.

Crucially, you’ve rolled up your sleeves, with a first dose vaccination rate of almost 90 per cent – that’s higher than the UK.

If Victoria was a country it would be the 12th most vaccinated in the OECD on first doses.

Having
reached 70 per cent double dose – a critical early mark of the National
Plan – you’re about to start reclaiming your lives.

It’s a new chapter, as you begin to open up safely. And stay safely open.

We’ll
see relaxations for the fully vaccinated at restaurants, cafes,
cinemas, gyms, religious gatherings, weddings and funerals. Children are
heading back to school.

Next month, when the 80 per cent fully
vaccinated target is met, Victorians will enjoy even more freedoms.
We’re taking our lives back.

And it’s been achieved by Victorians –
and Australians and their governments from all states and territories –
signing up to the National Plan. Working together.

The Morrison government rolled up its sleeves with significant vaccine supply and record economic support.

We
have provided Victorians with more than 10.8 million Covid-19 vaccines,
including almost 685,000 doses that were brought forward to deal
directly with outbreaks

Our government has provided Victorians
with more than $51bn in economic support to date, the highest per capita
support of any state.

More than $28bn in JobKeeper payments, over $5bn in Coronavirus
Supplement, and to combat the impact of Delta, over $3.7bn in Covid-19
Disaster Payments and more than $2.4bn as our half of Business Support
Payments.

We’ve saved lives and livelihoods the Australian way, and now Australians are reclaiming their Australian way of life.

Whether you’re in Victoria or NSW, Queensland or Western Australia, we can feel proud.

We have now administered more than 33 million vaccines around the country.

That’s
more than 85 per cent of eligible over 16s who have had a first dose
and the 70 per cent double dose mark now also achieved nationally (70.01
per cent).

Australia’s double dose vaccination rate has surpassed
the US, and over the coming month we are on track to overtake Israel,
France and Germany.

And with first doses administered to about two
thirds of 12 to 15-year-olds, thank you to all those parents and kids
for responding magnificently to the challenge.

I can understand in Victoria how tough the lockdowns have been.
However, vaccinations are clearly winning the fight. The vaccines are
doing their job. The vaccines are working.

As a result, freedoms
are very close for every state or territory that has at some stage been
subject to lockdown, or for those states locked in and wanting to see
loved ones interstate.

Planes are ready for take off again, as we prepare to reignite international travel and bring Australians home.

All of this has been achieved by following the National Plan, and Australians getting vaccinated at record rates.

We
understand that every state is starting at a different point, but we
all want the same ending – to bring our country together again, and join
the rest of the world.

I know all premiers and chief ministers want this. It’s what the National Plan that we agreed to is all about.

For
locked-down states, it’s been about winning freedoms back. For others,
it’s about protecting the freedoms you’ve been fortunate to enjoy by
safely reopening as a nation.

But for everyone, it’s about getting back to living our lives as we once did, as best we can.

The vaccine supply is there for everyone. Right now.

So please, go and get your second jab. If you haven’t already, please
get your first dose. Encourage your friends and family to also get
vaccinated.

Victoria, you know this has been the battle of our generation. It’s been long and tough. There have been many sacrifices.

We
can’t be complacent. We still have to take one step at a time safely
and ensure we always put that safety goal first as we reopen our
country.

So thank you again. For rolling up your sleeves, not just
in terms of getting the vaccines, but for the sacrifices you’ve made
and the resilience you’ve demonstrated.

And thank you to the
thousands of nurses, doctors, pharmacists and healthcare workers who
have cared for us, protected us and vaccinated us.

Let’s bring this home – that 70 per cent has to become an 80.

And
most importantly, ensure that we are back together with our families,
friends and loved ones this Christmas. Making this Christmas the best
ever.

Published in the Herald Sun