Hamilton defends Pfizer deal

GROOM MP Garth Hamilton has defended Health Minister Greg Hunt’s handling of the Federal Government’s dealings with Pfizer.

Emails released under the Freedom of Information Act showed the international pharmaceutical company attempted to have a meeting with Mr Hunt in June last year to reach a deal on jabs.

Mr Hunt’s next meeting with Pfizer wasn’t until August, by which point other countries like the United States had established deals for millions of vaccines.

The Opposition said it showed the Federal Government didn’t take the rollout seriously.

“Pfizer in June had approached the government seeking a high-level meeting to brief them on their research,” Labor health spokesman Mark Butler said.

“But for weeks and weeks, were able to get nowhere, while countries like the UK and the US, obviously, but also Canada, Japan, the European nations were busy signing deals.”

Mr Hamilton called the emails misleading, saying Mr Hunt’s office had made contact with Pfizer before the released email was sent.

“It’s a desperate attempt by Labor to discredit the government,” he said.

“We engaged with Pfizer in May, we followed up all the different vaccine manufacturers and secured deals.

“I think Minister Hunt has done an excellent job, I don’t think anyone can fault the efforts of the government.

“Pfizer has pointed out already that no early doses were available.

“This (email drop) is but a tiny snapshot of the engagement we’ve had with Pfizer.”

Mr Hamilton said he was happy with the vaccine rollout.

“Clearly the vaccination rate has turned a corner,” he said.