Incentives for people to get vaccinated - such as additional Dine and Discover vouchers - would "help save lives and livelihoods" says Keira MP Ryan Park.
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Mr Park, Labor's health spokesman, on Sunday called on the NSW Government to work with the Commonwealth Government to provide more incentives for people to get a COVID-19 jab.
He said he'd written to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard this week to put forward ideas, and said extra Dine and Discover Vouchers were a perfect incentive as the system was already set up so the concept could be implemented swiftly.
Mr Park said it was especially vital to encourage higher vaccination in areas like Wollongong and Shellharbour which were in the midst of a lockdown; and the entire South Coast which was still reeling from the combined effects of the pandemic, fires and floods.
"It's really important we increase the number of locals getting vaccinated and I hope this issue is something that is discussed at the next National Cabinet," he said.
"The benefit with providing incentives like additional Dine and Discover vouchers is that it not only helps get more people vaccinated but it would be great for Illawarra hospitality businesses who have been hit hard because of the current lockdown taking place during the normally busy school holiday period.
"The fastest way we can help local businesses stay open and keep people employed is if we as a community increase our vaccination rates and given that additional supply of the vaccines are due this month now is the time for this to be considered."
Mr Park said without incentives, the nation's vaccination rollout was "going to slow" but simple measures could help dramatically increase the number of people getting vaccinated.
"This would be an easy way that government at all levels could encourage local residents across the region to get vaccinated and at the same time support local businesses up and down the coast who have had the most difficult of trading conditions over the last 18 months," he said.
"The Illawarra and especially the South Coast has been hit hard by bushfires and the pandemic and now is the time for all options to be considered to try and get people vaccinated whilst at the same time trying to support many businesses keep their doors open and their lights on."
Mr Park said NSW Labor was also calling for more regional vaccine hubs, and for pharmacies to play a greater role in administering COVID-19 vaccines, to help accelerate the vaccination rollout right across NSW.
He welcomed last week's announcement that a mass vaccination hub would be operational in the Wollongong CBD by August, but said more were needed.
He also said the government should expand on its pilot program, also announced last week, which will see 22 pharmacies across regional and rural NSW administer the AstraZeneca jab.
"In many communities in the regions, it's not as easy to see a GP as it is in the cities. A plan for more regional vaccination hubs and for involving local pharmacies means more people getting vaccinated, and less pressure on our GPs," he said.
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