Push for Release of COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring Documents Rejected by Senate

A motion from Liberal Senator Alex Antic calling on the government to release COVID-19 vaccine safety information has failed to pass the Senate.

The motion pushed for the release of all documents since February 2021 that show evidence the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) implemented and adhered to its COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring Plan.

The plan was published in February 2021 by the TGA, the body responsible for approving and regulating COVID-19 vaccines in Australia.

“The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines meant that the typical regulatory approval and production processes were being expedited using the TGA’s provisional approval pathway, which allows for temporary registration of new medicines,” Antic said.

No Need To Release Documents

Labor Senator Katy Gallagher rejected the motion and accused Antic of being “anti-vaccination.”

“The government does not support this motion from Senator Antic. It’s another trawling expedition from an anti-vaccination senator. In this case, it seeks documents stretching back to February 2021,” she said in the Senate.

Gallagher saw no need for the health department to use its resources attending to this motion.

“It’s an unacceptable diversion of departmental resources,” she said.

She pointed out the motion dated back to 2021, when the former Liberal Morrison government was in charge.

“The period stretches back to the Morrison government and the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program started by that government, which has continued under the Albanese government,” she said.

Gallagher then defended the safety of taking COVID-19 vaccinations.

“Vaccination is the single most important step each of us can take to minimise the risk of severe disease
and death associated with COVID-19 infection,” she said.

“Long-term data and real-world experience continue to confirm both the safety and the efficacy of vaccines for the prevention of severe disease, hospitalisations and death from COVID-19.”

Labor and the Greens voted against releasing the documents, while the Liberals, One Nation, and United Australia supported the push—33 against and 26 in favour.

The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines meant that the typical regulatory approval and production processes were being expedited using the TGA’s provisional approval pathway, which allows for temporary registration of new medicines.

In February of 2021 the Therapeutic Goods… pic.twitter.com/8aeBMRg2k9

— Senator Alex Antic (@SenatorAntic) August 28, 2025

What Was in the 2021 Vaccine Safety Monitoring Plan?

The Department of Health’s TGA COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring plan aimed to detect and investigate potential side effects following vaccination.

Key objectives included collecting and managing reports of adverse events of the vaccine.

It said it would take timely action to address any COVID-19 vaccine concerns.

The motion (pdf) was asking for the representative of the health minister in the Senate to show evidence that this plan had been carried out.

“The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines due to the urgent global need to effectively combat this pandemic has meant that the typical regulatory approval and production processes are being expedited,” the February 2021 plan (pdf) said.

“This plan builds on the Department of Health’s already well-established vaccine safety monitoring activities to closely monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.”

The TGA said it aimed to improve the existing vaccine vigilance system for the early detection and investigation of suspected side effects following COVID-19 immunisation.

“This will enable the TGA to manage any emerging safety issues and help maintain public confidence in the immunisation program,” it said.

The plan included strategies the TGA would use to improve vaccine safety monitoring in Australia, including “enhanced reporting” of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI).

“Encourage consumers and health professionals to report COVID-19 vaccine AEFI in an appropriate and
timely manner. Reminding health professionals that in most Australian states and territories they are
obligated to report AEFI,” the plan said.

It also called for more sharing between the TGA and state and territory governments on vaccine adverse events.

The TGA says on its website, “We rigorously assess any COVID-19 vaccine for safety, quality and effectiveness before it can be supplied in Australia.”