Huge push for Australians to get half a day's paid leave to go and get vaccinated against Covid as the country battles a growing new cluster

In a bid to turbo charge the slow pace of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, unions are calling on the NSW and Commonwealth governments to provide a minimum half day of paid leave for workers to get the jab.  

Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey said NSW government was the nation's largest employer and Premier Gladys Berejiklian could lead the way by introducing 'vax leave' for all public servants.

'She can instruct all department heads to provide a half day of paid 'vax leave' to the one in ten NSW workers who are employed by her Government,' he said.  

Unions are calling on the NSW and Commonwealth governments to provide a minimum half day of paid leave for workers to get the jab

He says the premier should make the case for vaccination leave at national cabinet and push to have it funded for all casual and contract workers as well as making it a right for all permanent employees.

'Every barrier and impediment to vaccination must be removed as soon as possible,' he said on Monday

'There are many things slowing the vaccine rollout, but one element is the cost of missing work, especially for people who are insecurely employed and on modest incomes.'

'Why are we creating more barriers to vaccination?

Ms Berejiklian could instruct all department heads to provide a half day of paid 'vax leave' to the one-in-10 NSW workers who are public servants, he said.

And the federal government could cover the cost of a half day of pay for people in industries where many workers were casuals such as transport, care and food delivery.

'The current Sydney outbreak stems back to an unvaccinated Bondi limousine airport driver. Rather than blaming these workers, perhaps it's time to make it easier and more attractive to get vaccinated,' he said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian could instruct all department heads to provide a half day of paid 'vax leave' to the one-in-10 NSW workers who are public servants 

More than 7 million doses of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca Covid vaccine have been administered in Australia. Pictured: Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino receives his second Pfizer vaccination

More than 7 million doses of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca Covid vaccine have been administered in Australia. 

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said Sunday was a challenging day for Australia during the latest Sydney outbreak, while Labor emphasised the government's failures in establishing permanent quarantine facilities and procuring vaccines.

'The Morrison Government had two jobs this year - effective national quarantine and the rollout of the vaccine, and they have failed both,' Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese told reporters.