1.1
On 17 March 2021, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement (committee) initiated this inquiry on COVID-19 vaccine related fraud and security. In initiating the inquiry, the committee sought to provide an opportunity for detailed consideration of concerns, variously expressed by governments, security and health experts, regarding the security and integrity of COVID-19 vaccinations. Some of these concerns, it might be noted, had emerged even before such vaccines had been approved for use in Australia, reflecting the early recognition of the importance of the vaccination rollout in Australia’s defence against coronavirus.
1.2
The committee was particularly keen to identify and address any vulnerabilities that had or potentially could emerge in relation to vaccine and vaccine related fraud and security and provide the Australian public with confidence in the integrity of the COVID-19 vaccination program.
1.3
In undertaking this inquiry, the committee has considered concerns held, both within Australia and globally, regarding the security of COVID-19 vaccines themselves as well as the broader integrity of vaccination programs. Concerns raised during the inquiry included organised crime groups selling illicit or fake vaccines or undertaking fraud using peoples’ uncertainty or desire for vaccines as the ‘bait’, with additional concerns as to whether anti-vaccination (colloquially, ‘anti-vaxxer’) groups may seek to impact the rollout of a COVID‑19 vaccination program.
1.4
The Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) submitted in April 2021, approximately two months into Australia’s vaccination program, that the potential for fraud accompanying the release of such vaccines could be ‘the most significant criminal issue associated with COVID-19 to impact Australia over the next 24 months’.
1.5
The types of fraud the committee was concerned would arise included:
phone and internet communications using people’s COVID-19 related concerns to conduct fraud;
fraudulent vaccination certificates;
the physical safety of COVID-19 vaccines; and
Australian Government assistance being given to Pacific nations in relation to the above issues.
1.6
The committee published an interim report in August 2021, which looked at the above issues and found that ‘concerns regarding fraud and security risks relating to the vaccination rollout have not yet manifested to the degree some anticipated’. The committee found:
It is clear that the pandemic brought with it a range of national-level concerns and challenges that went beyond the health and economic impacts of the disease. It is also clear that Australian law enforcement agencies were highly alert to those security and fraud issues, and took a very risk-conscious approach.
This risk-conscious approach has proved to be of significant benefit to the Australian community, as many of the predictions for fraud and security risks did not eventuate. From the evidence received by this inquiry, it does not appear that the potential crises were overstated. Instead, it appears the potential crises were averted by early, strong and coordinated action from law enforcement agencies across Australia under various jurisdictions.
1.7
However, the committee noted that at time of publishing that interim report the vaccination certificate system, a system for proving vaccination status, had not yet been rolled out. At that time (August 2021), there remained ‘serious ongoing concerns regarding risks of future fraudulent behaviour in relation to vaccination certificates, particularly as there is a gradual normalisation of pre‑COVID domestic social and economic activity that will rely on vaccination rates instead of measures such as lockdowns and facemasks, as well as the future resumption of international travel’.
1.8
The committee resolved to publish its then findings regarding the majority of the inquiry terms of reference in an interim report, with a final report to be published ‘when the committee has reviewed the fraud and security risks that may arise if a system for proving vaccination status is rolled out by the Australian Government’. This report forms the findings of that additional review and is intended to be read in conjunction with the inquiry’s interim report.
Conduct of the inquiry
1.9
As noted above, the committee initiated this inquiry on 17 March 2021, and agreed the following terms of reference:
Pursuant to subsection 7(1) of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement Act 2010, the committee will inquire into and report on vaccine related fraud and security risks, with particular reference to:
(a)
Telecommunications and internet fraud relating to COVID vaccinations;
(b)
Criminal activity around the supply of fake vaccines, black market vaccines and/or fake vaccine certifications and the acquisition of certificates;
(c)
Risks to Australia regarding fraud and integrity of COVID vaccines in South Pacific nations and support for these nations to address issues relating to fraud and integrity risks;
(d)
Physical security in the production, transport and supply of COVID vaccines in Australia;
(e)
Measures to prevent and protect against COVID vaccine related fraud and security risks;
1.10
The committee received 21 submissions. A list of public submissions, together with other information authorised for publication is provided at Appendix 1. A list of additional information received by the committee is provided at Appendix 2.
1.11
The committee did not hold any hearings for this inquiry, relying instead on the submissions listed above, as well as evidence received during the committee’s 28 August 2020 hearing for its related inquiry into the impacts of COVID-19 on criminal activity and law enforcement. The committee also reviewed evidence received by the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19, which has held many hearings since its inception in April 2020.
1.12
The committee thanks the individuals and organisations that contributed to the inquiry.