Australia's Role in COVID Origins

Australia co-operated with the Wuhan Institute and America's NIH on gain-of-function research on COVID, which led to the COVID pandemic. Subsequently, both of these institutes conducted similar research on bird flu and now we have a mutant bird flu outbreak.

At Senate Estimates in June, I asked the Health Department if this was a good reason to discontinue gain-of-function research. Their response was NO and instead, indicated a focus on refining messaging to deflect criticism.

Even more troubling is the admission that gain-of-function research into pandemic-potential pathogens is being conducted in level 3 labs rather than level 4.

One Nation opposes gain-of-function research and believes that the "scientists" responsible for developing the novel COVID virus should be held accountable for the deaths it caused.

Gain-of-function research for pandemic-potential pathogens does not pass a cost-benefit-risk analysis and should be halted immediately.