Rebecca White (Lyons, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

Firstly, I would like to recognise the member for Kooyong and her deep expertise and professional background that she brings to this place, and I acknowledge that this is something of deep interest to her. However, the government won't be supporting the disallowance, and I'll explain why.

The motion moved by the member for Kooyong seeks to disallow item 12 of schedule 1 to the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health and Aged Care Measures No. 4) Regulations 2024 made under the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 on 24 October 2024. The item underpins the government's expenditure on Australia's onshore manufacturing capability and pandemic preparedness. The government supports transparency and accountability. In this instance, there are genuine reasons why the precise details of the agreement between Moderna and the Commonwealth must remain confidential. The fact is that the agreement between Moderna and the government secures more than just vaccines. In supporting the development of a domestic manufacturing capability, the arrangement promotes Australia's sovereign capability, resilience and pandemic preparedness; Australia's onshore production of vaccines using mRNA technology, a technology which was successful in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic; and the enhancement of Australia's research and manufacturing ecosystem and workforce to support our world-class capabilities to develop and produce the next generation of medical technology.

The agreement is a part of a three-way 10-year arrangement, ending in 2032, between the Australian government, the Victorian government and Moderna. It is the reason why Australia is now one of the few countries in the world with an end-to-end mRNA vaccine manufacturing capability.

Like other vaccines—and I think this point will be particularly relevant to the member for Kooyong—vaccines manufactured by Moderna and supplied under the agreement with government must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for quality, safety and efficacy. These principles will not be compromised—and I want to emphasise this point. The Moderna vaccines must also be assessed by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. Importantly, the vaccines are also subject to an independent health technology assessment, consistent with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee guidelines. These assessment arrangements for Moderna onshore vaccines are the result of significant negotiations between the department and Moderna and are commercial-in-confidence.

The agreement was established in line with the Australian government's legal obligations and policy mandate and completed in accordance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. Moderna Australia's manufacturing facility was completed in late 2024, with regulatory approvals now underway. Registration and supply in Australia will only commence following approval of the manufacturing facility and vaccines by the TGA. This is a crucial investment in our domestic manufacture of vaccines in Australia and our preparedness for future pandemics, and, for these reasons, the government will oppose the motion from the member for Kooyong.

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