Chris Bowen McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health
9:31 am
I seek leave to move the following motion:
That the House:
(1) notes:
(a) two weeks ago today, the Prime Minister and Minister for Health claimed to have signed a COVID-19 vaccine supply deal with AstraZeneca;
(b) when the Minister for Health quoted AstraZeneca in the House on 1 September 2020, he omitted the company’s clarification that it had only signed a "letter of intent", and that "there are still many details to be confirmed"; and
(c) in contrast to Australia's one letter of intent, at least 17 countries have signed at least 49 supply agreements, covering at least six billion doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Minister for Health to lay on the table by no later than 9.30 am on Thursday, 3 September 2020, the so-called 'deal' with AstraZeneca referred to by the Minister for Health, and to explain to the House whether a single dose of any potential COVID-19 vaccine has been secured for Australia.
Leave not granted.
I move:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for McMahon from moving the following motion immediately:
That the House:
(1) notes:
(a) two weeks ago today, the Prime Minister and Minister for Health claimed to have signed a COVID-19 vaccine supply deal with AstraZeneca;
(b) when the Minister for Health quoted AstraZeneca in the House on 1 September 2020, he omitted the company’s clarification that it had only signed a "letter of intent", and that "there are still many details to be confirmed"; and
(c) in contrast to Australia's one letter of intent, at least 17 countries have signed at least 49 supply agreements, covering at least six billion doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Minister for Health to lay on the table by no later than 9.30 am on Thursday, 3 September 2020, the so-called 'deal' with AstraZeneca referred to by the Minister for Health, and to explain to the House whether a single dose of any potential COVID-19 vaccine has been secured for Australia.
If there is a deal, the government should welcome this debate. They should embrace this motion. They should love this motion.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
9:33 am
I move:
That the Member be no longer heard.
Tony Smith Speaker
The question is that the member for McMahon be no further heard.
Linda Burney Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services
I second the motion. Just admit it! There is no deal. There is no deal—even AstraZeneca is saying that. A letter of intent is not a deal.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
I move:
That the Member be no longer heard.
Tony Smith Speaker
The question is that the member for Barton be no further heard.
Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training
9:46 am
They're all spin and no substance. They're all photo-op and no follow-up.
Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
I move:
That the question be now put.
Tony Smith Speaker
9:49 am
The question now is that the motion moved by the member for McMahon be disagreed to.