Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Back. Instability beyond our shores, including health challenges, affects our health services; our own economy and, in turn, our growth prospects; and, ultimately, our national interest. Some countries in our region are not as well prepared as they could be in managing emerging health threats and infectious diseases that cross borders very easily. As a responsible neighbour, we have an obligation to assist to help to protect our neighbours, which is, in turn, in our own interest to protect ourselves. Uncontrolled disease outbreaks can have large, long-term economic consequences such as suspension of trade and travel, and even small, uncontrolled outbreaks can have large effects, particularly in countries that rely on tourism. For example, the University of Melbourne looked at the large Ebola outbreak in the Asia-Pacific region, which indicates— (Time expired)