Senate debates

Tuesday, 12 May 2020

Questions without Notice

COVID-19: Defence

2:45 pm

Photo of Linda ReynoldsLinda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Again, thank you very much, Senator Paterson, for that question. The men and women of our Defence Science and Technology group are without a doubt some of the smartest and most capable men and women in the world, and I'm extremely proud of the contribution that our Defence scientists have made, contributing their expertise and their smarts to researching COVID-19 virus and also for mitigation activities. Defence has partnered with a South Australian company, Axiom Precision Manufacturing, to rapidly produce a new face shield, boosting the supply and also expanding local industry capability. Our Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro, is leading a rapid response group aimed at repurposing existing non-invasive ventilators and turning them into invasive ventilators. Defence is also researching the virus' survivability on a range of different surfaces, and we're doing that in conjunction with a range of international partners. These are just a few examples of what Defence Science and Technology group is doing. (Time expired)

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