House debates

Wednesday, 2 September 2020

Motions

COVID-19: Vaccine

9:31 am

Photo of Chris BowenChris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | | Hansard source

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.

9:33 am

Photo of Dan TehanDan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the member for McMahon be no further heard.

9:42 am

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Is the motion seconded?

Photo of Linda BurneyLinda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | | Hansard source

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.

Photo of Dan TehanDan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Member be no longer heard.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the member for Barton be no further heard.

9:45 am

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the motion be agreed to.

9:46 am

Photo of Tanya PlibersekTanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

They're all spin and no substance. They're all photo-op and no follow-up.

Photo of Dan TehanDan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the question be now put.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the question be now put.

9:49 am

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The question now is that the motion moved by the member for McMahon be disagreed to.