George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I am aware of those observations, and I think to conflate the two is a very foolish thing to do. These are very, very different problems. Of course they are very grave problems. But to conflate or to equate or to suggest an equivalence between these problems is a fool's errand.

The Australian government is making a significant contribution to the fight against Ebola. Australia will provide an additional $10 million to the international response to the Ebola disease outbreak. This will bring Australia's total contribution to the Ebola response to $18 million. That is in addition to the $40 million that Australia provides to the World Health Organization each year to support its global health activities. And, as I am sure Senator Di Natale knows, the World Health Organization prioritises its expenditure and has placed the fight against Ebola at the top of its priorities.

Australia shares the international community's deep concern over the Ebola outbreak and is responding to the United Nations' call for immediate funds through a newly established Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund. The United States is urgently seeking US$50 million from donors to meet immediate needs over the next four weeks, including for logistics to deliver equipment, materials and supplies to Ebola response operations; establishment and operation of care centres; and care, detection and contact training. Australia will be providing the funds I have mentioned—that is, the $18 million—in special grants immediately.