Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate take note of the document.

I thank Minister Gallagher and Minister Leigh for taking this document discovery seriously and providing a considered and timely response. Parliament cannot review our handing of COVID-19 unless the data critical to that review is made available promptly and in clear detail. We had many problems with that with both the Queensland Premier and the previous prime minister. Failure to provide that data earlier has led to harmful speculation, which timely reporting would have prevented. I note in the minister's reply that the Australian Bureau of Statistics has now committed to a publishing schedule for health related data that has the effect of returning data disclosure back to pre-COVID turnaround times. Finally. At last.

The data provided in this discovery does indicate Australia's mortality rate is increasing substantially, and our birth rate is falling substantially—yet less than some commentators have been assuming. I believe in making accurate statements based on solid data, so further discussion on this matter should wait for the Causes of death, Australia 2021 publication, which I note, Minister, is due on 19 October. I thank the minister and the government for their attention to this matter, and I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.