Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

This was raised at Senate estimates. A number of questions were asked to the department of health. It was made clear that Australia would retain sovereignty regarding public health policies, and that the WHO has no legal authority to force countries to accept any of its recommendations and is only really there to provide aid and assistance at members request.

Australia would retain our powers to make decisions on our own borders and on our own public health and social measures, so I think that should give people the assurance that it's Australia and Australia's response that will guide future planning and future responses to disease outbreaks. But there is a use and a purpose behind being able to access information and learnings from the international community which is represented through that World Health Organization.