Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Siewert, move:

That the Senate calls on the Government to:

(a)   develop a publicly owned manufacturing facility that enables Australia to produce mRNA vaccines and drugs locally;

(b)   continue to diversify Australia's vaccine portfolio by securing a deal with Moderna;

(c)   increase Commonwealth Serum Laboratories' capacity to produce Novavax at the same time as AstraZeneca given the promising results from Phase 3 clinical trials;

(d)   ensure that vaccines are given to maximise their efficacy; and

(e)   support our neighbours in the Pacific region to have timely and adequate access to COVID-19 vaccines recognising none of us are safe until all of us are safe.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I wonder if you could put the sections of the motion separately or separate part (a).

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm happy to comply with that request. The question is that clause (a) of the motion be agreed to.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government has secured more than 150 million doses, enough to supply the entire Australian population several times and one of the highest rates in the world. The government has procured vaccines using a diversified portfolio strategy based on the expert advice of the Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group, led by Professor Brendan Murphy. We've also secured further vaccines through the Covax Facility, giving Australia access to additional vaccine candidates. The Australian government is also providing $500 million to support access to vaccines for our partners in the south-west Pacific and South-East Asia.

CSL has advised that any attempt at simultaneous production is not possible without compromising delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Producing mRNA vaccines at scale is a brand-new challenge that the entire world is grappling with. It will take time to develop properly. An audit has identified some companies in Australia with mRNA production capability, and we are currently working with them to explore if that capability could be scaled up in the future.

Stirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask that parts (b) and (c) also be put separately.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I shall do so, Senator Griff. So the question is that clause (a) of the motion be agreed to.

Question negatived.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask that the Greens be recorded as having voted aye.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that clauses (b) and (c) of motion No. 1014 be agreed to.

The question is that clauses (d) and (e) of motion No. 1014 be agreed to.

Question agreed to.