Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

From all of the evidence from the World Health Organization, from those who have been dealing with this and from the recent experiences in Nigeria and Senegal, both of whom have now effectively dealt with outbreaks and are now Ebola free, we know that it is passed on through person-to-person contact at a very highly infectious stage, which is generally towards the end stages, and that it is passed on through direct contact with bodily fluids. Two nations have already successfully dealt with this disease and, if we do get it, we know how we can prevent it and treat it. So it is entirely appropriate that we adopt a domestic focus and then a regional focus.

In relation to those opposite and their comments on our international support, I wholeheartedly endorse what this government is doing. The Minister for Health and our foreign affairs minister are dealing with this in a way that represents good government. They are not irresponsibly sending our personnel overseas when we cannot guarantee that, if they become infected, we can evacuate them. It is a 30-hour evacuation. The pods only have five hours of protection, so we need to have patients treated in a field hospital in-location, which does not yet exist. Even when it does, if the UK plan gets up, it will have bedding for 12. So, Senator Di Natale, if you would like to take your chances and head over to West Africa and provide some primary health care, just remember that we cannot evacuate you yet and look after you.