Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister For Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. Can the minister update the Senate on what steps the government is taking in relation to COVID-19 vaccine access in the Pacific and in South-East Asia?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Scarr for his question and for his interest.

The coalition government is determined to ensure that our closest neighbours have access to safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines. Today we announced that Australia will contribute $80 million to the Gavi Covax Facility Advance Market Commitment, or the AMC. The Covax Facility pools the purchasing power and risk for participating countries. It's going to help fast-track manufacturing and prepare the largest and most diverse portfolio of potential COVID-19 vaccines under development.

Importantly, when vaccines have completed full clinical trials and been assessed as safe and effective by the World Health Organisation they will be made available to eligible countries in our region. Australia is very proud to work with key partners in support of the AMC's aim of mobilising one billion vaccine doses for developing countries in the acute phase of the pandemic. In making this investment, Australia joins contributors including the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy and Norway.

We know that international investment in vaccine manufacturing and procurement is stronger when nations work together. I was very pleased during my recent visit to Washington to discuss Australia's commitment to supporting our region with the Gavi chair, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This investment builds on our efforts to secure safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for Australians. We know that our own security and prosperity are closely linked to that of our closest neighbours. When it comes to this pandemic, we are standing and will continue to stand together.

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

Senator Scarr, a supplementary question?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, how will support for COVID-19 vaccine access in the Pacific and South-East Asia support recovery in our region?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know that early access to vaccines will play a critical role in the economic recovery of our Pacific family and regional partners. The AMC itself will initially address, as I said, the acute phase of the pandemic, providing doses for up to 20 per cent of countries' populations. That includes healthcare professionals and vulnerable groups, including of course the elderly.

The Pacific countries that are eligible for support through Covax AMC include Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati. Eligible countries from South-East Asia are Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam. As we committed to when we announced our partnerships for recovery to respond to COVID-19, Australia's development assistance is focused on responding to our region's most pressing needs in the recovery from the pandemic.

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

Senator Scarr, a final supplementary question?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister advise the Senate about the government's focus on regional health security?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia's investment in the Covax AMC builds on our work with neighbours on health security in the Indo-Pacific. Our Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security delivers our health response in the region, particularly relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our contribution to the WHO's Pacific coronavirus response plan is helping Pacific countries to access medical supplies and to receive technical advice in areas such as infection prevention and control and in clinical management. We of course know that immunisation saves lives, which is why we were also pleased to announce our $300 million contribution to Gavi's broader vaccine initiatives in June.

Through all of Australia's international engagements—from the World Health Assembly to AUSMIN—working across government, we are delivering on our commitment to improving health security in our region.