Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has told Sky News Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the government have been “massively vindicated” by the calls for an independent investigation into COVID-19 as a global coalition has formed in support of the move.
The Australian government believes China will not oppose a resolution on an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus ahead of a meeting of the World Health Assembly on Tuesday.
Sky News host Sharri Markson says the push from the global coalition of 62 nations has been outlined in a draft resolution which will put to the floor of the assembly on May 19.
“I don’t think it’s a bad day at the office when you get tens of other countries, major countries, coming in and joining us”. Mr Canavan said China’s reported decision not to oppose the inquiry “should be a routine course of action after a major health crisis”.
“Some of the conduct and some of the follow up from the Chinese government has raised a lot of questions about their handling of this”. Given there was at least “some cover up” by the Chinese government including the “repression of whistle blowers” within the medical profession, China’s response must be exposed according to Mr Canavan.
“That should be exposed, because exposure is the best way to make sure that doesn’t happen again”.