Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News

Russell Broadbent challenges Australian dependence on WHO and pushes for autonomous emergency responsesRussell Broadbent questions Australia's reliance on WHO decisions in health crises, advocating for national autonomy in emergency responses, querying heavy funding and potential control shifts. By news@gippsland - 1st December 2023 - Back to News When the pandemic arrived on our shores in early 2020, we didn't know what to expect. But did you know that Australia had recently updated its Pandemic plan in August 2019? So, in fact, we were well prepared. This plan was founded on 100 years of pandemic experience and tailored to the Australian context. But what happened next, was not in that plan. Large-scale lock downs and school closures, mass vaccinations and masking, all these were not in the plan. 
According to Broadbent, Australia's response, influenced by global advice, didn't always serve its interests. Concerns arise over WHO's potential control in future health emergencies Pandemic response concernsOur pandemic plan was effectively tossed in the bin! Australia's response seemed to copy other countries or was based on advice from the World Health Organisation - the WHO. However, many of the actions taken were not always in the best interests of Australia. Do you think an international body is best placed to make decisions for Australia? I don't. But that's exactly what's being proposed as part of 307 International Health Regulation amendments which would see a future health emergency potentially controlled entirely by the WHO. How is that best for Australia? Yesterday I wrote to the Minister for Health expressing concern as to whether the amendments have been appropriately scrutinised by the government. WHO funding concernsSince 2012, Australia has allocated over $212 million to the World Health Organisation. And recently Minister Penny Wong announced the government would provide a further $100 million over the next five years! Why are Australian taxpayers funding the World Health Organisation to take control of our emergency health response? Surely Australia is capable of doing this ourselves? Our own national interest must guide all future health responses. Pictures from Russell Broadbent MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com

Related Articles- David Littleproud urges Australians to support local farmers amid rising imported food and supermarket pressures
Nationals Leader David Littleproud urges Australians to buy local food as farmers face soaring costs, supermarket pressures, and rising imports, warning inaction threatens food security and the future of Australian agriculture. - Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement. - Gippsland Water launches Community Emergency Support Team to assist and support locals during emergencies
Gippsland Water has launched a Community Emergency Support Team to provide safe water, information, and local assistance during bushfires, floods, storms, and power outages, working alongside emergency services and communities. - Melina Bath urges Labor government to scrap emergency services tax as VFF survey shows farmers' frustration and concern
The Nationals' Melina Bath urged the Allan Labor government to scrap the emergency services tax, citing VFF survey findings showing widespread financial, mental, and regulatory pressures on Victorian farmers. - Gippsland showcases energy transition leadership to Australian Energy Infrastructure commissioner
Gippsland showcased its clean energy transition during Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Tony Mahar's three-day visit, highlighting coal, gas, wind, solar, storage, and community collaboration driving Victoria's evolving energy future. - Bass Coast launches energy resilient hubs and emergency dashboard to strengthen community preparedness and recovery
Bass Coast Shire Council has launched Energy Resilient Community Hubs and an Emergency Dashboard to boost preparedness, strengthen local resilience, and keep communities safe, connected, and supported during emergencies and power outages. - Tim Bull slams government’s restrictive, confusing emergency levy exemptions failing CFA volunteers across Gippsland
Tim Bull says the government’s flawed levy exemptions are too complex and restrictive, leaving CFA volunteers frustrated, excluded, and unsupported, and is urging the Minister to simplify the process. - East Gippsland Shire backs $15M Bairnsdale Airport upgrade to boost emergency response and healthcare services regionally
East Gippsland Shire Council has backed a $15 million Bairnsdale Airport upgrade, extending the runway to boost emergency response, healthcare services, and regional aviation, supported by government funding and health agencies. - Labor under fire as Treasurer dodges questions on cuts to vital frontline emergency services jobs
Labor faces backlash over emergency services job cuts, with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes denying losses despite reports of hundreds axed. Nationals accuse Labor of financial mismanagement, risking regional safety and environmental protection. - Tim Bull urges reflection and respect on Remembrance Day honouring all Australian servicemen
Tim Bull urges all Australians to honour veterans and current servicemen, reflecting on their sacrifice, courage, and service, while supporting commemorative events and ensuring no veteran is ever forgotten. - Farmers warn Woolworths' green-and-gold Hillview butter misleads consumers and undercuts Australian dairy
Australian dairy farmers warn Woolworths' green-and-gold Hillview butter misleads consumers, undercuts local producers, and risks jobs, as imported US butter competes with declining domestic dairy production. - Martin Cameron questions Labor government for denying regional crime crisis and the ongoing failures of 'Bail Laws'
The Nationals' Martin Cameron has accused the Allan Labor government of failing Victorians with weak bail laws, after repeat offenders continue to walk free and regional crime remains out of control.
|
|