The Greens say the suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine roll-out in South Africa shows the need for the government to establish a publicly-owned mRNA vaccine manufacturer in Australia.

Australia needs to be nimble and able to quickly adapt vaccines to ever-mutating strains of COVID, which would only be possible with a local, publicly owned facility that puts health, not profits, first.

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said:

Greens Leader Adam Bandt and Health spokesperson Dr. Richard Di Natale have called on the Morrison government to drop the spin and take real action on a COVID Vaccine.

The Greens say the government’s “big announcement” of a vaccine deal with AstraZeneca has turned out to have little substance and the government has also failed to join the COVAX global vaccine initiative despite the Prime Minister saying the world needs to share the vaccine.

Quotes attributable to Greens Leader Adam Bandt:

The Australian Greens have called on the government to establish publicly funded vaccine manufacturing capacity in Australia to ensure any COVID19 vaccine is available to all Australians.

A recent Defence science technology report outlined in today’s media has warned of a shortage in vaccines in Australia during a pandemic because of the lack of production capacity in Australia.

Media release: Greens launch science and research policy

Greens science, research and innovation spokesperson Adam Bandt MP will today launch the Greens’ policy to put Australia on a pathway to reaching 4% investment of GDP in science, research and innovation. Mr Bandt launched the policy today in his electorate at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Australia’s oldest medical research institute.

Greens slam Liberals for continuous attacks on research and academic freedom

Greens science and research spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today slammed the Liberals for their continued attacks on research and academic freedom. Mr Bandt said actions of Minister Birmingham and his successor, Minister Tehan, show the contempt with which the government holds the science and research community.

“The Liberals anti-science and anti-research agenda started with Tony Abbott and has continued long after his departure,” said Mr Bandt.

Innovation and Science statement dead in the water under an anti-science government: Bandt

Greens spokesperson for Science, Research & Innovation, Adam Bandt MP, today applauded the ambitious plan released by Innovation and Science Australia but said that trying to foster innovation under an anti-science, anti-education government is like politely asking Pauline Hanson to stop being a racist.

CSIRO needs to sever ties with Minerals Council: Bandt

The CSIRO must immediately cancel its paid membership of the Minerals Council, Australian Greens science and research spokesperson, Adam Bandt, said today. CSIRO should not be a member of a climate denying lobbyist group, Mr Bandt said.

The FOI requests made by the Australia Institute and released today show that the CSIRO pays at least $10,000 in Associate Membership fees to the Minerals Council of Australia.

Quotes attributable to Mr Bandt: