Thukar emphasized the need for multilateral solutions to problems but suggested putting the pandemic treaty on hold for now. Speaking at a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, emeritus professor Ramesh Thukar expressed concerns about the risks of over centralization and control by the World Health Organization under the proposed treaty. He called for a careful review of the treaty through open and robust public and parliamentary debates before moving forward.
Thukar highlighted the potential implications of granting the WHO director-general increased authority to impose measures such as vaccine mandates and border closures. He pointed out the need for thorough consideration and amendments to the International Health Regulations before finalizing the pandemic treaty. Thukar cited past instances, like the monkeypox emergency, to illustrate the importance of ensuring sound judgment in global health decisions.
While some experts have defended the WHO’s intentions and emphasized the non-binding nature of their recommendations, Thukar remained cautious about the potential impact of the treaty on national sovereignty. He urged for a closer examination of the treaty’s provisions to prevent any undue influence on member states. Thukar stated, “But with the new accords, he will not only be able to declare that emergency—once he does so on his own again—countries will undertake to do various things at his request.” WHO’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has previously stated, “We don’t want that power, and we’re not trying to get it.” Dr. Bloomfield was contacted for a response, but The Epoch Times did not receive a reply by press time.
Government Says Treaty Will Take Away Australia’s Sovereignty
During a Senate hearing in February, members from the Department of Health and Aged Care emphasized that the WHO had no legal authority to force member states to adopt any of its recommendations under the pandemic treaty. Malarndirri McCarthy of the Australian Labor Party, representing the Department, stated, “Australia has its own sovereignty in regards to making policy decisions around health for Australians and our borders. I don’t think I can be any clearer,” when questioned by One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts.
Additionally, the Health Department published a document (pdf) stating that changes to the International Health Regulations may create new international legal obligations for Australia. The document explains that any proposed changes to Australian law to implement amendments to the International Health Regulations would need to be considered and passed by Australia’s Parliament to become legally binding in the country.
Law Professor Augusto Zimmermann expressed that while most members of the legal profession do not believe that an international law, such as the pandemic treaty, is legally enforceable, it may prompt the federal government to trigger external affairs power in Section 51(29) of the Constitution. He mentioned at a press conference on May 11 that if the Albanese government signs the pandemic treaty, there will be a push for legislation, potentially leading to lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations.
The Prime Minister’s Office directed inquiries to the Department of Health and Aged Care, which did not provide a response by press time. Please rewrite this sentence.
Source link
