14 Australian Politicians Urge Prime Minister to Reject WHO Pandemic Treaty

Fourteen Australian politicians have written a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asking the Labor government not to sign the upcoming World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic treaty. It comes as Australia prepares to take part in the 77th World Health Assembly on May 27, where member countries will decide whether to agree to a health accord with global implications. The WHO pandemic treaty, currently in its draft stage, is a legally binding agreement that requires member countries to “recognise WHO as the guiding and coordinating authority of international public health response” and follow the WHO’s directives during a health emergency. The initiative was introduced in 2021 and aims to streamline governance, supply chain, and various other interventions to deal with future pandemics....