Australian Government Urged to Provide ‘Open and Robust’ Debate on WHO Pandemic Treaty

MELBOURNE, Australia—The Albanese government is being urged to provide public and parliamentary debate on the proposed pandemic treaty following concerns Australia could cede sovereignty under the legally binding global treaty. This comes just days before the 194 World Health Organisation (WHO) member states convene at the 77th World Health Assembly meeting on May 27 to discuss the world’s first pandemic agreement. This also follows the publication of an open letter by 14 Australian politicians who have asked the prime minister not to sign the treaty. “If adopted, and implemented into Australian domestic law, the World Health Organisation will hold an unacceptable level of authority, power, and influence over Australia’s affairs under the guise of declaring ‘emergencies,’” the letter reads....