At the last set of estimates I asked ASIO about the involvement of Australian Scientists and Universities in gain of function research and in particular why did Ed Holmes try to cover up the origins of Coronavirus on the instructions of Anthony Fauci.
It is worth noting that based on a prior FOI from my colleague Senator Matthew Canavan there are 17 universities involved in gain of function research in Australia.
Despite being funded by the Federal government, the Federal government doesn’t want to maintain any oversight or risk management of potential lab leaks.
I have written to the Health Minister asking that the Federal government takes the risk of gain of function research much more seriously.
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
23/05/2023
Estimates
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Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
Senator RENNICK: I note that earlier this year US President Biden signed into law a measure requiring the administration to declassify intelligence related to potential links between China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology and the COVID-19 pandemic, amid continued questions about the virus’s origins. I’ve asked you before whether or not ASIO is interested in looking at the origins of the virus, given the potential risk brought about by the fact that we have a number of universities conducting gain-of-function research here in Australia. Mr Burgess—or Minister Watt, you could answer this—is that something you will look at here, given that the US are now going to look at it?
Mr Burgess : ASIO is not looking at the origins of COVID from an intelligence point of view, because we’re looking at current threats to security. So we’re not looking at—
Senator RENNICK: Okay. I’m glad you’ve said that. So you’re looking at current threats. We’ve got universities conducting gain-of-function research, and I note at Sydney university, for example, a bloke by the name of Edward Holmes was one of the first people contacted by Anthony Fauci to look into the origins of the virus. He’s had FOIs requesting his emails, which Sydney university won’t release. I have a concern that there isn’t enough oversight of this particular threat, given what we went through with the whole COVID pandemic over the two years, be it lockdowns, lockouts or whatever. I’m flabbergasted at the fact that the government isn’t prepared to assess this risk here in Australia.
Mr Burgess : Sorry, the question is—
Senator RENNICK: The question is: why don’t you consider it a threat, given that there is a genuine risk of gain of function? It’s not necessarily because people are planning to do anything, but there is a risk. From a quality assurance point of view, I would have thought that there’d be controls around viruses getting out as a result of gain of function.
Mr Burgess : No, certainly I understand the question. We look at threats to security, and so we will look at capabilities—what people might actually use. We’re focused on individuals who, for whatever reason, want to do something that represents a threat to security, and the tool kit they can use. But COVID is not our focus at this point in time. We’re not seeing violent extremists or—
Senator RENNICK: And I’m not saying these people are extremists. What I’m saying is that there’s a risk. And they may have the best intentions in the world, but there’s a genuine biochemistry risk here that something could go wrong.
Mr Burgess : Sure, Senator, but a gun is also a risk, but I don’t look at who’s manufacturing guns. I look at people’s intent to use a gun to kill people.
Senator RENNICK: Okay. Let’s take it a step further, then. Sydney university employs Ed Holmes. He has had experience with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. He’s been over there in the past. Have you looked at, for example, whether there are links between Edward Holmes and Anthony Fauci? I note that the former NIH director has said that Anthony Fauci has lied about gain-of-function research in the past—they’re his words, not mine. So maybe there’s a profit motive driven about, because people are being paid to indulge in gain-of-function research.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: A point of order here, Chair.
CHAIR: Sorry, Senator Rennick. Give me one moment. Senator Shoebridge?
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: It’s not the place, budget estimates, to do character attacks, in this case on Professor Holmes, and to make allegations and impute that professor’s motives in circumstances where (a) it has no connection to the subject matter before us and ASIO and (b) Professor Holmes deserves fairer treatment from his parliament than this.
CHAIR: Thanks, Senator Shoebridge. As you’re fully aware, the committee does have a process to deal with adverse comments, and I’m sure we’ll take that opportunity. Senator Rennick, I just remind you—we seem to get into this bind quite often, you and I—of the relevance of your questions to budget estimates for ASIO.
Senator RENNICK: When I’ve got ASIO in front of me, the relevance to estimates is that, if we dropped a couple of hundred billion dollars dealing with COVID, and there are potential risks out there in gain-of-function research that no-one seems to want to actually address—
CHAIR: I think you might be misunderstanding. I mean relevance to this budget estimates in relation to this agency. I’m encouraging you to draw that relevance out in your questions. If Mr Burgess’s response is that it’s not relevant to the work he does, I ask that you accept that.
Senator RENNICK: Okay. So who is responsible for assessing the gain-of-function research here in Australia then if it’s not you?
Mr Burgess : Biosecurity is a matter for the department of agriculture.
Senator RENNICK: Okay, biosecurity, but that’s not actual university research.
Mr Pezzullo : Gain-of-function research so far as it relates to human biosecurity is a matter for the health minister under the relevant provisions of the Biosecurity Act, which otherwise the minister for agriculture actually administers—Minister, if you don’t mind me saying—under the administrative arrangements order. But the human biosecurity officer is the Chief Medical Officer who reports to the health minister. Gain-of-function research—and I understand the burden of your question relates to the safety of labs and the safety of that research conducted—
Senator RENNICK: Yes, that’s exactly right.
Mr Pezzullo : is a matter for the Health portfolio.
Senator RENNICK: Okay. Thank you.
