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QUESTION ON NOTICE

Question:

21 November 2022

168. I note FOI 3717 pertaining to metallic particle contamination in Moderna vaccines has not been displayed in the FOI Disclosure log. I note in the correspondence dated 27/08/21 that someone (can’t tell because the TGA redacted it) was concerned about visual testing and the fact that the TGA was not looking at or analysing the contents of the vial. When exactly did the TGA start analysing vials and in what way? Were they analysing from the start? If not, why not?

Answer:

Question Number: 188
PDR Number: SQ22-000558
Date Submitted: 21/11/2022
Department or Body: Department of Health

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) can confirm that it analyses the contents of vaccine vials from each batch through batch release testing of the COVID-19 vaccines. Each batch of COVID-19 vaccine must undergo independent assessment by the TGA Laboratories before it is distributed. Every batch of all COVID-19 vaccines have been through the batch release process. The TGA Laboratories carry out a range of tests, including assessments for composition, identity, potency, purity and adventitious agents (contamination with microorganisms). Particulate contamination would also be detected. The results of testing are published on the TGA website, available at: www.tga.gov.au/batch-release-assessment-covid-19-vaccines.

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28/11/2022

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28/11/2022

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28/11/2022

1. According to the December 2020 update, Australia emitted 499 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to a 5 per cent decrease on 2019. Australia’s grasslands are estimated to be 440 million hectares and native forest 147 million hectares, a total of approximately 587 hectares. It is estimated forest and grasslands absorb between 0.5 and 2 tonnes of carbon per hectare. Assuming an average of 1 tonne of CO2 absorbed by these landscapes then isn’t Australia already at net zero? 2. Can the CSIRO provide a comprehensive roadmap of the work required for Australia to meet a 43% reduction in CO2 by 2030? This roadmap should set out the length of transmission lines, the number of transmission towers, the number of solar panels (for a given wattage), the number of wind turbines (for a given wattage), the number of batteries (for a given storage), the amount of lithium, copper, cobalt, nickel, concrete, and steel etc. needed to build the aforesaid generators and storage. It will need to include the amount of land needed for solar, wind, transmission, and storage products and the biodiversity offsets. Could the amount of CO2 required to build, recycle, or dispose of the aforementioned items also be included. Likewise, could the cost of building, recycling, and disposing of the aforementioned items also be clearly outlined. Biodiversity impacts such as increased tyre wear due to heavier batteries in cars, increased breaking distance on roadkill, impact on bats and birds from transmission lines and wind turbines, and removal of native flora and fauna due to land use should also be clearly outlined. 3. If the CSIRO cannot provide, can it state which department is responsible for maintaining and tracking the roadmap and refer the question onto them? 4. Could the change in Earth’s temperature as a result of Australia undertaking the 43% reduction in CO2 measures please be stated in order to ensure appropriate benchmarking and accountability if targets are not met? 5. Could the CSIRO confirm if every country uses the same methods to calculate CO2 emission and reductions? If not, why not? What guarantees are there under the Net Zero that Australia won’t be disadvantaged as a result of signing up to the Net Zero pledge?

23/11/2022

1. Can the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water provide a comprehensive roadmap of the work required for Australia to meet a 43% reduction in CO2 by 2030. This roadmap should set out the length of transmission lines, the number of transmission towers, the number of solar panels (for a give wattage), the number of wind turbines (for a given wattage), the number of batteries (for a given storage), the amount of lithium, copper, cobalt, nickel, concrete, and steel etc. needed to build the aforesaid generators and storage. It will need to include the amount of land needed for solar, wind, transmission and storage products, and the biodiversity offsets. Could the amount of CO2 required to build, recycle, or dispose of the aforementioned items also be included? Likewise, could the cost of building, recycling, and disposing of the aforementioned items also be clearly outlined? Biodiversity impacts such as increased tyre wear due to heavier batteries in cars, increased breaking distance on roadkill, impact on bats and birds from transmission lines and wind turbines, and removal of native flora and fauna due to land use should also be clearly outlined. 2. If the Department cannot provide, can it state which department is responsible for maintaining and tracking the roadmap and refer the question onto them?

21/11/2022

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21/11/2022

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