![]() ![]() "These contracts contain important information on 'best effort' manufacturing, march-in rights … liability, delivery schedules, licensing arrangements for further manufacture at scale, and more," Mr Hayman said. Mr Hayman also said the vast public expenditure on these contracts justified a much clearer understanding of how the deals were struck, and their terms. Other critical documents relating to Australia's response to the COVID-19 have also been kept secret. "There is no merit in using a national security argument for keeping the vaccine contract hidden from public sight," he said. Gavin Hayman, the executive director of global advocacy group Open Contracting, said Australia's blanket suppression of the deal was striking and at odds with other nations. "The integrity and efficacy of the arrangements to manufacture and supply the vaccine may be compromised and thereby pose a threat to the national security of the Commonwealth if those terms were published."Ĭatch up on the latest COVID-19 news here National security 'best served by building public trust' "Releasing the information in would have the effect of signalling to other countries the terms agreed between the Commonwealth and AstraZeneca. "I consider the particular damage to the security of the Commonwealth to be the fact that disclosure of the information could provide insight into the unique arrangements for the manufacture and supply of the COVID-19 vaccine," the assistant secretary wrote. Contact Paul Farrell using the Signal secure messaging app on +61 434 756 994 or at assistant secretary with the COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce in the Department of Health wrote that there would be a "real and substantial risk to national security" if the contract were released.One of the grounds for denying access was because it could damage Australia's national security. When 7.30 sought the contract under Freedom of Information laws, it was refused access to the contract in full. While the government has published a letter of intent, the contract with the organisation - which is likely to amount to more than $1 billion of taxpayer funds - has never been released. The total value of Australia's five vaccine deals is more than $5 billion in taxpayer funds.īut much about the deal with AstraZeneca is unknown. The AstraZeneca vaccine was relied on heavily as part of Australia's initial vaccine plan, with plans for 50 million doses to be manufactured locally under a deal struck with the international pharmaceutical company. Australia's vaccine rollout faced one of its most difficult weeks last week, as many states across the country re-entered lockdown and tension between the states and federal government grew over vaccine supply issues and debates over the AstraZeneca vaccine. ![]()
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