The Australian Government’s Response to COVID-19
The COVID-19 crisis has changed the way of life in Australia – households, businesses, communities and industry have been severely affected. The crisis has also affected our neighbours, creating an enormous challenge for countries across the Indo-Pacific, including Mauritius.
Australia is working with partners at home and overseas to support sectors through the crisis and emerge stronger on the other side. Australia acted quickly to introduce measures to combat the spread of the virus and to support the Australian economy, jobs and people. Australia designed and implemented these measures in close consultation with state and territory governments and business and community groups. Australians have supported this approach, overwhelmingly complying with restrictions. This has kept Australia safe.
Like Australia, many countries are implementing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing, lock-downs, travel bans and other restrictions. While certain restrictions are necessary, governments must ensure COVID-19 emergency measures comply with international human rights obligations. These measures should be proportionate, transparent, non-discriminatory and temporary.
On 8 May, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Chief Medical Officer released a three-stage COVIDSafe Australia roadmap for the gradual process of winding back COVID-19 restrictions
More than 5 million Australians have installed the voluntary COVIDSafe app to assist with early alert and finding of people who may have been in contact with a person diagnosed with the virus. Australia has had great success in flattening the curve, thanks to its strong health system, high levels of public support for public health measures and the highest reported detection rate in the world.
The Government is supporting Australia’s economic recovery through a $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund including:
- the $110 million International Freight Assistance Mechanism to keep Australian produce flowing overseas
- an extra $49.8 million injected into the Export Market Development Grants program to help Australian exporters and tourism businesses
- the $500 million COVID-19 Export Capital Facility to give Australian exporters access to business-saving loans; and
- $4.9 million to establish ten export hubs supporting small and medium sized Australian businesses to tap into new international markets.
Australia continues to emphasise the importance of strong international cooperation to overcome this global crisis, and will continue to do its part. This includes maintaining open and connected supply chains so countries can access medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, and so free and open international trade can continue. Australia is advocating that emergency COVID-19 trade measures be targeted, transparent and temporary.
A key priority is the development of an effective vaccine, affordable and easily accessible to all, and Australia has committed AUD352 million towards that global effort. Australia’s top scientists are working with international partners to research, develop and test vaccines and treatments.
Australian officials have worked around the clock to help Australians to return home as well as support international students in Australia to continue their studies.
As Australia enters the next phase of the pandemic, success is about more than just low case numbers. We want life to go back to normal as much as possible. As Australia continues to supress the virus, authorities are gradually easing restrictions so people can return to work and their daily lives, and so borders can eventually reopen. This is imperative for Australia’s economy and the functioning of society. Australia’s AUD320 billion economic package is supporting Australian workers, households and businesses through this difficult time, and will position the Australian economy to recover strongly once the health challenge has been overcome. Australia looks forward to the near future, when it can safely welcome tourists, international students, business partners and friends from around the globe – including from Mauritius.
Lastly, as Australia recovers, we want to share lessons, and learn from others. That is why Australia supported an independent review of the COVID-19 outbreak to clarify the facts around its genesis, global spread and the WHO’s response. An honest and independent assessment of events will be critical as we emerge from the pandemic and seek to improve our response to future crises. The Australian Government has welcomed the resolution from the World Health Assembly on 19 May committing to an impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation into COVID-19, at the earliest appropriate moment to review the lessons learned from the international health response coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO).