Anthony Galloway:
“…A group of Coalition backbenchers has called for a review of Australia’s funding to the World Health Organisation following Donald Trump’s decision to halt US financial support to the global body over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
The US President has announced a freeze on all payments to the WHO pending a review, accusing the United Nations offshoot of being too close to the Chinese government and “severely mis-managing and covering up” the threat.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday didn’t rule out reviewing the WHO’s performance once the pandemic was over, saying Australia did not rely on the world health body’s advice in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said Australia shared some concerns about the WHO’s management of the crisis.
“Australia is not going to cease funding WHO as we work extensively and well with the WHO in our region, in particular to support the health needs of Pacific Island countries and in South East Asia,” she said. “Concerns about the WHO’s management in Geneva should not detract from this important and life-saving work.”
The MPs’ push comes after The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on Wednesday revealed backbenchers from both major parties have called for the WHO to give membership to Taiwan, which has been blocked from joining by China.
Liberal MP Dave Sharma, a former senior diplomat, said Australia and other countries should undertake a global review into the WHO…”