The coronavirus outbreak has got everyone on edge right now as the world rallies together in an attempt to fight the disease. Australia’s response to the pandemic hasn’t exactly been great (sending infected Aussies to Christmas Island to be quarantined is a tough sell to the public), but it seems like Scott Morrison is determined to turn a new leaf by pledging a chunk of change to vaccine development.
Speaking of the coronavirus, the GOAT team talk about the biggest talking points about the disease on ‘It’s Been A Big Day For…’ below:
Standing alongside Health Minister Greg Hunt at the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, Scott Morrison announced (via SBS News) that the federal government will put $2 million into a “competitive” program that will go towards the development of a coronavirus vaccine by Australian researchers.
Researchers around the country can apply for this money from the Medical Research Future Fund to help them develop a coronavirus vaccine, though details on how to do this will be confirmed in the near future. With work already being undertaken by the Doherty Institute, CSIRO and University of Queensland, this grant will add more much-needed resources to the efforts in fighting the disease.
There’s no denying this is a step forward from Scott Morrison in fighting the coronavirus and $2 million is no small change, especially when you consider the work Australian researchers have done already, such as recreating a lab-grown version of the disease in an attempt to find a vaccine.
However, when you consider the impact the coronavirus has had on everyone and everything, and the potential impact on the Australian economy, surely Scott Morrison can pledge more than a measly $2 million towards vaccine development.
Just for comparison’s sake, the U.K. government has pledged $39 million towards the development of a coronavirus vaccine (via CNBC) despite being well out of the way of the disease. But let’s not turn this into a pissing contest over who is putting up more money than whom.
The bigger point, however, is the coronavirus’ impact on the Australian economy. With travel bans in place and a noticeable drop in foot traffic across the country, the tourism industry is set for a painful period.
According to The Guardian, Cairns and Gold Coast operators have already lost $200 and $400 million in bookings respectively, and small businesses around Australia are getting hit by the coronavirus panic. Just take a walk through Chinatown and you’ll see more tumbleweeds than people.
The Guardian reports that retail sector and universities aren’t free from the coronavirus either. Retailers such as JB Hi-Fi may face big distruptions to their supply of electronic goods due to Chinese factories being forced to close down, while international students won’t be allowed into Australia to attend uni due to the travel bans in place.
And then there’s the difficulty of developing a coronavirus vaccine as it’s something that takes a lot of time and resources. Even with a global effort (which isn’t helped by China withholding info), the World Health Organisation says it may take 18 months before a vaccine is available. $2 million isn’t anything to scoff at, but it’s small change when considered alongside the grand scheme of things.
With so much on the line for Australia, it really makes Scott Morrison’s $2 million pledge pretty insignificant, especially when you consider all that talk about Australia’s budget surplus.
Surely the government can dip into its pockets a bit more change to fight a disease that’s literally got the world in a panic. Maybe all that moolah is all wrapped up in that “sports rort” scandal our PM is facing at the moment and he’s unable to spare any more for a coronavirus vaccine.
The Simpsons may have (apparently) predicted the coronavirus, but I doubt that anyone (or any TV show) would’ve expected how much of an impact it would have on tourism and the economy. But hey, $2 million is better than nothing and it’s preferable to see Scott Morrison’s government spend it on vaccine development than sports clubs in marginal seats.
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