Biosecurity

The majority voted against the following motion introduced at the request of Tasmanian Senator Alex Antic (Liberal), which means it failed. Note that despite Senator Antic introducing this bill and voting "yes", the rest of the Liberal Party voted "no".

Motion text

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Industry and Innovation, the Minister for Science and the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than midday on Monday, 27 July 2026:

(a) all documents held by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and the Office of National Intelligence from 1 January 2010 to the present, relating to:

(i) Australian participation in, funding of, collaboration with or oversight of overseas high-containment biological laboratories, biological threat reduction programs, pathogen research programs including gain of function research or dual-use biological research,

(ii) agreements, contracts, grants, memoranda of understanding, funding arrangements, scientist exchanges, training programs or joint research projects between Australian entities and foreign governments, foreign government agencies or foreign entities conducting or funding high-containment pathogen research,

(iii) assessments, briefings, reports, correspondence, intelligence products, biosafety reviews, biosecurity reviews or risk assessments relating to gain of function research, dual-use research of concern, enhanced potential pandemic pathogens or pathogen enhancement research conducted in connection with such programs, and

(iv) reviews, audits, inquiries or investigations conducted since 2020 concerning Australia's knowledge of, involvement in or collaboration with, international pathogen research networks; and

(b) for each document that is captured by the order and withheld under a public interest immunity claim, an indexed schedule which lists the name (or a short description of the document if untitled), date and type of the document as well as an explanation of the basis on which the document is withheld.