ANNE STANLEY MP
OPPOSITION WHIP
MEMBER FOR WERRIWA

9 September 2021

HEALTH MINISTER REFUSED TO MEET WITH PFIZER

Anne Stanley MP, Member for Werriwa, has condemned Health Minister Greg Hunt and the Morrison Government for refusing to meet with Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer after an FOI shows a meeting was accepted without the health minster attending.

It has been revealed that as early as June 2020, Pfizer offered the Government millions of vaccine doses by the end of 2020, and millions more in 2021.

“I am beyond disappointed for our community with the latest revelations that vaccinations could have been in Australia more than 8 months ago.” Ms Stanley said.

“While countries such as the UK and the US were busy signing vaccine supply deals with Pfizer in July 2020, the Morrison Government ignored Pfizer’s request for urgent meetings.

“The fact that it was Pfizer who first wrote to the Government about vaccine supply, is a testament to the poor governance of the Morrison Government.

“On top of this, the Government rejected a Pfizer offer to meet with the Health Minister, and the Government rejected an offer to meet with senior members of Pfizer global leadership.

“It was made clear by Pfizer that they wanted to move quickly and provide millions of doses by the end of 2020.

“The Federal Government took a ‘wait and see’ approach that has cost Australia billions of dollars and thousands, if not millions, of livelihoods.

“It is poor leadership that has led to the nation-wide lockdowns, closure of businesses, loss of livelihoods and worst of all, the loss of lives.” Ms Stanley said.