3rd Sep 2020, 10:03 AM – Representatives Motions - Covid-19 - Don't let a vote happen

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with a motion introduced by McMahon MP Chris Bowen (Labor), which means it failed.

This motion would have suspended the usual procedural rules - known as standing orders - in order to let another vote take place.

Motion text

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for McMahon from moving the following motion immediately—That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Member for Hughes and the Member for Dawson continue to claim that hydroxychloroquine should be used against COVID-19;

(b) these claims are contradicted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and Chief Medical Officer, who said in a press conference on 31 August 2020 that "the medical advice is it is not useful as a medicine" for COVID-19; and

(c) in the same press conference, when given an opportunity to support the Therapeutic Goods Administration and Chief Medical Officer, the Minister for Health instead supported the "people on many sides of this Parliament who will express individual views"; and

(2) commends the Therapeutic Goods Administration and Chief Medical Officer for accepting and promoting evidence, and urges the Minister for Health to do the same.