Canberra is considering co-funding a A$1bn biopharmaceutical plant to reduce its dependence on imports of critical medicines in the wake of Italy’s decision to block a shipment of Covid-19 vaccine to Australia.
It is also embarking on a diplomatic push to build a “coalition of countries”, including New Zealand, Japan, Norway and Canada, aimed at preventing the EU from obstructing vaccine exports.
Dan Tehan, Australia’s trade minister, said collective pressure would help Brussels “realise what they are doing is wrong”. He warned any delays to Australia’s access to vaccines would affect the wider Pacific region, where Canberra has committed to help immunise against Covid-19.