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I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Bunurong peoples of the Kulin nation and pay my respects to Elders past and present. I extend that respect to First Nations people with us today.
May I also acknowledge the Governor of Victoria, Professor Margaret Gardner, the Hon Jacinta Allan – Premier of Victoria, Senator Jess Walsh, Senator for Victoria, Dr Carina Garland MP, Member for Chisholm, and senior representatives of Monash University and Moderna.
Today’s opening of the Moderna Technology Centre here at Monash University represents a giant leap forward for Australia.
The opening this facility makes Australia one of very few countries in the world – and the first country in the southern hemisphere – with the capability of end-to-end manufacturing of mRNA therapies.
This facility is the product of a three-way partnership between the Australian Government, Victorian Government, and Moderna.
The 10-year partnership signals Moderna’s long-term commitment to advancing our vaccine manufacturing capability and supporting Australia to develop and produce the next generation of medical technology.
We must acknowledge the efforts of the former Australian Government for its work to negotiate the deal and form the partnership that has made this groundbreaking facility a reality.
As the independent COVID Inquiry Report told us, when the COVID-19 pandemic started, the leaders of the day didn’t have the tools in the toolkit that they needed.
We didn’t have a comprehensive pandemic plan.
We didn’t have a CDC – a Centre for Disease Control.
And we didn’t have the sovereign capability to manufacture the critical components of a successful pandemic response.
Like the latest vaccines.
Last month the Albanese Government announced we would commit $251 million to establish the Australian Centre for Disease Control, to become that single national, authoritative source of expert advice.
The CDC will be a critical tool in the toolkit for Australia’s leaders, long into the future.
With the opening of today’s Moderna facility here in Melbourne, we secure another tool in that toolkit for the next pandemic.
Because there will be a next pandemic.
The facility has the capacity to produce up to 100 million doses of locally made vaccine in a pandemic response scenario.
It is a major step forward in helping protect Australians against future pandemics, while supporting local industry.
The Australian Government will have the choice to access respiratory vaccines from the facility and provide assurance to maintain the facility’s pandemic preparedness.
With this facility, Australia will be less dependent on imported mRNA vaccines during a pandemic.
We will be less vulnerable to supply disruptions or delays caused by global events, a resurgence of COVID-19 infections, or a new pandemic.
The benefits of this facility extend beyond pandemic preparedness.
The partnership will also support Monash University’s collaborations with Australia’s world-class research organisations, like the Doherty Institute, the Burnet Institute, and the University of Queensland.
It means the creation of highly skilled local jobs, data partnerships, joint ventures, clinical trials, and workforce development long into the future.
mRNA technologies have the potential to transform many areas of medicine, from respiratory infections like influenza or RSV, to cancers that were previously thought to be untreatable.
Around the world, we are pouring billions of dollars in research funding into mRNA technologies, including into Australia’s world-class health and medical research industry.
The race is on to discover the full potential of this technology.
This Moderna facility will become a major cornerstone in Australia’s capability to explore and exploit mRNA technologies.
I commend everyone involved in making today’s opening happen.