Among the many lessons to be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the imperative of greater preparedness to deal with future viral pandemics and outbreaks of other diseases affecting large parts of the world.
The recent Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade strategy “Partnerships for Recovery – Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response” proposes a focus on health security, stability and economic recovery in the Indo-Pacific region. Here in Australia, we have an opportunity to draw on the leadership shown by federal and state leaders through the national cabinet to minimise the risk of future pandemics through integrated research and development across health, agriculture and the environment.
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Craig Emerson is managing director of Emerson Economics. He is a distinguished fellow at the ANU, director of the Australian APEC Study Centre at RMIT and adjunct professor at Victoria University’s College of Business.
John Anderson was deputy prime minister and leader of the National Party from 1999 to 2005. He hosts a politico-cultural podcast.
Colin Chartres is chief executive of the Crawford Fund and a former director-general of the International Water Management Institute.
