Coronavirus: Five Eyes better than one as allies out to crack corona

Members of the Five Eyes intelligence network are sharing the ­results of COVID-19 studies via a shadowy research organisation.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds revealed the research in a brief statement about the deployment of US Marines to the Northern Territory. Picture: Gary Ramage

Members of the Five Eyes intelligence network are sharing the ­results of COVID-19 studies via a shadowy research organisation that has also been involved in fighting child exploitation and ­terrorism.

The work is believed to be ­focused on whether the virus is more or less dangerous in hot climates such as Australia’s and what can be done to reduce the risks of transmission.

The Five Eyes network involves the intelligence agencies of the US, Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds revealed the research in a brief statement about the deployment of US Marines to the Northern Territory.

“Australian and US researchers, with the Five Nation Research and Development Council, are ­examining the survival of the virus that causes COVID-19 on various surfaces, and how it is impacted by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity,” she said.

The Defence Department said that, besides itself, the council involved the US Homeland Security ­Department, New Zealand’s Ministry of Business and Innovation, Britain’s Home Office, and ­Defence Research and Development Canada.

“The 5RD council was launched in 2018 as a mechanism to enhance communication on national security and public safety research and development,” a spokesman said. “5RD does not have a dedicated office — it meets via teleconference every six weeks. Information-sharing decisions are made by the 5RD council. The council leverages existing national work programs and has no additional budget or dedicated resources.”

ADF research is being conducted in partnership with CSIRO. A spokeswoman said the work also involved studying decontamination and deactivating the virus.

“Each country is conducting research on different aspects of virus survivability,” she said. “The work is still in its early stages. However, results will be shared more widely as they become available.”

A spokesman for New Zealand’s ministry of business and innovation said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s chief science ­advisory office, the NZ Health ­Research Council, and several other bodies were also involved in the Five Nation collaboration.

“The calls take place weekly and cover issues such as disinfectants on various surfaces, the effect of UV light, temperature, ­humidity, with participants ­discussing what each lab is currently working on/setting up/preliminary results,” the spokesman said.

The Five Nation group began in association with the Five Eyes pact, focusing on defence and intelligence activities. It was later expanded to support domestic safety and security in partner countries.