Why Is Australia Still Approving Gain-of-Function?

In this session with the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC), I pushed for a straight answer on whether it will conduct or drive research. The response I got? A “bit of yes and a bit of no”.

They admitted they’ll “participate” in research yet won’t actually do it. No beakers, no test tubes, just another layer of bureaucracy.

I raised the seriousness of gain-of-function research. I pointed out that the regulator hasn’t met since 2023, its website hasn’t been updated since 2024 and the body responsible for overseeing gene technology won’t even use the term “gain-of-function”, yet it’s still approving these projects.

When I asked whether the government would ban gain-of-function research, the Minister dodged yet again.

So, I made it clear – One Nation will ban gain-of-function research. It’s simply too dangerous to allow.

Transcript

Senator ROBERTS: Thank you for being here tonight. I refer to an answer by Ms Wood in the December 2025 estimates regarding the potential research function of the CDC. Your answer was very carefully worded. You said: The CDC won’t be … conducting research on matters that are in the remit of other organisations. The CDC is a complement to the Commonwealth public health capability. It will not be taking over or otherwise leaning in on research conducted by any other Commonwealth entities … That’s not a no. Can I have a clear answer, please? Will the CDC be conducting research or causing research to be conducted—yes or no? 

Mr McCormack: One of the functions for the CDC in our legislation is to advise on research requirements specifically as they relate to public health matters. We will be undertaking that, and we’re therefore an active participant in research. We are not researchers ourselves in the sense of producing primary evidence, though we are an expert organisation, and we would expect a number of our staff, through the course of their work, to be participating in research undertaken cooperatively with institutions such as universities et cetera. But we’re also not a funder of research. The principal funding mechanism for medical research in Australia is, of course, the NHMRC, complemented by programs administered by the department, including the Medical Research Future Fund. It’s not a question that necessarily provides for a very simple yes-or-no answer. It’s a bit of yes and a bit of no. We’re a participant. We’re not a principal researcher. We’re a supporter of research strategy. We’re not a significant funder of research.  

Senator ROBERTS: You’ll be participating in research, but you’re not researching.  

Mr McCormack: It’s not a simple yes-or-no thing.  

Senator ROBERTS: That’s right. I understand.  

Mr McCormack: We have a role in research under our legislation, but it’s not to be a prime driver of research.  

Senator ROBERTS: You haven’t got hold of the beakers and the test tubes.  

Mr McCormack: We do not have hold of the beakers and test tubes. No.  

Senator ROBERTS: A further part of that answer was that the Gene Technology Standing Committee oversees gain-of-function research through the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. The standing committee has not met since 2023, and their website was last updated in 2024. The website of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator does not mention gain-of-function research. The only time they have interceded on the topic was for medical research, where they defended and approved the application. I’m pursuing this line of questioning because gain-of-function research gave the world the MERS virus and the COVID virus. President Obama banned gain-of-function research funding in 2014 owing to lab mishaps with anthrax, smallpox and avian flu. Every time I ask this government about this topic, I get an evasive answer. The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator just approved a public trial of gain-of-function research that produced an influenza virus replica. Australia is doing gain-of-function research, and the regulator is approving it. Minister, will this government ban gain-of-function research?  

Senator Green: I don’t have anything to add to answers that, I assume, have been given to you over many estimates and the information given by the officials tonight.  

Senator ROBERTS: You won’t. One Nation would ban—will ban—gain-of-function research.  

Senator Green: It’s great to hear about your policies, because then we know exactly what the Liberal-National policies will be in a few months.