New Zealand backs 62-nation call for coronavirus origin inquiry

New Zealand is reportedly among 62 nations that have combined to back Australia’s call for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Australian newspaper reported it had obtained a draft resolution to be put to the World Health Assembly tomorrow which was backed by key nations including India, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Indonesia, Russia, Mexico, Brazil and all 27 European Union member states.

It demands World Health Organisation director-general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus “initiate at the earliest appropriate moment . . . a stepwise process of impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation” of the international response to the pandemic, the actions of the WHO and its timeline of the pandemic.

The Herald has sought comment about the resolution from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s office.

The paper reported that the international support would “infuriate” Beijing, which has previously threatened Australia with a Chinese consumer boycott over the pursuit of the probe by Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Government.

The assembly is being held today and tomorrow virtually because of travel restrictions. It will focus on coronavirus. The motion is due to be put forward tomorrow.

The reference to the WHO will also allow the body’s alleged slowness in responding to the pandemic to be examined, as well as its praise for China’s response despite Beijing’s concealment of the virus during the early weeks.