Trade tensions will not derail Australia’s push for a COVID-19 investigation: Birmingham

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has refused to be drawn on whether he believes Beijing’s import ban on Australian abattoirs is connected to Australia’s push for a COVID-19 investigation. The Australian government was blindsided on Tuesday when Beijing imposed an import ban on four abattoirs - three in Queensland and one in New South Wales - which Beijing alleged violated inspection and quarantine requirements. “These are issues they say are unconnected, so it’s in the best interests of Australia’s farme