Coalition of 62 nations backs Australia’s push for COVID-19 probe, by Ben Packham.

A global coalition of 62 nations has come together to back Australia’s call for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus in a draft resolution to be put to the World Health Assembly on Tuesday.

The Australian has obtained an updated version of the motion which includes toughened language from an earlier European Union version, and is backed by key nations including India, Japan, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Indonesia, Russia, Mexico and Brazil, and all 27 EU member states. …

While the United States is not a co-sponsor of the motion, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged all countries to join Australia’s call for answers on how the pandemic was triggered.

Australia has been steadfast in its calls for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic since April 19, when foreign Minister Marise Payne first revealed Australia would push for the review in a move that sparked a diplomatic and trade backlash from China.

Scott Morrison said last week the proposal was “completely unremarkable”, and should not cause tensions with Beijing.

“We are standing our ground on our values and the things that we know are always important,” the Prime Minister said.