Writer
David Legge
David Legge is a scholar emeritus in the School of Public Health and Human Biosciences at La Trobe University in Melbourne and a founding member of the People’s Health Movement.
-
Health impacts of sanctions deleted from UN declaration on universal health coverage (with Australian support)
In the lead up to the high-level UN meeting on universal health coverage (UHC) Australia has joined the US, UK and the EU in blocking any acknowledgement that ‘unilateral coercive measures’ (sanctions) can have negative impacts on the achievement of universal health coverage. Continue reading »
-
Shadow boxing in the Universal Health Coverage debate
Shadow boxing around “universal health coverage” instead of “universal access to healthcare” in the UN General Assembly reflects deeper tensions around the direction of the world economy. Continue reading »
-
US Reforms of WTO dispute settlement: the ‘Rules-Based Order’ takes another hit
One of the more arcane developments in contemporary trade policy is the recently tabled US proposal for reform of the arrangements for managing trade disputes between members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It is a landscape marked by statistics, legal texts, and arguments. However, reflected in the microcosm is a wider universe featuring the Continue reading »
-
Stop preparing to participate in a US war against China
Dear Labor MPs, I write to convey my deep disappointment in the Labor Government, of which you are part, specifically in relation to the AuKUS submarine deal but more generally in relation to military strategy and foreign policy. Continue reading »
-
Genocide by big pharma. Millions will die
Big pharma is fiercely opposing measures to scale up production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world. This corporate genocide must be named. Stop protecting crooks. Continue reading »
-
Biden supports waiver on Covid -19 vaccines. Will Australia follow? New Zealand is ahead of us again.
Australia must fall in behind the US and New Zealand in promoting wider production of Covid-19 vaccines. Continue reading »
-
Australia assists Big Pharma to stall vaccine roll out.
As the Australian vaccine rollout languishes the Australian Government appears to value pharma profits over protecting people from Covid. Continue reading »
-
Vaccine nationalism: Australia votes to deny Covid vaccines to poorer countries
Australia, the US, the UK and the European Union are refusing to waive intellectual property rights to Covid-19 vaccines so developing countries can produce the vaccine locally. This refusal, in the face of vaccine hoarding by rich countries, is likely to cause millions more deaths. It is also short sighted because long delays in global Continue reading »
-
Covid vaccine claims 90% efficacy; Australia has bought 10 million doses
It was an exciting announcement for Covid-weary people everywhere – but while Scott Morrison has endorsed the importance of sharing vaccines, Australia voted to prevent developing countries from having the chance to build local production. Continue reading »
-
DEBORAH GLEESON & DAVID LEGG. Three simple things Australia should do to secure access to treatments, vaccines, tests and devices during the coronavirus crisis (The Conversation 21.4.20)
Patents and related intellectual property rights can present formidable barriers to procuring medicines, vaccines, diagnostic tests and medical devices. Continue reading »
