A report in the Sun-Herald of 23 September 2007 claims that Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran has signalled that Victoria will receive priority in the allocation of equine flu vaccine shortly expected to arrive from France. This priority is contested by NSW Agriculture Minister Ian McDonald, who claims the greatest need for the vaccine is in NSW and Queensland.

If the Sun-Herald report is correct, Mr McGauran appears out of step with the provisions of Section 99 of the Constitution in implying that he has over-riding power to determine priorities as between States in allocation of available vaccine stocks.

Section 99 of the Constitution says:

"99. The Commonwealth shall not, by any law or regulation of trade, commerce, or revenue, give preference to one State or any part thereof over another State or part thereof."

Profound concern exists with respect to the thoroughbred industry throughout Australia, and it is to be hoped that available vaccine will be used in the most appropriate epedemiological manner, and if such an approach necessitates sharing as between responsible authorities, in this case State government ones, that such sharing be on an equitable basis.

If State and/or Federal funds are to be applied to assisting the thoroughbred industry overcome this disaster, it is doubly important that none of any such financial support ends up being diverted to effectively subsidising the requested three month exclusive access that has been sought over the Randwick Racecourse facility next year in association with World Youth Day. See: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/06/30/1966425.htm

With the racing industry out of action for an extended time while this outbreak of disease is hopefully brought under control, its not hard to see some misguided zealots having thought that this might be a good way of effectively funding that event, and its associated Papal visit, at taxpayers expense.

With the proximity of a Federal election, Peter McGauran and the Federal government would be well advised to believe that the community expectation is one of adherence to Constitutional propriety, rather than seeming disregard thereof.

Could it be that prevention in Victoria will stop the inevitable spread to the state or is it more important to stop the spread here so that Victoria is safe.
Either way this whole thing has far-reaching implications in peoples lives.
Why can't they get enough vaccine for all states.

Goddess,
It may well be that the manufacture of the correct strain of vacine is the limiting factor in how much is available initally.

The question of whether we use the first batch to contain the disease in one area or to protect another area is something I will leave to the disease control experts. Maybe it is six of one and half a dozen of another. Ths sooner more vacine arrives the better.

Actually, the first 20,000 vaccinations arrive in Australia on Thursday. Of those, 1,500 will go to Victoria to protect against the Spring Carnival, despite the fact Victoria has no cases of EI yet.

The remaining 18,500 are to be split evenly between QLD and NSW - yes, NSW has more horses infected, though no thoroughbreds in QLD have been infected at this stage and they want to safeguard against that.

A further 30,000 vaccinations are expected to arrive in Aust on the following Thursday, and there's plans to apply for 100,000 more.

The vaccines will be used in buffer zones - a total rollout isn't being considered at this stage. For my two bob, a total rollout would be a bad idea - it would mask symptoms and make it damn hard to control and would effectively be waving the white flag. Plus, it would be an ongoing cost for every horse in Australia.

Letshope it all gets fixed soon.
Imagine no Melbourne Cup.

i reckon its time they simply made the jockey's foot race.

every time i see a tumble and then someone comes out and puts down the horse..it just breaks my heart.