As reports of vaccine injuries gain traction globally, an Australian doctor is leading a new class-action lawsuit against the federal government and key medical figures.
Queensland Dr. Melissa McCann has filed the lawsuit in the Federal Court of Australia on behalf of 500 complainants.
The action targets the federal government, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brendan Murphy, and John Skerritt, the public face of the Therapeutic Goods Administration—the country’s drug regulatory body.
“The action will argue that the Therapeutic Goods Administration [TGA] did not fulfil their duty to properly regulate the COVID-19 vaccines, resulting in considerable harm and damage to Australians,” Natalie Strijland from NR Barbi Solicitor said in a statement.
The lawsuit claims that the government’s actions in promoting the use of COVID-19 vaccines were “negligent or wrongful” and resulted in personal injury, medical expenses, and economic loss for the claimants.
“The claim now proceeds upon the basis that the government, in fact, acted negligently in approving the vaccines and also by failing to withdraw them after approval based upon the known evidence,” Strijland said.
“Australians who have experienced a serious adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination are invited to step forward and register for this class action.”
Liberal Sen. Gerard Rennick—a vocal critic of vaccine mandates—welcomed the action.
“Thank you to Dr. Melissa McCann and the solicitors that have taken up the fight to help those affected and still suffering,” he wrote in a statement.
“It is disappointing, to say the least, that people are not being compensated or receiving the healthcare they now need due to these experimental jabs which were, as we now know, never designed to be safe or effective.”
Vaccine Injury Payouts Ongoing
The Australian government operates a vaccine injury compensation scheme that has, thus far, paid out more than AU$7.3 million (US$4.87 million) to 137 claimants. It has received 3,501 applications and is progressing with 2,263, according to figures obtained by News.com.au.
The Department of Social Services has previously estimated the government could be liable for a payout of AU$77 million (US$49.35 million).