Former Australian Prime Minister Says "Elderly Infected with COVID-19 Should Be Allowed to Die Naturally"

UK Think Tank 'Policy Exchange' States This in Speech

▲Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister of Australia [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sparked controversy by saying that "elderly patients infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) should be allowed to die a natural death."

On the 1st (local time), according to the British daily The Guardian, former Abbott made this claim during a keynote speech at the London think tank 'Policy Exchange,' criticizing Australia's COVID-19 policies, which do not consider the economic costs of lockdown measures, as "health dictatorship."

Former Abbott pointed out, "The government spends a staggering 200,000 Australian dollars (about 170 million KRW) to extend the life of one elderly person by one year," adding, "This is much higher than the amount the government usually pays for major treatments."

He continued, "There are not many politicians who think like health economists who ask uncomfortable questions about the level of death we must coexist with," and said, "We need to question whether the COVID-19 response measures are balanced."

He also cited the curfew order in Victoria, Australia, criticizing the state government for effectively placing 5.5 million Melbourne residents under "house arrest."

Former Abbott pointed out that the Australian government's response policy has shifted towards saving every life at any cost and sacrifice to keep COVID-19 from exceeding the healthcare system's capacity.

He also argued that not only the stop-and-go economic situation but also the lethargy among Australian youth caused by the pandemic is a major problem.

He said that among young people, there is a prevalent mindset of preferring to receive free government support rather than finding jobs themselves.

Former Abbott stated, "It is impossible to maintain government support for 40% of the entire workforce," and pointed out that the government is "accumulating unprecedented deficits since World War II and is facing an economic crisis derived from the response rather than the virus itself."

Meanwhile, on the same day, former Abbott avoided commenting on the recent possibility of his appointment as the UK trade envoy, saying, "It is not official yet," and expressed hope that "the UK and Australia will reach a trade agreement by the end of the year."

The Guardian analyzed that former Abbott's controversial COVID-19 remarks on the day have increased the political burden on UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who nominated him as a candidate.