Foreign Minister Marise Payne will push for an independent, international review of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling on China especially to be upfront.
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"I think the key to going forward in the context of these issues is transparency," she told ABC television's Insiders program on Sunday.
"Transparency from China most certainly. Transparency from all of the key countries across the world who will be part of any review that takes place."
China has been accused of a lack of transparency after the coronavirus broke out late last year in its city of Wuhan.
Senator Payne said an independent review should identify the genesis of the virus, the approaches to dealing with it, and addressing the openness with which information was shared.
It should also look into the interaction with the World Health Organisation and the actions taken with international leaders.
Asked if the WHO - which has also faced criticism for its handling of the pandemic - should conduct the review, the minister said: "No ... that strikes me as a bit poacher and gamekeeper."
Opposition frontbencher Chris Bowen said Labor supports an independent review.
"It is now incumbent on Minister Payne to make that a reality. As Australia's first diplomat, I imagine and hope she is engaging with her colleagues to bring that about."
Senator Payne was pressed several times whether she trusts China.
"I trust China in terms of the work that we need to do together," she said.
"The issues around the coronavirus are issues for independent review, and I think that it is important that we do that. In fact, Australia will absolutely insist on that."
She believes relationships all around the world will change once the pandemic has passed, including that between Australia and its number one trading partner China, although she said she doesn't have a "crystal ball" to say to what extent.
"This is very much an unfolding situation," she said.
Mr Bowen was also quizzed on the question of trust in China.
"Trust is something that is earned and something constantly reinforced by good actions and by full accountability," Mr Bowen said.
"Looking back ... could China have done more in relation to accountability and transparency earlier in this crisis? Yes."
Senator Payne has also raised concerns about a Royal Australian Air Force plane that was prevented from landing with much-need supplies to cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu earlier this month because a Chinese plane was blocking the runway.
Instead, it had to land the next day.
"We have raised our concerns with officials in Vanuatu and in appropriate places with the Chinese government," Senator Payne said.
"I don't know whether it was deliberate or not. I wasn't there. But what is most important is that ... countries like Australia and New Zealand working together, and others in the region, are able to support our Pacific neighbours in the way that is so important now."
Australian Associated Press
