Scott Morrison is continuing to pitch for a global inquiry into the origins of coronavirus, believing he has support from the United Kingdom.
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The prime minister has spoken about the global pandemic with the Queen and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
"I was talking to Boris the other night - this thing almost killed Boris - and I can assure you he's pretty keen to understand what happened," he told 2GB radio on Wednesday.
Mr Morrison said the virus was most likely passed from an animal to a human at a wildlife wet market in Wuhan.
While there is nothing conclusive to support a United States theory it came from a Chinese laboratory, the prime minister said he can't rule the possibility out.
He said this emphasised the need for an independent inquiry into what happened and where.
"These are important questions and I don't intend to back off from asking them," Mr Morrison said.
He has written to all G20 leaders to ask support for the global inquiry, which China steadfastly opposes.
Health Minister Greg Hunt will also pursue the topic at the World Health Assembly on May 18, where Australia will vote for motions put forward by the European Union, paving the way for an inquiry.
Australian Associated Press
