Australia is positioning to lead the push for a review into the world's response to the coronavirus outbreak as it looks to be one of the first countries to exit the global pandemic.

Although the Morrison government has not yet committed to easing restrictions and is intent on preventing a second wave of COVID-19, it is turning its attention to reforming the World Health Organisation and its relationship with China.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne has called for a review into the world's coronavirus response. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Foreign Minister Marise Payne this week called for the review, urging China to allow transparency in the process and saying the organisation should run the inquiry. China has accused the United States of running a campaign of "smear and stigmatisation" that has politically manipulated other countries against Beijing and the WHO. China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday Australia should not "blindly follow" calls for a global inquiry.

The Morrison government is now exploring the possibility of the United Nations appointing an independent investigator to review the world's response to the pandemic, which would probe China and the WHO's handling in the early days of the outbreak.