Inquiry urged to find answers for future pandemics

The federal government will hold a commission of inquiry into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the nation’s peak body for public health says the inquiry should be about solutions, not blame.

Announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week, the 12-month inquiry will consider issues including provision of vaccinations, treatments and key medical supplies to Australians, mental health support for those afffected by COVID-19 and lockdowns, financial support for individuals and business, and assistance for Australians abroad.

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) has welcomed the inquiry, which will also include public consultations.

“We believe the inquiry should focus on finding solutions and learning lessons for the future,” PHAA chief executive officer Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin said.

“It should not be a legalistic nor political mechanism to find and attribute blame and seek retribution.

“The pandemic had a significant impact on every person in Australia.

“We must approach this process with openness and honesty, looking to determine what we did well, what we could have done better, and how we can improve our systems our processes to help protect the health of current and future generations of people in Australia.”

The PHAA also wants the inquiry to provide guidance into the scope, resources, and roles that can be played by the proposed Australian Centre for Disease Control.

“This is a once-in-a-100-year opportunity to get this new piece of public health architecture right,” Adj. Prof. Slevin said.

“It will need a clear scope, proper governance to ensure it is expert and independent and it will need proper resources to tackle the significant challenge.

“The challenge includes preparedness, leadership, and prevention of communicable diseases.

“It should also lead in the prevention of chronic diseases, which remain the slow-moving tsunami of health issues plaguing Australia.

“Let’s set out Australia’s future Highway to Health.”

According to its terms of reference, the inquiry will not consider any actions taken unilaterally by state and territory governments, nor international programs and activities assisting foreign countries.

Three independent panelists have been appointed to run the inquiry:

• Professor Catherine Bennett, Deakin University’s present chair in epidemiology and the University of Melbourne’s former Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Director of Population Health Practice
• Robyn Kruk who has a wealth of experience in government and in leading independent reviews, and
• Dr Angela Jackson, a health economist with extensive experience in economics and government, including through her previous role as lead economist for Impact Economics and Policy.

A taskforce within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet will support the panel, which will deliver its final report by September 30, 2024.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most significant global crisis that we have faced in decades,” Mr Albanese said.

“Its impacts are still being felt throughout Australia.

“This inquiry will look at the government’s responses and will give advice on what worked, what didn’t, and what we can do in the future to best protect Australians from the worst of any future events.”