Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision wilfully ignores states and territories, the jurisdictions where decisions in COVID years affected people the most.
it was imperative that the long-term effects on children being away from school, especially the mental health impacts, be investigated. Perrottet has joined health experts in calling for the inquiry to look into the impact on children. “We shouldn’t be concerned about looking into all decisions because we have a duty to examine what happened,” Perrottet said.
The need for state and territory involvement in an effective inquiry is patently obvious: they managed the hospitals and majority of aged care homes, closures of borders, schools and non-essential businesses, and ensured police oversaw compliance with lockdown laws and public health regulations; they called the shots on mask-wearing, reasons for leaving home, who could meet, COVID testing facilities, contact tracing and exercise limits.
The federal government had control of international borders, support payments, vaccine procurement, the most at-risk aged care homes and the Australian Defence Force. There were a few areas of overlap – such as hotel quarantine, cruise ships, vaccine rollout and mandatory isolation – but most Australians experienced the pandemic under state and territory provisions.
The Albanese government’s decision to hobble its own inquiry is bad and senseless policy. The states offer an easier and more cost-effective way of getting a holistic handle on the pandemic, and they should hold their own inquiries. They will not like it, but Canberra’s straitjacketed effort leaves little alternative.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Prime Minister expected to announce COVID-19 pandemic inquiryThe 12-month inquiry will examine the response to the health emergency by federal and state governments.
Read more »
Prime Minister announces COVID-19 pandemic response inquiryExperts will look into Australia's response to the pandemic, including vaccinations, treatments and financial support.
Read more »
Calls to question Albanese govt over 'pathetic' COVID-19 inquiryShadow health minister Anne Ruston called on Australians to question Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s inquiry into the former Coalition government’s response to COVID-19.
Read more »
Covid-19 inquiry will exclude state and territory decisions, Anthony Albanese saysInquiry headed by independent panel of experts will cover commonwealth pandemic response but exclude unilateral actions of states or territories
Read more »
UK Prime Minister delays net zero policiesUnited Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a series of major changes to the nation's green policies, including a delay in the ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
Read more »