Covid inquiry: Mounting outrage over Anthony Albanese’s refusal to hold a Royal Commission into the pandemic and fears state governments’ will be let off the hook

There is growing outrage over Anthony Albanese’s new Covid inquiry, with critics claiming its ‘toothless and limited’ remit will hold state governments back.

On Thursday morning, the Prime Minister officially announced the inquiry into the pandemic, but stopped short of calling for a full Royal Commission, despite previously calling for one when Labor was in opposition.

The announcement sparked a backlash when it emerged the terms of reference found the “actions taken unilaterally by state and territory governments” were not within the scope of the inquiry.

This indicates that the inquiry will not scrutinize the devastating lockdowns and decisions by state premiers to implement the first state border closures since the 1919 Spanish flu pandemic.

Now Phillip Coorey, the respected political editor of the Australian Financial Review, has unleashed the Prime Minister, accusing him of ‘treating the Australian people like idiots’.

“(The announcement) was so completely dishonest and patronizing that the government would have more credibility if it had just completely broken its promise and done nothing,” He wrote.

Mr Coorey has particularly taken issue with the clause stating that the ‘actions taken unilaterally by State and Territory Governments’ should not be examined by the inquiry.

“That means that almost everything that continues to give people COVID nightmares — school closures, lockdowns, state border closures, vaccination mandates, botched contact tracing, and overzealous policing — is all off limits,” he wrote.

“These are the actions that have caused economic ruin, widespread heartache and mental health problems, and delayed the education of thousands of children.”

Liberal Party deputy leader Susan Ley previously branded the investigation a “sham” and claimed it “places the political interests of the Labor Party above the interests of all Australians.”

Phillip Coorey, the respected political editor of the Australian Financial Review, has unleashed the Prime Minister, accusing him of ‘treating the Australian people like idiots’ (stock image)

“Shielding Labor Prime Ministers from proper scrutiny shows how much of a sham this ‘investigation’ is,” she said.

Senator Ley appeared on Sunrise this morning, where she questioned Education Minister Jason Clare about the remit of the inquiry.

“This is the premier looking out for his colleagues at the state government level,” Senator Ley said.

“How can you have a study that doesn’t look at the whole of what this has done in a way that allows us to learn how to do better next time?”

Mr Chalmers defended the investigation, claiming that ‘the important thing here is that this should not be about blame’.

“Politicians did their best, whether it was Scott Morrison, Dan Andrews or Gladys Berejiklian,” he said.

‘I think everyone did their best. They didn’t do everything right, that’s for sure. They’ve made mistakes. But there was no rule book.”

Under Victorian Premier Dan Andrews (pictured), Victoria experienced one of the longest lockdowns in the world. The consequences of his decision-making are unlikely to be scrutinized by the new investigation

Mr Clare insisted the actions of state premiers would be examined by the inquiry.

However, Sunrise presenter Nat Barr called him out for the ‘weird’ reason why it wasn’t in the brief.

“It’s just interesting that it’s not written in the sense that you’re going to investigate state premiers,” she said.

“It just feels a little rubbery,” Barr added.

On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Albanese said at a press conference that it was ‘important’ that the Covid investigation take place.

“We said before the election and I have said since that given the enormous disruption, the stress, the loss of life and the economic impact of the pandemic – it is appropriate that when we reach a certain period, we should conduct an investigation Mr Albanese said.

He added: ‘We need to examine what went well (and) what can be done better, with an emphasis on the future, because the health experts and science tell us that this pandemic may not be the last – and probably won’t be are – one that occurs.’

It will look at more than 20 different investigations that have already taken place and has a 12-month timeframe before issuing its report.

The watered-down Commission of Inquiry will lack the powers of a Royal Commission to compel witnesses to appear and testify truthfully.

It will be led by economist Angela Jackson, epidemiologist and regular Covid commentator Catherine Bennett, and public administration expert Robyn Kruk.

Dr. Nick Coatsworth, the country’s former deputy chief health officer during the pandemic, called for an inquiry into whether independent public health powers should remain with states and territories during a pandemic.

“Who determines the proportionality of the response to a pandemic and how are the social costs of pandemic restrictions assessed and balanced against the need for disease control?” asked Dr. Coatsworth.

He took aim at Victorian Premier Dan Andrews, who “believes Covid research should focus on vaccines, national medical supplies and personal protective equipment”.

‘None of these relate to the core question. Proportionality,” added Dr. Coatsworth added.

“It’s a word he would rather never enter into the historical record of our (and his) pandemic response. But that will happen.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised during last year’s successful election campaign to set up a royal commission into the opposition that saw him oust Scott Morrison.

The Covid inquiry’s limited remit “means that almost everything that continues to give people COVID nightmares — school closures, lockdowns, state border closures, vaccination mandates, botched contact tracing and overzealous policing — are all off limits,” according to respected political editor Phillip Coorey.

Senator Bridget McKenzie has already accused the Albanian government of going back on its word.

“It’s another broken promise from Anthony Albanese,” Senator Mckenzie told Sharri Markson on Sky News on Tuesday.

‘He went to the election promising a royal commission.

‘They led a select committee in the Senate during the Covid hearing of experts. They heard from experts across the country for over a year and based on that research they decided they would get a royal commission.”

She accused Albanese of seeking to shield Labor premiers still in power during that period, such as Victoria’s Dan Andrews and Queensland’s Annastacia Palaszczuk, from full investigation into their actions during the pandemic.

On Thursday, Albanese defended the decision to launch an inquiry instead of a Royal Commission.

“Frankly, a royal commission can take more time (and) it is normally headed by a judge,” Albanese told Adelaide’s 5AA radio station.