Anger over Anthony Albanese’s refusal to hold a Covid royal commission: ‘We need to know what really happened’
Australia’s response to the Covid pandemic has been labeled the ‘worst public health failure ever’ as doctors call for a royal commission into the country’s handling of the crisis.
Labor went into the 2022 election promising a royal commission into the Covid years, but was fiercely criticized in September when the government announced a special commission of inquiry instead.
The mandate will include vaccinations, treatment and mental health care, but will not address controversial features of the pandemic, including lockdowns and mask mandates.
Dr. Scott Prasser of the Australian Institute for Progress told a Senate committee on Thursday that the best form of inquiry for the nation would be a royal commission.
This was due to his coercive powers, his ability to request documents, call witnesses, give evidence under oath and hold public hearings.
Australia’s response to the Covid pandemic has been branded the ‘worst public health failure ever’ as doctors call for a royal commission
“We need to know what really happened,” Dr. Prasser said.
Graham Young, executive director of the Australian Institute for Progress, said the country’s management of the pandemic was falling short.
“The policies on Covid were, in my opinion, the worst public policy and public health failure ever seen in this country,” he told the inquiry.
Mr Young said the people behind the decision-making did not appear diverse enough to take into account the needs of the whole community.
The inquiry is expected to deliver its final report in September, but the Australian Human Rights Commission believes a joint federal and state royal commission would be the “best option” to comprehensively investigate Australia’s response.
“While the commission has welcomed these investigations… they are not a sufficient substitute for a properly constituted royal commission,” Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay wrote in her submission.
“The full human cost of the pandemic has been significant and cannot be measured by looking only at its direct health and economic impacts.”
Rapidly changing health regulations, on-the-spot fines and a heavy reliance on policing are a priority for the Redfern Legal Centre.
Graham Young from the Australian Institute for Progress said the people behind public health decisions did not appear diverse enough to take into account the needs of the community
Medical bodies such as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners have recommended that the inquiry assess vaccine rollout, mental health impacts, health response measures such as lockdowns, public messaging and more.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, meanwhile, has proposed a focus on hospital working conditions, funding and workforce levels, as well as preparedness and training.
A civil liberties group has proposed an investigation into restrictions on movement, such as closing state borders, while think tanks want to explore the use of emergency powers.