Australia: COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report

#18,372

Nearly five years after the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus the world continues to languish in what is officially an `interpandemic period', although we are still being battered by the continually evolving remnants of COVID, and taunted by new, partially formed threats around the world.

Among the many losses from COVID are:

• Tens of millions of lives (officially 7 million, but many countries stopped counting years ago). The WHO estimated 14.9 million by the end of 2022, but the true number will never be known. 

• Globally economic losses  estimated as up to $16 Trillion dollars.  

• And in many cases, erosion in the public's trust in their government's ability to respond to future pandemics.

From the beginning of the crisis we looked at some of the governmental missteps, which included a general failure to prepare for a pandemic (see Failures of the Imagination), despite talking about it for years (see The Most Predicted Global Crisis of the 21st Century).

Governments initially reassured that the virus wasn't airborne, and only symptomatic individuals were infectious, and that the public didn't need to wear masks.  Instead, we heard `happy talk' about its stability, its low fatality rate, and how `herd immunity' would end the crisis in just `a matter of months. . . '. 

As governments panicked we saw the spread of inconsistent, and at times draconian, lock downs.  When vaccines finally became available, many governments decided to make COVID vaccines mandatory for `essential workers', even for those who were not in the healthcare industry. 

Far too often, the strict rules for the public were flouted by government officials (see BBC Partygate: A timeline of the lockdown parties).

Tens of billions of tax dollars were stolen or wasted as governments offered emergency `stimulus' packages (see AP Report The Great Grift: How billions in COVID-19 relief aid was stolen or wasted). 

The list goes on. . . . ad nauseam.  

Some governments did better than others, of course - and some positive things were accomplished - but the general perception is of a badly flawed response.

Out of all of this has come a new malady - which unlike COVID, isn't airborne - but is rather a social (media) disease; public cynicism and distrust.  One that continues to spread voraciously, and whose cure is anything but certain. 

And as a co-infection with the next pandemic virus, this malady will likely greatly exacerbate that crisis.  Today, trust (and uptake) in vaccines has plummeted, warnings from the WHO, or the CDC, are often dismissed as `propaganda', and there is a strong `anti-mask' movement online.  

Should a novel influenza, another coronavirus, or even a particularly aggressive COVID wave begin a world tour, governments and health agencies are going to need the cooperation - and trust - of the public. And right now, that appears in short supply.

Although Australia got off to a better start than many other nations during the COVID pandemic - closing its borders early and initially keeping cases and deaths low - when cases began to rise dramatically in 2021 their health care system struggled, as did their government, to cope.

Today the Australian Government has unveiled an 868 page independent report on their COVID response, with recommendations on what they can do now to begin to repair the damage and/or prepare for the next public health emergency. 

Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry

The purpose of the inquiry is to identify lessons learned to improve Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics.

On 25 October 2024 the Australian Government received the final report from the independent panel appointed to review the response to COVID-19 pandemic.

The inquiry reviewed the Commonwealth Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to identify lessons learned and improve Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics.

The report includes nine guiding recommendations that are aligned with nine pillars of a successful pandemic response. The report identifies 19 immediate actions for the next 12-18 months, and a further seven medium-term actions prior to the next national health emergency.

COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report

Summary Report: Lessons for the next crisis

Inquiry terms of reference

Independent panel members

The inquiry was conducted by an independent panel who have extensive experience across public health, health, social care, government and economics.

Member                                       Role

Robyn Kruk AO                           Chair 

Professor Catherine Bennett        Member

Dr Angela Jackson                       Member


The panel was supported by a taskforce, based within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and will draw upon additional expertise as required.

As nearly 900 pages, I obviously haven't had time to do more than glance at this report.   We do have a summary, however, from The Conversation.  One that warns that the public's willingness to accept strict pandemic measures in the future will be limited.

You can read this report at:

Australia’s COVID inquiry shows why a permanent ‘centre for disease control’ is more urgent than ever

Published: October 29, 2024 2:44 am EDT

This report aside, nearly 5 years after the emergence of COVID, much of the world seems just as unprepared to deal with the next pandemic (see From Here To Impunity).

But at least we deserve points for consistency.