There are calls for the national COVID inquiry to examine the effects of school closures during the pandemic years.
Experts say the inquiry should seek to address growing challenges surrounding youth mental health, school refusal and academic performance since lockdowns were lifted.
Former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet has echoed those sentiments by encouraging political leaders to learn from their past mistakes.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced widespread criticism after announcing the pandemic’s inquiry.
The backlash comes after it was revealed state and territory leaders would be exempt from facing examination.
There is a “whole generation” of students who either didn’t return to school or are unaccounted for during the COVID-19 years, says former Howard government minister Peter McGauran.
Mr McGauran’s comments come as the government launches an inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.
“It’s not a matter of burning anyone at the stake,” he told Sky News Australia.
“But if we’re to have another endemic breakout then we have to be better prepared for it.
“Not just in the supply of PPE and vaccines and the like, and financial rescue packages, which is all the inquiry is going to look at.”
(Sky News)
