Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has dismissed the former prime minister’s calls for a royal commission into COVID-19, instead backing a “forward-focused” inquiry into the pandemic.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an inquiry into Australia’s pandemic response on Thursday, which will be led by a panel of experts.
He said that a royal commission was unnecessary, despite having promised it while in opposition.
Mr Albanese’s decision stands in contrast with former prime minister Scott Morrison’s views on the matter, having previously said anything less than a royal commission into COVID-19 would be obsolete.
Mr Andrews – who presided over some of the harshest restrictions in the country and threw Melbourne into lockdowns more than any other jurisdiction in the world – welcomed the inquiry.
The inquiry should be “forward-focused”, he said, looking at improvements Australia could make for future pandemics rather than attributing blame for mistakes in leadership throughout the pandemic.
When quizzed on his response to Mr Morrison’s claims an inquiry would be useless, Mr Andrews quipped that he didn’t have anything “to say about the former prime minister”.
“The people of Australia have passed their judgement on him,” the Victorian Premier said.
Actions taken by state and territory governments will be outside the inquiry’s terms of reference.
This means any of Mr Andrews’ actions during the pandemic, including the use of lockdown as a primary strategy to quell cases and the hotel quarantine debacle, won’t be thoroughly examined.
The Prime Minister defended his choice of inquiry over a royal commission during a radio interview on Thursday morning, noting that royal commissions are generally “headed by a judge” and “can take more time”.
“The advice we have received is that this is the best form of inquiry,” he said.
“It’s correct to say that it’s forward-looking. But of course, you examine the past to see what the lessons are there. But there have already been so many inquiries.
(SKY NEWS)
