A comprehensive inquiry into Australia’s Covid-19 response concluded that public trust was significantly “eroded” by what it described as “heavy-handed” measures and vaccine mandates, which the public may not accept in future pandemics.
Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledged the report as “thorough and measured”, supporting recommendations to rebuild public trust and to emphasise transparency.
The report, authored by “experts”, including former NSW Health Director Robyn Kruk and epidemiologist Catherine Bennett, criticised the government’s failure to explain the reasoning behind many restrictions, which, it found, led to the perception that the government didn’t trust the public to understand the complexities of pandemic guidance.
With vaccination rates plummeting across several diseases, including Covid-19, the report warned of potential “co-occurring outbreaks” that could overwhelm the healthcare system.
To counter this, it advised immediate action, recommending a “national strategy” to address reduced Covid vaccination rates and efforts to restore early childhood jabs.
The government also plans to establish an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) with $251.7 million in funding, which will officially open in January 2026.
Butler said he was confident the CDC would bolster Australia’s “future preparedness”, stressing the importance of having a “high-level playbook” for “upcoming pandemics” and preparing for risks like so-called “avian flu”.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton slammed the report as a “political hit job” meant to divert attention from other issues facing the prime minister.
He hinted at recent controversies surrounding Prime Minister Albanese but committed to reviewing the recommendations, stating that the coalition would support “sensible policies”.
The inquiry, launched by Anthony Albanese in 2023, controversially did not require state leaders to testify, focusing instead on federal-level responses.
