The decision to exclude State Government decisions from a Federal Government inquiry into the management of the coronavirus pandemic has been slammed by local MP Darren Chester.
The Federal Member for Gippsland said it was ‘pointless to hold an inquiry if it didn’t take a close look at issues like curfews, school shutdowns and border closures’ which were all imposed by the State Government.
“We emerged from the pandemic in better shape than most nations around the world and I have no doubt that good decisions made by all levels of government contributed to that outcome,” Mr Chester said.
“But there were some failures in hotel quarantine system which cost lives, and some heavy-handed decisions by the Victorian Government, that deserve closer scrutiny if this inquiry is a genuine attempt to make sure we learn from our mistakes.
“It’s extraordinary that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to run a protection racket for Labor Premiers rather than conduct a full and proper inquiry into the pandemic.
“All Australians but particularly our health professionals and other essential workers who kept the country functioning deserve a full and independent inquiry into all of the issues, not the half-baked plan the Prime Minister is offering.”