Joint Media Release: Labor Focused on Politics, not Pandemic Preparedness

Today, we saw the Prime Minister’s cop-out COVID-19 Inquiry used as a cover up for the Albanese Labor Government’s current failings.

The Coalition has always said that Australians deserve a genuine and thorough investigation of Covid-19, so that we can be best prepared for any future pandemics and learn from our experience.

We will review the findings of the Prime Minister’s Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry now that they have been released and consider its key recommendations.

However, it has been clear from the get-go that this was a politically-motivated inquiry.

The Prime Minister specifically excluded decisions taken by the states and territories in the terms of reference for this inquiry, which meant major decisions like lockdowns, social distancing, school closures and border closures were not adequately scrutinised despite the concerns noted.

The Coalition also questions whether any representatives of the current government took part in this inquiry, considering that over two thirds of COVID-related deaths have occurred since 21 May 2022.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said Labor continues to blame shift out of desperation.

“Labor has shown its true colours by politicising a once-in-a-generation pandemic.

“This is just the latest in Labor’s desperate attempt to blame everyone and everything but itself for its homegrown inflation.

“The Treasurer’s selective memory is on display. The Albanese Labor government spent more in the last financial year, than was spent to help Australians during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“He also appears to have forgotten that Labor wanted the Coalition government to spend $81 billion on unnecessary measures such as paying Australians to get vaccinated."

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care noted that, sadly, COVID-related deaths in residential aged care have increased by more than 160% under the current government, while vaccination rates in aged care homes have plummeted.

“Instead of taking action to ensure vulnerable Australians remain protected from the virus, we saw Minister Butler try to use this report as political cover for the concerning state of aged care deaths and vaccinations under his watch,” Senator Ruston said.

“At the same time, the Treasurer Jim Chalmers bizarrely used the inquiry as a cop-out for Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.

“Jim Chalmers and Mark Butler have made it clear that the Albanese Government’s focus in on politics, and not on ensuring Australia is best prepared for any future pandemics.”

ENDS

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