Australian gov't establishes COVID-19 response inquiry

The Australian government has announced an inquiry into the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Mark Butler, the minister for Health and Aged Care, launched the inquiry on Thursday, saying it will cover health and governance responses to COVID-19 from January 2020 onwards, and provide advice on how Australia can prepare for future pandemics.

"This inquiry will look at the government's responses and will give advice on what worked, what didn't, and what we can do in the future to best protect Australians from the worst of any future events," Albanese said in a joint statement with Butler.

The inquiry will be conducted by an independent panel made up of economic and health experts. It will run for 12 months, with a final report to be delivered by Sept. 30, 2024.