From Financial Review
Australia’s attempt to “control at all costs” COVID-19 went on for too long and states should be stripped of their powers to make disease control rules during pandemics, the country’s former deputy chief medical officer says.
In a candid 10-page submission to a government inquiry, Dr Nick Coatsworth said officials suffered “group think” and fatigue during the pandemic, which contributed to poor decision-making and a failure to consider alternative health restrictions.
Vaccine mandates should only ever be a “last resort”, “time limited” and the responsibility of the government – not employers, he said.
Australia was successful in bringing together the most experienced health professionals, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), to help manage COVID-19, Dr Coatsworth said in the submission.
But decision-making suffered from a series of problems that must be fixed for future pandemic responses, he said.
