SA-Best MP Frank Pangallo wants Covid royal commission

Has South Australia really been a Covid world-beater? There’s only one way to find out, a cross-bench MP says.

A royal commission with far-reaching powers to investigate the state’s official Covid-19 response would be launched under plans to be put to the new parliament.

SA-Best Upper House MP Frank Pangallo said the wide-ranging review would help “pandemic-proof” the state in any future health crisis.

The government has already promised an official review into the Covid-19 response. However, under the SA-Best plans a royal commission would invite “broad” evidence from various govern­ment officials, experts, ind­ustry and business leaders as well as those in the wider-community hit by coronavirus.

It would also “forensically” investigate South Australia’s emergency laws, governance and decisions to see “what lessons could be learnt in future” for a new strategic plan for subsequent pandemics, Mr Pangallo said.

Commissioners would represent a cross-section of society but not be a “lawyer’s picnic”, he added.

SA-Best MP Frank Pangallo.

Mr Pangallo, whose eight-year term expires in 2026, stressed it was not a “finger-pointing” exercise to sheet blame or make specific criticisms.

But it would take specific evidence from SA Health, SA Police, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and other government agencies involved in the pandemic.

The Covid-Ready Committee, chaired by Premier Steven Marshall, is an information body that currently advises Police Commissioner and state Covid co-ordinator Grant Stevens on what legal directions to authorise.

The transition committee last year advised Mr Stevens on the easing of restrictions, while directions meetings reviewed evidence for tightening, or introducing, Covid bans.

SA-Best will ask the new government to launch the commission as a priority if it wins the Legislative Council balance of power, or put a proposal directly to MPs. Mr Pangallo said the “ripple effect” had spared no one but noted it “odd” Mr Stevens has “overseen the state for longer than the Premier”.

“This was a whole new learning curve for all involved,” he said.

“Those in charge of making extremely tough decisions did a great job under enormously difficult circumstances.

SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros. Picture: Mark Brake

“There have been winners and yet far more many tragic losers. The pandemic has affected every single living person in one way or another and will continue to do so for a long time to come.”

SA-Best MLC Connie Bonaros said a federal royal commission would not have the time, or resources, to investigate all of SA’s response.

Meanwhile, SA Health on Saturday reported 1688 daily cases – 26 fewer than Friday – and a slight drop in hospital admissions. Contact tracers also identified three Port Lincoln pubs and a community centre as high-risk spots.

Latest figures show almost 70 per cent of adults have had a third Covid-19 vaccine but 381,000 have yet to do so.