We deserve a full, transparent inquiry into Covid years

The Australian public is absolutely entitled to a comprehensive royal commission into the handling of the Covid years (“Immunity for mates: PM’s Covid cop-out”, 22/9). It clearly can be effective only if the terms of reference include any decisions made by the federal, state and territory, and local governments. This includes any factors involved directly with the distribution of vaccines such as in hospitals and aged care or through all commercial enterprise.

The failure to have this type of comprehensive inquiry is an extremely dangerous decision that threatens the future safety of all Australians. All Australians are entitled to the best possible defence against future pandemics. Anthony Albanese’s decision to hold a completely inadequate inquiry that fails to investigate more than 70 per cent or 80 per cent of all decisions taken during the pandemic is an abrogation of his responsibility as Prime Minister.

Ross Dillon, Maleny, Qld

Anthony Albanese has reneged on another pre-election commitment: to hold a royal commission into the Covid pandemic and how Australia dealt with it at a federal and state and territory level.

As most of us understand, there was no rule book for managing such a novel crisis and governments essentially were flying blind throughout. Many good decisions were made by our governments, but also some very poor ones were made under difficult circumstances.

To make sure we get it right should there be a next time, we need a rule book formulated from our collective experience in 2020 and the years that followed.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

The decision of the Prime Minister to exclude state and territory jurisdictions from the Covid inquiry defies belief.

While there is value for Canberra to examine and learn from its actions at the national level, the states were key decision-makers. Without looking at their actions, any examination and findings will be sub-optimal. Also, one can be forgiven for thinking the inquiry, as currently constituted, has a strong political component aiming to highlight the shortcomings of the previous government.

Michael Schilling, Millswood, SA

Promise delivered, really, where is the promise of transparency? Without the impact caused by state-based decisions there can be no transparency in the review to our response to Covid-19. As a result little will be learned, but the government can tick a box on its interpretation of an election promise.

Ian C. Murray, Cremorne Point, NSW

Anthony Albanese was elected on, among other things, an undertaking to run a different, better style of government. He was, logically therefore, to be a better style of Prime Minister.

His proposed inquiry into the nation’s Covid response is to study closely, even exclusively, the functioning of the national cabinet during the pandemic.

One of the notable outcomes of that national cabinet, possibly the prime one, was a rediscovery of powers of the premiers in the commonwealth structures of federation – powers were delegated to the new commonwealth government by the state governments. Not all power was so given, with some powers then granted back to states by the commonwealth. In the national cabinet, premiers either rediscovered this or took (apparently with relish) the opportunity to exercise those powers, in some cases to the extreme limits of electoral popularity. For these actions to be shielded from an examination of the nation’s response to the pandemic is logically indefensible. That, however, is what the Prime Minister has chosen to do.

John Watson, Montville, Qld

Before and after last year’s election Anthony Albanese made repeated pledges of transparency. He is now honouring his promise to hold a Covid inquiry but is clearly protecting certain ALP politicians by specifically eliminating the role of state and territory governments from the inquiry’s terms of reference. The teals campaigned on the platform of transparency. They should be at the forefront of criticising the Prime Minister for ignoring the major decision-makers of the pandemic. If another pandemic occurs it is imperative that we know what works and what doesn’t. Australians deserve much more than a political cover-up.

Riley Brown, Bondi Beach, NSW