Push for multi-party committee to oversee COVID-19 response in absence of parliamentary sittings

A group of prominent Tasmanians and organisations are pushing for a multi-party committee to be established to ensure scrutiny of the state’s COVID-19 response in the absence of parliamentary sittings,

MOMENTUM is growing in the push for a multi-party committee to be established to ensure scrutiny of the state’s COVID-19 response in the absence of parliamentary sittings.

A group of prominent Tasmanians and organisations, including equality and civil liberties advocates, law professors and a Legislative Council member, have penned an open letter to Premier Peter Gutwein.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

They have called for an oversight committee to be set up — similar to one that exists in New Zealand — to fill what they say is a gap in accountability.

On Wednesday, the Premier said Parliament would be temporarily recalled to consider urgent business brought by the coronavirus pandemic, including commercial tenancies and the deferred Legislative Council elections.

Sittings had been suspended until August, and emergency legislation had given the government broad powers to direct the fight against the spread of the virus.

But the call for greater oversight of government decisions has ramped up in recent days, gaining support from Labor, the Greens and independent member for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie.

New Zealand has established a select committee with all parties represented, and hearings are publicly broadcast.

Equality Tasmania spokesman Rodney Croome said a model like this would bring accountability and transparency to the state’s COVID-19 response.

“Peter Gutwein’s government is doing a good job keeping Tasmanians safe, but at a time of crisis, when so much rides on every decision, it’s vital to have democratic oversight of the government’s actions,” he said.

Tasmanian director of the Australia Institute, Leanne Minshull, said it was heartening to see politicians working together during the crisis, but said the public deserved more than goodwill.

The letter was also signed by Nelson MLC Meg Webb, former Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Robin Banks, University of Tasmania law professors Benjamin Richardson and Rick Snell, Community Legal Centres Tasmania chair Jane Hutchison and former Tasmanian Senator Christine Milne.

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The Government has been holding daily press conferences alongside senior health officials, which have been live streamed to the general public.

Mr Gutwein said he had also been keeping in regular contact with Labor leader Rebecca White and Greens leader Cassy O’Connor, to talk to them about measures taken by the government in response to the coronavirus threat.