The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed committee recommendations that have called for greater transparency in the ACT Government’s response to COVID-19.
The second interim report of the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic Response was released on Friday, with recommendations that include:
- Inclusion of a statement that legislation is compatible with human rights for all delegated legislation made in response to COVID-19 including emergency measures
- Increased oversight of COVID-19 legislation by the Legislative Assembly
- Increased transparency and reporting by ACT Policing, ACT Health and Access Canberra on enforcement of public health directions
- Accessible information for children and young people on COVID-19
- Additional learning support for children and young people in the recovery from COVID-19, and in case of further school shutdowns
- Research into the impact of the COVID-19 response on the educational outcomes of children and young people.
ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell, said: “ACTCOSS agrees with the Committee that improved transparency, reporting and scrutiny of the COVID-19 response is important.
“The recommendations also support calls by ACTCOSS and its members to ensure that online learning, and the return to school, are fully inclusive of all pupils and families including children with disability.
“The response to COVID-19 will evolve as we move from crisis to recovery. ACTCOSS encourages members of the ACT community to make submissions to the Committee to ensure that the ACT Government response is targeted to support Canberrans made vulnerable by COVID-19.
“The Committee is providing an important oversight of the ACT Government’s response to COVID-19. We urge the ACT Government to pay close attention to the recommendations that the Committee has provided,” Dr Campbell concluded.
Find the first and second interim report and information on how to make a submission here.
ACTCOSS advocates for social justice in the ACT and represents not-for-profit community organisations.
