With the Gutwein Government refusing to recall Parliament so that all MPs can work together to support our community through the impacts of COVID, the Labor party will move for a Parliamentary inquiry.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said it was necessary for the government to be more transparent about the decisions it is taking at this time – many without consultation with industry, business or workers.
“Last year Peter Gutwein said that the Parliament was the right place to ask questions of COVID, yet this year he is hiding from accountability,” Ms White said.*
“There is no doubt that since Peter Gutwein opened the borders to COVID the impact on our health system, community and economy had been far reaching and the Tasmanian community deserve to be treated better than mushrooms by this government about what the plan is.
“The Premier might want to desperately avoid scrutiny over his preparedness – or lack of – in the lead up to the border opening, but the fact is similar COVID committees have already been established federally and in South Australia.
“The Labor party takes our responsibility to the people of Tasmania seriously and we know they deserve better from their government and that’s why we will move to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into the preparedness and response of the government since border restrictions were eased in December.”
The draft terms of reference for the inquiry:
A Select Committee be appointed, with power to send for persons, papers and records, to inquire into and report upon the Tasmania Government’s preparedness for and management of COVID-19 following the relaxation of border restrictions on 15 December 2021, including:
(a) the preparedness of Tasmania’s health system, including: contact tracing; testing; the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline; and hospitals;
(b) preparedness of schools for a COVID-impacted school year;
(c) the adequacy of supports available to businesses and workers impacted by COVID-19, including: communication; consistency; and financial support; and
(d) any other matters incidental thereto.
(2) The Committee shall consist of 5 Members, being:
- 2 from the Government nominated by the Leader of the House;
- the Deputy Leader of the Opposition;
- the Leader of the Tasmanian Greens; and
- the Mover.
(3) The Committee report by 3 May next.
*”We continue to take a safe, sensible and cautious approach to COVID-19. With high vaccination rates and strong border management processes, we believe we can safely reopen our borders on 15 December. I know from the number of the questions raised in this place on COVID-19 and the reopening – and I am pleased that questions are starting to be asked. This is the right place to ask those questions and, importantly, we will provide the information because we want Tasmanians to understand what is in front of them.”
Peter Gutwein, 23 November 2021
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
