- Findings of independent review of WA’s COVID-19 management and response recognises WA’s successful handling of the pandemic
- WA Government welcomes and supports the 35 recommendations which provide a blueprint to ensure the State is prepared to manage future pandemics
- New State-wide campaign to promote vaccination, tackle false vaccine misinformation
- WA is the first Australian jurisdiction to complete a whole of government review and is taking immediate action to prepare for future challenges
The independent review of the Western Australian Government’s handling of COVID-19 has recognised the State’s successful management and response to the pandemic.
Esteemed expert independent reviewers Hon John Day, Emiterus Professor Margaret Sears AO and Dr Michael Schaper examined WA’s economic, social and health outcomes, reaffirming the WA Government’s approach to managing COVID-19.
WA is the first Australian jurisdiction to complete a whole of Government review, which was commissioned by the State Government.
The Review found the success of the State’s management and response reflected the efforts of the WA Government and tireless work of the healthcare professionals and the wider public sector to protect the WA community.
The reviewers also acknowledged the determination and resilience of the entire WA community to respond to the challenges, including those who faced adversity.
Shaped by extensive stakeholder consultation and consideration of almost 900 public submissions, and given the increasing risk of pandemics in the future, the Review makes 35 recommendations aimed at ensuring an effective, coordinated and strong response to future threats.
The recommendations are a mix of actions taken during COVID-19 that are to be replicated or improved, as well as new actions to be undertaken.
These include strengthening pandemic planning and scenario testing, reviewing current legislation, removing barriers to public sector workforce mobility and continuing to provide free and equitable access to Government programs such as vaccination and testing.
Investigating ways to strengthen support to community organisations, peak bodies, health experts and the arts and businesses during the pandemic, as well as better leveraging the expertise of the business, community and health sector in future responses were also recommended.
In addition, the review recommends a new State-wide campaign is developed to tackle vaccine misinformation and disinformation to ensure the community is safe and prepared for future threats to public health.
The WA Government will now undertake to develop the campaign to educate and inform the public of the importance of vaccines and counter the misinformation causing confusion and distrust. This also led to the corresponding decline in the rate of some vaccinations in the community most concerningly regarding childhood vaccinations.
In accepting all the recommendations, the WA Government has taken immediate action and will develop the campaign to educate and inform the public of the importance of vaccines to counter an increasing amount of inaccurate and false information circulating in the community.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“I’m proud of what Western Australia achieved together through the pandemic.
“Our world-leading response has provided a blueprint on how to handle future pandemics.
“But of course, not every pandemic will be the same, but this Review provides the key principles and tools which future governments will need to tackle future challenges.
“The independent review confirms WA delivered some of the best economic, health and social outcomes in Australia.
“WA was nearly COVID-zero during the first two years of the pandemic and our COVID-19 fatality rate of 0.074 per cent was the lowest of all the States and Territories.
“I’d like to thank the independent reviewers the Hon John Day, Emeritus Professor Margaret Seares AO and Dr Michael Schaper for their thorough work as well all those who took the time to share their insights and experiences to help inform the Review.”
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“Western Australia performed extraordinarily well during the pandemic thanks to the State Government’s response, the hard work of our healthcare workers and the co-operation of the WA public.
“Over the pandemic WA Health had more than 1,900 COVID vaccination clinics, including community, pop-up, in-reach and school clinics, delivering a total of 2.6 million vaccination doses.
“WA stood up COVID testing clinics across the State, and at the height of our response, we had 220 contact tracers working around the clock.
“We are incredibly grateful for the enormous contributions everyone made during the pandemic.
“These important safeguards helped ensure Western Australia had one of the best responses to COVID-19 in the world.”
