2020-03-28
The NSW Parliament's Upper House Public Accountability Committee yesterday established an ongoing inquiry to oversight the Government's management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
'The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the largest public health and economic crises that the State has faced. With the NSW Parliament not sitting until September, it is imperative that the Parliament keep the Government accountable for its actions in response to the pandemic,' said Committee Chair and Greens MP David Shoebridge.
Mr Shoebridge continued 'The inquiry will examine the NSW Government's response to and handling of the public health crisis, assessing the adequacy of actions and measures taken by the various departments and agencies of government since its outbreak. In the first instance, the inquiry will gather and test evidence from government authorities responsible for public health, education and early childhood, and residential and retail leases.'
'Government accountability by Parliament is never more important than in times of crisis. Citizens have a right to know that their elected officials are taking appropriate measures in the public interest, and are doing all they can within reasonable means to protect their wellbeing, their families and their livelihoods', said Mr Shoebridge.
'What we are seeing is unprecedented. This inquiry is about bringing greater transparency and accountability to government decision-making at this critical time', Mr Shoebridge added.
The inquiry will be ongoing in order to follow developments as they unfold, with the first public hearing scheduled for 10.00 am on Friday 3 April 2020. It is anticipated that hearings will be broadcast via the NSW Parliament website.
For information about the inquiry, including the committee membership and the terms of reference, please visit the committee's website: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=2593
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