COVID-19 inquiry to examine health services and supplies

A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will turn its attention to public health at its next public hearing.

Senator David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, said the pandemic had exposed problems in Australia’s pharmaceutical and medical equipment supply chains.

Senator Fawcett said,  “Although our health system is amongst the best in the world, it can’t function without reliable supplies of drugs and equipment, especially during severe public health events like the pandemic.”

Witnesses from Aspen Medical, an Australian-owned health services supplier, and the Public Health Association of Australia will give evidence on aspects of Australia’s healthcare response to the pandemic.

Full terms of reference for the inquiry are on the Committee website. Submissions can be made until 24 July 2020.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday 23 July
Time: 3pm – 4.30 pm AEST 
Location: By teleconference

The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live

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