FOI 25-0084 LD – Release Of The COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report – Minister Butler

Written by Claude Haiku 4.5 from the extracted text on 27 Feb 2026. It can miss or misread redacted and scanned pages. Check the source before relying on it.

This FOI release contains draft talking points for Minister Butler's press conference on the COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report, delivered 29 October 2024. The document outlines the Minister's key messaging emphasizing that Australia lacked sufficient pandemic preparedness, with governments "building the plane while flying it." The inquiry, conducted by Robyn Kruk, Catherine Bennett, and Angela Jackson, consulted state and territory leaders, agencies, industry, and the public about their COVID experiences. Minister Butler acknowledged the pandemic's unequal impact across Australians, the high economic and social costs, and ongoing effects on education, mental health, and delayed health screenings. The Minister committed to transparency by releasing the inquiry promptly and establishing an Australian Centre for Disease Control, framing these actions as essential lessons to better prepare Australia for future pandemics.