Retired public servant Robyn Kruk has been appointed to an independent panel that will inquire into state and federal responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Also on the panel are epidemiologist Catherine Bennett and health economist Angela Jackson.

The 12-month inquiry will examine a range of factors, including vaccination and PPE preparedness, public health messaging, financial support for individuals and businesses, and support for people during lockdowns domestically and overseas.

It will also consider the role of the government in responding to future pandemics including coordination of National Cabinet.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most significant global crisis that we have faced in decades,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“This Inquiry will look at the Government’s responses and will give advice on what worked, what didn’t, and what we can do in the future to best protect Australians from the worst of any future events.”

The panel will deliver a final report by September 30 2024.

This Inquiry will look at the Government’s responses and will give advice on what worked, what didn’t, and what we can do in the future to best protect Australians from the worst of any future events.

Anthony Albanese

Ms Kruk has led state and federal Government agencies, including as Director-General of the NSW Department of Health, Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, and CEO of the National Mental Health Commission.

She has spearheaded other independent reviews, including as the 2019 WA Sustainable Health Review and the 2021 Taskforce into Public Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents. In 2021, she led the Second Year Review of the National Redress Scheme and in 2022, the NSW Covid-19 System Response Debrief.

Last December she was appointed to lead the independent review of health practitioner regulatory settings.

See the full terms of reference for the current inquiry here.