‘Damaging and Divisive’: Inquiry Hears COVID-19 Lockdowns Should Be Examined

The consequences of “damaging and divisive actions” of states to lock down should be considered as part of any royal commission to COVID-19, according to a key witness at a Senate inquiry. A Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee hearing on the appropriate terms of reference for a COVID-19 Royal Commission was held on March 13. Discussing the impact of lockdowns on businesses, Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) head of industry development and policy, Louise McGrath, said, “That was the element that really had the most impact on our members.” “The complexity of the shutdowns, the mixed messaging, the lack of communication, lack of consistent, and clear communication, made a challenging situation almost impossible to bear.”...