COVID-19 INQUIRY: WA Premier Flags Using Military Quarantine Facilities in Future Pandemic

Western Australian (WA) Premier Roger Cook believes the Australian Defence Force (ADF) should play a bigger role in any new pandemic in Australia. The leader suggested the ADF has several facilities that could be used for quarantine, moving people and medical supplies, and securing borders. Mr. Cook flagged the idea as part of his response to the Australian government’s COVID-19 Response Inquiry. “The Australian Defence Force should play a greater role in any future pandemic response,” Mr. Cook said (pdf). “It has numerous facilities which could be used for quarantine purposes, significant transport capabilities for moving people and medical supplies and highly trained and disciplined personnel who could patrol and secure our border.”...