‘Protection Racket’: Opposition Says Pandemic Inquiry Should Probe State, Territory Decisions

“The prime minister owes it to the Australian people to have a proper understanding of what happened at a state and federal level,” Dutton said.

Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks to media during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia, on May 15, 2023. AAP Image/Jono Searle

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has criticised the Albanese Labor government’s newly announced pandemic inquiry, pointing to exemptions for state premiers.

“The prime minister owes it to the Australian people to have a proper understanding of what happened at a state and federal level in relation to COVID, the policies, the decisions that were being made,” Mr. Dutton said on Sept. 21 following the unveiling of the pandemic inquiry by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler.