MEDIA RELEASE

Interim report on the COVID-19 pandemic response

The Select Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic response has released its fourth interim report. The Committee has drawn on the evidence provided to it in public hearings and submissions to make the following 40 recommendations:

Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure they action all recommendations that the Committee has presented in its previous interim reports.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that the Minister for Health and their successor, regularly update the Assembly and the community on the progress of Canberra Health Services in addressing the backlog of elective surgery.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that Canberra Health Services as a matter of priority complete and circulate the COVID-safe advice to elective surgery patients.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that Canberra Health Services provide that advice to the Committee or its successor as soon as it becomes available.

Recommendation 5

The Committee recommends that the Minister for Health and Canberra Health Services explore with Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian Society of Anaesthetists further timely and effective COVID-19 screening for pre-operative patients.

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government advocate to the Commonwealth Government that telehealth services are made available indefinitely.

Recommendation 7

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government work with the NGO sector to increase capacity to respond to those experiencing stress and anxiety and focus on emotional and psychological wellbeing of community members as the pandemic progresses and in the longer term.

Recommendation 8

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government increase funding to the NGO sector to enable them to respond to those experiencing stress and anxiety and focus on emotional and psychological wellbeing of community members as the pandemic progresses and in the longer term.

Recommendation 9

The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government take steps to engage with the Commonwealth Government to extend the current capabilities of mental health plans, including expanding the number of free psychologist and counsellor sessions that can be accessed.

Recommendation 10

The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government work with other governments and providers to ensure that all medical institutions have the capability to grant mental health plans through telehealth for young people who cannot attend in person.

Recommendation 11

The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government consider a campaign to encourage young people to reach out for help when they need it and encourage safe spaces where young people can reach out for help.

Recommendation 12

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government make a commitment to increase mental health funding year on year, particularly for youth mental health.

Recommendation 13

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide clear and transparent advice on the COVID-19 website on why mask use is not currently recommended and the circumstances that would need to occur for the official position on that to change.

Recommendation 14

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide clear and transparent advice on the COVID-19 website on why there is not a ‘regional border closure’ and the circumstances that would need to occur for that to ever be seriously considered.

Recommendation 15

The Committee recommends that ACT Government establishes on-going liaison protocols to work with NSW to manage the COVID-19 restrictions.

Recommendation 16

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider providing additional financial assistance to ensure students returning to Canberra to attend university, who are not able to find jobs, can access the support they need.

Recommendation 17

The Committee recommends that that in its response to COVID-19 the ACT Government considers the different needs of different groups in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and any other relevant factors.

Recommendation 18

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government should ensure that the human rights of all members of the community are considered so that there is equitable access to appropriate and quality support.

Recommendation 19

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are a particularly at risk group and ensure this is a consideration when determining where to focus further resources as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.

Recommendation 20

The Committee recommends that the ACT Education Directorate assess the needs of students before requesting the return of any electronic devices such as Chrome Books and other internet access devices.

Recommendation 21

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government improve support to schools to ensure students have not been disproportionately disadvantaged by online schooling, including providing access to free tutors for students who may have fallen behind or who attend traditionally disadvantaged schools.

Recommendation 22

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government engage with local universities to ensure that the potential disadvantage faced by both year 11 and 12 students will not affect university placements.

Recommendation 23

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government, in its COVID-19 pandemic response, include targeted programs and improve access to services for young people, particularly in the areas of education; mental health; employment; housing; rental affordability and homelessness.

Recommendation 24

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government create a resource to assist young people to access services and assistance, across different services categories.

Recommendation 25

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government should dedicate funding toward disability services and related organisations so they may prioritise education, resources and training for people with disabilities on preparedness for emergency medical situations.

Recommendation 26

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensures that there are disability access and inclusion plans for all of Canberra Health Services across ACT Health.

Recommendation 27

The Committee recommends the ACT Government ensure that dedicated funding for trained disability advocates is available to support people with disability. This includes trained advocates to work with existing domestic and family violence services so they have the capacity to provide accessible and appropriate supports to women with disabilities experiencing violence.

Recommendation 28

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government and the Courts work with service providers, such as DVCS and the Women's Legal Centre to develop ways to:

Recommendation 29

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government action all previous recommendations, in relation to housing and homelessness, so as to provide relief and certainty for those in need of appropriate housing and support.

Recommendation 30

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government extends COVID-19 related assistance to tenants and landlords both residential and commercial for at least until a couple of months following the end of the ACT COVID-19 public health emergency declaration.

Recommendation 31

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government should direct stimulus investment towards social and public housing to address chronic community shortages of affordable housing.

Recommendation 32

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government should invest in in women’s specialist homelessness services and culturally sensitive housing solutions for First Nations communities.

Recommendation 33

The Committee recommends the ACT Government explore options to provide support and payments to young people who may not be able to pay rent and other housing related costs.

Recommendation 34

The Committee recommends that that the ACT Government undertake an investigation into the circumstances regarding the difficulties encountered in facilitating support and housing  for a mother and her seven children from interstate, as outlined by Beryl Women Inc. in evidence given to the Committee.

Recommendation 35

The Committee recommends that the Select Committee for the COVID-19 Pandemic Response continue and, if necessary be re-established, for the length of the declared COVID Emergency.

Recommendation 36

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct a full review and assessment of the operation of the COVID-19 Emergency including, but not limited to, governance, decision making, preparedness, cross-border issues, intergovernmental co-operation, and lessons for the future.

Recommendation 37

The Committee recommends that future committees of the ACT Legislative Assembly adopt virtual meetings as a standard part of their operations.

Recommendation 38

The Committee recommends that future committees of the ACT Legislative Assembly consider providing interim reports so that there can be more timely Government responses.

Recommendation 39

The Committee recommends that future Assemblies of the ACT Legislative Assembly consider establishing specific committees for inquiries into matters that encompass extensive cross portfolio issues.

Recommendation 40

The Committee recommends that future Assemblies of the ACT Legislative Assembly utilise electronic systems, such as collaborative platforms, to easily collate, and collaborate on written recommendations for reports.

The Report is available at:

https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/recent-reports

The Select Committee was established by the Legislative Assembly on 2 April to provide oversight to the ACT Government’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The resolution establishing the Committee is available on the Committee’s website.

For further information please contact the Committee Secretary on (02) 6205 1253 or by email at: LACommitteeCOVID19@parliament.act.gov.au.

STATEMENT ENDS – Thursday 27 August 2020

For more information contact:

Committee Chair, Alistair Coe MLA on 620 50101

Committee Secretary, Ms Annemieke Jongsma on 620 51253