An independent expert review of the West Australian government’s COVID-19 response found it acted swiftly, and with agility.

August 9, 2023

An independent review of the West Australian government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic found it acted swiftly, with strength and agility, but still could have done better.

The expert panel examined the state’s economic, social and health outcomes, including the controversial hard border policy that drew both praise and anger.

“Our world-leading response has provided a blueprint on how to handle future pandemics,” Premier Roger Cook told reporters on Wednesday.

“It doesn’t validate everything that we did as best practice, but it acknowledges that we did very well protecting lives, and protecting the economy and protecting the social outcomes associated with that.”

WA was almost free of COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic and its overall fatality rate of 0.074 per cent was the lowest in the country.

The $400,000 review made 35 recommendations, including strengthening pandemic planning and scenario testing, reviewing current legislation and removing barriers to public sector workforce mobility.

Investigating ways to bolster support to peak bodies, community organisations and health experts during the pandemic was also recommended.

As was exploring ways to better use business, community and health sector expertise.

The review also urged the development of a campaign to tackle vaccine misinformation and disinformation, which Mr Cook said the government was in the process of doing.

Liberals WA leader Libby Mettam said the review only looked at what worked well.

“It only looked at the issues of which the government could be patted on the back for,” she said.

“There were certainly opportunities for lessons to be learned regarding the fact we had the least compassionate border in the country, given the challenges with our health workforce … the fact we were not battle ready for COVID.”