State Lockdowns, Mandates Free From Scrutiny in New Federal Inquiry into Pandemic

Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Coatsworth has called the decision “concerning.”

Police arrest a man for resisting to wear a face mask on the first day of a snap lockdown in Brisbane, Australia, on Jan. 9, 2021. Patrick Hamilton/AFP via Getty Images

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced an inquiry into the federal government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking in Adelaide on the morning of Sept. 21, Mr. Albanese said the inquiry was “appropriate” as Australia prepared for future pandemics.