There is no justification for the uniquely high-level of secrecy the Australian government has maintained throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A certain level of government secrecy is to be expected if you are dealing with national security or the military, but not during a public health emergency.  

The response to coronavirus has impacted every aspect of our lives and liberties, and Australians have been compliant and rewarded our leaders with high approval ratings.    

But, as the first interim report from the Senate select committee into the Australian Government’s handling of COVID-19 has found, Australians’ goodwill has been met with an alarming lack of transparency.