ACT Senator Katy Gallagher will lead a Senate committee examining the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, with the opposition and government set to vote together when parliament sits on Wednesday.
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Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the party had been working cooperatively with the government throughout the coronavirus crisis, but criticised the decision to suspend parliamentary sittings until August while the crisis plays out.
The committee will have a broad remit, examining the more than $300 billion in spending announcements made by the government so far, and won't be required to report until 2022.
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"The fact is that what we're seeing is an unprecedented level of expenditure in response to an unprecedented health and economic crisis," Mr Albanese said.
The committee will have three Labor members, one Greens member, Jacqui Lambie representing the crossbench and two members of the government.
Senator Gallagher said it would be the most important inquiry she had been a part of and would provide the ability to question officials and take submissions about any aspect of the government's response to coronavirus.
"[The outbreak is] a defining feature, really, of this parliament," she said.
The decision by Labor and the government to vote together on a Senate committee means a two joint parliamentary committees proposed by the crossbench are unlikely to be successful.
Independents Zali Steggall, Helen Haines, Andrew Wilkie, Rebekah Sharkie and the Greens wanted a committee with members from both houses to ensure scrutiny of the unprecedented spending by the government.
One committee would look at the health response and another would examine the economic response.
Only joint committees could compel ministers from both houses to appear at hearings, the crossbench argues.
Mr Albanese said a Senate committee was preferable to a joint or House of Representatives committee as those committees would be chaired by a member of the government.
Independents have also called for parliament to be recalled earlier than August.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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Sally Whyte
I report on a range of issues in federal politics and the public service, with a real passion for how decisions made in Canberra affect the lives of Australians.
I report on a range of issues in federal politics and the public service, with a real passion for how decisions made in Canberra affect the lives of Australians.
