As the country endures a mental health crisis, economic hardship and the erosion of trust in public health, the Australian Health Minister says there is nothing to be sorry about.

In September 2023, the Australian government announced an independent Inquiry into nation’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

From the outset, critics predicted a whitewash.

The government had already walked back its promise to hold a Royal Commission.

Instead, it settled for an ‘Inquiry’ that would lack broad powers to compel witnesses under oath and subpoena documents.

It was billed as an “independent” Inquiry, but two of the three appointed experts had already shown favour towards the government’s covid policies.

And many complained the “terms of reference” were too narrow to allow a full accounting of the decisions made by State and Territory governments.

The year-long investigation recently concluded, and the findings were released in a 868-page report.