The Business Council of Australia welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the inquiry into COVID-19, the biggest economic and health crisis to strike Australia for one hundred years. On the whole, Australia navigated the COVID-19 pandemic extremely well compared with other countries when comparing the tens of thousands of avoided lives lost and limiting the negative economic impact.

The aim of an examination of the COVID experience should be to understand what worked well, such as collaboration between governments and business, and identify areas for improvement. The prominent role of the Australian business community cannot be overstated. These lessons will be vital for navigating the next crisis.

This submission focuses on the economic and governance elements of the response to COVID, rather than the health response.

Read the submission here.