ANNA FLYNN Executive Director, Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care, Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association
Pandemic kills COAG in pursuit of a ‘new normal’
On 29 May 2020, the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison
on the COAG meeting calendar were effectively
used a press conference after the meeting of
put on hold while everyone tried to work out what
the National Cabinet, formed to deal with the
the Powerpoint slide meant.
COVID-19 pandemic, to announce the end of the
There is no doubt that the National Cabinet has
Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and
performed very well in dealing with a national
he creation of the National Federation Reform
crisis that required combined efforts and quick
Council (NFRC).
decision-making by the leaders of the states,
‘COAG is no more,’ Morrison proudly announced,
territories and the Commonwealth. However, the
unveiling a Powerpoint slide with a complex
councils and sub-committees that underpin COAG
diagram explaining how it ‘will be replaced by a
provide an important level of evidence-based
completely new system and that new system is
assessment and advice on a range of different
focused on the success that has been yielded by
policy areas that require detailed understanding in
the operation of the National Cabinet.’
order to make informed decisions. To simply ditch
The significance of this announcement likely by-
the entire COAG process, which is fundamental to
passed most Australians who are understandably
how national policy is scrutinised and agreed upon,
relieved to see politicians get on with the job of
would seem a little rash.
making sensible decisions. However, hundreds
At the same meeting the Commonwealth,
of bureaucrats across Australia were sent into a
states and territories finally agreed and signed
spin as detailed project plans and stakeholder
the Addendum to the National Health Reform
engagement strategies with key timelines based
Agreement that sets out health
The Health Advocate • AUGUST 2020
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