Simeon Brown: Health Minister on the Government's response to the Covid Inquiry, the implementation of recommendations

The Health Minister says the Government's setting an expectation of accountability in its response to the Covid inquiry.  

It's promising to in future release information around major decisions within five working days and has already proactively released advice from the Covid vaccine advisory group. 

Simeon Brown has committed to reviewing the Health Act, so any future pandemic response balances the protection of public health, the economy, and New Zealanders' rights. 

He told Mike Hosking transparency should be core to any future response to maintain public trust. 

Brown is also rejecting claims the Inquiry could be wasted time if the Government changes after the election. 

He says it provides a framework for future governments, with timely, targeted spending, and transparency, and importantly, they won't be setting up a separate piece of pandemic legalisation – if it needs changing, they'll update what's already there. 

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