Oversight powers have been imposed on a new independent committee which is responsible for reviewing, providing advice and making recommendations on the State’s pandemic orders.
Appointing the panel of independent experts, Minister for Health, Martin Foley said the Independent Pandemic Management Advisory Committee (IPMAC) included members with knowledge and experience in fields such as public health, infectious diseases, primary care, emergency services, critical care, business, law and human rights.
Mr Foley said IPMAC could review, provide advice and make recommendations to the Minister for Health on the exercise of his powers to make pandemic orders.
“The Minister must consider any reviews initiated by the Committee and may also request its advice,” he said.
“The Committee’s reports to the Minister must be tabled in Parliament within four sitting days.
“The Pandemic Declaration Accountability and Oversight Committee must request and consider the advice of the IPMAC before it can recommend that a pandemic order be disallowed in whole or in part.”
Mr Foley said multiple members of IPMAC also represented the interests and needs of traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians, as well as other vulnerable communities, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
He said the Committee’s establishment was part of the State’s pandemic management framework, which included the publication of advice provided by the Chief Health Officer to the Minister for Health and the ability of the Parliament to disallow pandemic orders.
