Public health emergencies can be caused by events which impact on public health or events that can potentially overwhelm the health-system.

For example, a highly infectious disease spreading through the community, health impacts arising from emergencies (for example smoke from a major fire or waterborne diseases during a flood), and any mass casualty situations or weather-related events such as thunderstorm asthma.

Examples of significant public health emergencies include the Victoria’s thunderstorm asthma event of 21–22 November 2016, and the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Publish year Assurance activity Summary Organisation
2021 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry - Progress Report 2020 (External link) An assessment of progress in implementing recommendations and affirmations from the 2014 and 2015–16 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry reports. In this report IGEM monitors 11 government actions and 1 recommendation that were reported as ongoing in 2019. The report finds that some actions are close to completion, and others involve complex legislative reforms that require time to fully implement. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2021 The widening divide in Melbourne: How COVID-19 transmission through the city increased existing inequality. (External link) An examination of the unequal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it further exacerbated Melbourne’s existing income inequality - while many suffered job losses, others were able to substantially increase their household savings.
 KPMG Australia
2021 COVID-19 outbreaks in Australian residential aged care facilities (External link) An independent review into COVID-19 outbreaks in Australian residential aged care facilities, commissioned by the Australian government Independent
2021 Inquiry into the health impacts of air pollution in Victoria (External link) The report makes 16 findings and 35 recommendations on actions to minimise the health impacts of air pollution. Exposure to common air pollutants can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, lead to premature death and cost the Victorian economy hundreds of millions of dollars per year. Vehicle transport, electricity generation, heavy industry, bushfires and dust storms all contribute to poor air quality.

Parliament of Victoria
2021 Investigation into decision making under the Victorian Border Crossing Permit Directions (External link) An investigation into Victorian Border Crossing Permit Directions introduced to manage the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis including matters raised by 315 complainants.
The report acknowledges that the decisions to issue the Border Directions during Victoria’s public health emergency were not unjustified or unreasonable, but makes 2 recommendations to remove the complex and constrained bureaucracy which led to some unjust and inhumane outcomes. 		Victorian Ombudsman
2021 Strengthening our health communication systems: pandemic lessons for Melbourne’s west (External link) An identification of the elements of an effective health communication system, this report draws upon literature from COVID-19 and other pandemic or emergency responses and provides detailed recommendations for regions, governments and local implementers, including considerations for engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Independent
2020 COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry Final Report and Recommendations (External link) An inquiry established due to the link between the second wave of COVID-19 cases and the outbreaks from the Hotel Quarantine Program. This final report finds that there were serious failings, in terms of provision of pandemic planning across the broader Victorian health sector and is to be read in conjunction with the interim report. Board of Inquiry into the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Program
2020 COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry Interim Report and Recommendations (External link) An interim report identifying issues emerging from the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry prior to the delivery of the final report and makes recommendations for a Quarantine Program in Victoria as the Victorian Government considers re-opening to international arrivals. Board of Inquiry into the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Program
2020 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry - Annual Report 2019 (External link) An assessment of progress in implementing recommendations and affirmations from the 2014 and 2015–16 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry reports. In this report IGEM extended its reporting to include effectiveness monitoring of three completed actions, which provided further assurance that implemented actions have achieved their objectives. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2020 Inquiry into the Victorian Government's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic - Interim Report (External link) A review of the responses taken by the Victorian Government, including as part of the National Cabinet, to manage the COVID-19 pandemic; and any other matter related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parliament of Victoria