CORONAVIRUS — OMICRON MODELLING
12. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
comments that there is no reliable modelling at this point in time when
referring to Omicron, and that the Premier will not release incomplete
information as it is not useful.
(1) What modelling has been
undertaken by the WA government on Omicron?
(2) When did this modelling commence; when will it be
finalised; and when will it be released to the WA public?
(3) Why has the
WA government been unable to undertake the timely release of Omicron modelling
when jurisdictions such as New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and
Queensland have?
(4) With no
Omicron modelling, what was used by the McGowan government to support the
decision regarding indefinitely delaying the border opening and imposing
further community restrictions?
The PRESIDENT: Before I give
the call to the Leader of the House to reply to that question, honourable
member, I will just remind you that in terms
of the motion that has just been passed by the house, when you are asking
questions or speaking, you need to go to the lectern.
Hon Neil Thomson: Sorry; I missed
that.
The PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) Work
on modelling is ongoing and will be released publicly once it is complete. Part
of the Department of Health's ongoing work consists of receiving
up-to-date data and analysing the ongoing spread of the Omicron variant
throughout other jurisdictions, including the eastern states.
(4) As the Premier outlined, this decision was made
upon the latest health advice. This included the extraordinary speed at which Omicron spreads, surging
hospitalisation rates and increasing death rates in other jurisdictions.
The decision to delay the opening allowed WA to deliver a higher third-dose
rate, unlike anywhere else in the world,
which would help reduce the loss of life, save jobs and minimise disruption in
our community and economy.