A committee should be set up to prepare for a possible "second wave" of coronavirus in Western Australia, Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup says.
Mr Kirkup, who is shadow minister for health, wants an "independent" expert review committee to report on how well the state is prepared for an outbreak.
He has written to health minister Roger Cook asking for Labor's backing, saying it would ease the fears of people in his Dawesville electorate.
"We have seen interstate how quickly this virus can race through communities and the devastating toll it leaves in its wake," Mr Kirkup said.
"The public needs reassurance that what is happening in Victoria won't happen here. They don't have that at the moment.
"I know the people in my electorate of Dawesville are frightened by the threat of COVID-19. I hear it every day when I am out door-knocking.
He said the committee would also determine the current risks of the virus entering WA.
"We need to assess preparations in WA for our capacity to perform surge testing, rapidly ramp up tracing and implement isolated suburb by suburb, regional or facility-based lockdowns.
"It is also critical given what has happened in Victoria that we can be assured we are properly prepared when it comes to protecting and responding to any outbreak in our aged care facilities.
"And it is important there is an audit of hotel quarantining in WA because of recent breaches and the significant risk posed by people entering our state from interstate and overseas."
He suggested the committee could include former health ministers such as tJim McGinty and Dr Kim Hames, and seek advice from Australian Medical Association (WA) and other peak bodies.
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Daniela Cooper
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
