In the closing days of March this year, both the threat and impact of coronavirus had become all-too real. The disease was spreading fast, Australians were ordered home until further notice and a degree of confusion and mild panic took over.
In response, the Australian Government formed the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) giving it a very clear remit to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on people, communities’ and business.
On this week’s edition of Work with Purpose, we speak with Jane Halton AO PSM, one of the four NCCC Executive Board of Commissioners hand-picked by the Government for their expertise in government, the private and not-for-profit sectors.
Jane Halton is an Australian Public service legend.
During her 33 year career in the APS, she served as a secretary of the Departments of Finance and Health (and Ageing) for 15 of those years; She has gone on to Chair the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations as well as significant roles in Global Health Governance including as Chair of the board of the WHO. She is also a board member of the ANZ Bank. Her experience, networks and knowledge mean Jane is uniquely positioned to advise the government on how best to not only manage the health crisis but to restore livelihoods as quickly as possible.
Discussed in this episode:
- Funding and creating the COVAX Facility
- The planned distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine
- Recognising the significance of the pandemic as it unfolded across the globe
- What the COVID-19 commission has achieved over the past 4 months
- Working with industry to streamline delivery during the pandemic
- Maintaining personal resilience.