Australia implemented international border restrictions early in the course of the pandemic in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This review examines quarantine systems and processes in all States and Territories, except Victoria.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott labelled Victoria a "health dictatorship" and called for its COVID-19 restrictions to be eased, claiming the state responded to its second wave of coronavirus infections with "the most severe lockdown tried anywhere in the world outside of Wuhan". Verdict: Mr Abbott's claim is wrong.

Drawing on evidence from the Victorian Hotel Quarantine Inquiry, this policy brief aims is to lay the foundations for better understanding the features and limits of contracting-out, and to urge reassessment of its appropriateness in relation to government functions that carry significant consequences for public safety and security.

This Special Commission of Inquiry responds to the "mishap" that was the disembarkation of passengers from the cruise ship Ruby Princess on the morning of 19 March 2020. The report finds that on the whole, New South Wales public health officials did attempt to protect the public health against COVID-19 on cruise ships.

As Victoria grapples with surging COVID-19 cases, sparked essentially by breaches linked to hotel quarantine, divisions have emerged between the Federal and Victorian governments over whether the Australian Defence Force offered assistance to help secure quarantine hotels in Victoria.