IanJan 6, 2023
Casey Briggs

Why on earth are Australian governments keeping COVID research and modelling secret? An unhelpful culture of secrecy stifles research, public understanding, and international collaboration.

My latest for ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-07/covid-data-government-secrecy/101827548

Australian governments have kept much of their COVID research and modelling secret. Why?

COVID heralded a great era of cooperation, with researchers collaborating across institutions and borders. That work couldn't have been done if all the research was being locked up by governments — but in Australia, they're doing just that, writes Casey Briggs.

ABC News
Jan 6, 2023 at 8:27pmWeb
Show threadDominic MeagherJan 6, 2023

@caseybriggs good on you Casey. I love your work over the past couple of years.

I wish you had a dozen staff to support data components in all the ABC reporting. Especially crime reporting, where fantastic data usually exists but is never used (though only if it doesn’t take away from your coverage of heath topics).

Show threadEllaJan 7, 2023
@caseybriggs great work, thanks Casey
Show threadAnnette SimpsonJan 7, 2023
@caseybriggs data talks wish we were trusted to have the information especially to then share with the next generation as they have a lot of fascinating and well thought questions
Show threadDavidHortonJan 7, 2023
@caseybriggs But the Chinese …
Show threadFour Larks StuJan 7, 2023
@caseybriggs
Didn't the Australian government use Chinese covid data secrecy as one of the reasons for screening incoming Chinese visitors..?
Bipartisan hypocrisy alive and well down under 🙄
Show threadArtist trying to stay inspiredJan 10, 2023
@caseybriggs Keeping information on covid from the public was not what was expected from a government claiming to care for all.