A Senate committee has been established to put the federal government's coronavirus response under the microscope.

The Labor-chaired inquiry was approved on Wednesday afternoon as a reduced federal parliament returned to pass the $130 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy plan.

The committee is aimed at filling a void of scrutiny opened after the suspension of parliamentary sittings until August.

The Senate has established a Select Committee on COVID-19 to inquire into the Australian Government's response to the pandemic and any related matters. The Committee is due to present its final report on or before 30 June 2022 — Australian Senate (@AuSenate) April 8, 2020

Earlier on Wednesday, Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the committee was needed to examine how the government was responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

"That will ensure there is oversight during this period. That is very important indeed," he said.

The seven-member Select Committee on COVID-19 will be chaired by Labor's finance spokesperson Katy Gallagher.

AAP

Liberal Senator James Paterson will be the government's nominee as the committee's deputy chair.

"Parliamentary scrutiny remains important in times of crisis," Senator Paterson said in a statement.

"Given the extraordinary measures governments have been required to implement to tackle COVID-19, it is more important than ever."

Liberal Senator James Paterson @SenPaterson will be the government's nominee as Deputy Chair of the Senate Select Committee into the response to COVID-19



Labor Senator Katy Gallagher @SenKatyG will be the chair.@SBSNews #auspol pic.twitter.com/Ukh8Bg0vCe — Jamie Travers (@JamieTravers) April 8, 2020

Overall, the committee includes three Labor senators, two coalition senators, one Greens senator, and independent Jacqui Lambie.

The committee will have broad terms of reference to look at all aspects of the government's response to the pandemic.

Labor's preference was for a scaled-down parliament to meet regularly during the pandemic, but the government moved to suspend sittings.

The government has said parliament can be recalled if needed, but politicians should follow health advice to stay home.

Lower House crossbench MPs Andrew Wilkie, Helen Haines, Rebekha Sharkie, Adam Bandt and Zali Steggall have called for separate coronavirus economic and health committees.

Ms Steggall said oversight was important.

"There needs to be flexibility to ensure decisions have the intended effect and oversight to ensure there is no abuse of the system," she said.

The Australia Institute think tank has released a poll showing two-thirds of people support having a parliamentary committee looking into Australia's coronavirus response.

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About one in eight people opposed the idea, the poll showed.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.

With additional reporting from AAP