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As we review health governance during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have an opportunity to reflect on these processes and ensure that future challenges might be managed in a more collaborative and whole of system response. This 'Perspective' reviews COVID-19 responses in Australia, reflects on a number of potential solutions that have been developed by organisations over the past two decades and proffers a governance framework for a Communicable Disease and Pandemic Management Authority that might assist health responses to future challenges. What is known about the topic? Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were at best disorganised with multiple failures at almost every level. Reflecting on these responses is essential if we are to perform better in future health and societal crises, which will inevitably occur. What does this paper add? This paper summarises a number of organisational 'structures' and discussion documents that have been developed over the past decades which might be useful starting points for development of a structure(s) that would leave Australia in a better position when the next 'wave' hits. What are the implications for practitioners? Good governance is fundamental to how we do business and the complexities of the health and welfare system(s) only compound these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]