To borrow a phrase from Paul Keating, every galah in every pet shop has an opinion on the COVID-19 situation. Also echoing Keating, those opinions reflect the widely varied self-interest of their proponents. This leaves the government with a challenge – how to negotiate a path that is sound policy, politically saleable and achievable, despite lacking a majority in the Senate.

Broadly speaking, opinions tend to fall into two groups – those who worry mainly about the risk of infection, and those primarily concerned about the economic harm.