Australia has done remarkably well in its battle against COVID-19. Nationwide lockdowns have significantly flattened the curve and given Australia's medical system the capacity to deal with existing cases and prepare for the road ahead.

It's clear that governments everywhere are balancing two immense forces that appear difficult to reconcile. There is the obvious need to protect us all against a disease that has proven its ability to spread rapidly and inflict a horrible toll on human life. The other is a need for economies to continue to remain operable, for us all to maintain our livelihoods and way of life.