November
How to avoid harsh lockdowns in the next pandemic
Politicians were the information gatekeepers in Australia during the economically crippling lockdowns of 2021, but scientists have a better idea.
- Michael Smith
October
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Without trust, our institutions lose authority. Just ask Trump
In 2016 Donald Trump stormed into office on the back of a widespread voter cynicism and distrust. He is a coin toss away from doing so again.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- Opinion
COVID-19 bullies could get away with it again
During the pandemic, few Australians were brave enough to say “stop”. We can hope for a different future, but there’s no sign things will be different next time.
- John Roskam
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Don’t suppress democracy in a pandemic
Not even a public health crisis should justify suppression of the normal rules of democratic debate about government actions and policy alternatives.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Opinion
The danger of COVID zealots has not passed
The proposed new Australian Centre for Disease Control is open to the same ideological capture that plagued its US counterpart.
- Nick Coatsworth
Ex-health minister backs COVID inquiry’s criticism of the states
Greg Hunt said the findings echoed his own concerns over the unilateral actions of the premiers, and notes more people had died from the virus since Labor was elected.
- Phillip Coorey
- Opinion
- Jim Chalmers
Good policy was good politics – until COVID came along
Mercifully the authors of the pandemic inquiry report have sidestepped the terms of reference and called out the behaviour of the states.
- Phillip Coorey
Heavy-handed COVID restrictions have destroyed trust in government
Many of the measures taken during COVID‑19 are unlikely to be accepted by the population again, due to the lack of trust created by the heavy-handed response.
- Updated
- Phillip Coorey and Tom McIlroy
Pandemic HomeBuilder response fuelled inflation and housing shortage
Most of the $2.6 billion stimulus during the COVID-19 pandemic was spent on renovations, not building new homes, an inquiry has found.
- John Kehoe
- Opinion
- Coronavirus pandemic
Overall, Australia’s COVID management was a huge success
Where we succeeded, it was the result of good institutions and good decision-making. But that’s not to say we didn’t stumble.
- Steven Hamilton and Richard Holden
- Opinion
- Coronavirus pandemic
Inquiry whitewashes the colossal mismanagement
The authors of the report are oblivious to the most fundamental big-picture cracks in our institutions revealed by the country’s Covid-19 response.
- Gigi Foster
Six things Australia got wrong in the pandemic
The federal government’s expert review into Australia’s COVID-19 crisis response says future pandemics should be handled differently.
- Tom McIlroy
- Analysis
- Vaccination
We should never see such an old-school pandemic response again
At the next pandemic, Australia should focus on key risk groups and be driven by reliable official public data.
- Tom Burton
April
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Ansell shows how to create new interest in an old story
Cheap stock never goes out of fashion. The key for a company is to issue it only occasionally, and make the most of when it does.
- Anthony Macdonald
January
Controlling COVID ‘at all costs’ went too far: ex-deputy health chief
Officials persisted with policies despite the changing nature of the pandemic, while state powers on lockdowns need to be reined in, Dr Nick Coatsworth said.
- John Kehoe
November 2023
Boris Johnson ‘bamboozled’ by science, COVID-19 inquiry hears
The UK’s chief scientific adviser said Boris Johnson struggled to understand the advice of scientists during the COVID pandemic which killed 232,000 in the UK.
- Pan Pylas
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Banks sign off on healthcare group Healius’ long fall from grace
What happens after a strong founder leaves a company? This big healthcare group is a cautionary tale.
- Anthony Macdonald
JobKeeper recipients hit by pay penalty, report finds
The Morrison government’s $89 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy went on for too long and tied workers to lower paying jobs, an independent review has found.
- John Kehoe
October 2023
- Opinion
- The AFR View
JobKeeper worked, but the bill is unpaid
The Albanese government has still not squared up to the fiscal policy challenges left by the pandemic.
- The AFR View
September 2023
- Opinion
- Opinion
COVID-19 inquiry betrays all who worked hard to overcome the crisis
The Morrison government had Robo-debt as its shame. Will Albanese government’s greatest shame be failing to seek key lessons about to deal with the next pandemic?
- Peter Strong