October
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
Andrews’ appointment to mental health role ‘wrong on many levels’
The ex-Victorian premier has been appointed chairman of a youth mental health research body in a move the state opposition called a travesty.
- Gus McCubbing
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
September 2023
- Opinion
- Coronavirus pandemic
COVID-19 inquiry must ask the hard questions
Pandemic lockdowns and over-stimulus were responsible for inflation and cost-of-living pressures, so Australia must learn from what policymakers did right and wrong.
- John Kehoe
April 2023
How the pandemic became an economic crisis
In this extract from “Pandemedia”, The Australian Financial Review’s Patrick Durkin explains how his coronavirus experience began with a car race.
- Patrick Durkin
Lockdowns made us feel worse, but only slightly
Melbourne’s lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns may not have been as devastating to the mental health of its residents as first thought.
- Melissa Meehan
March 2023
- Opinion
- Coronavirus pandemic
The truth is out there: COVID-19 was about politics, not science
When The New York Times allows its star columnist to write an oped revealing that mask mandates did nothing to stop the spread, it’s obvious something is changing the narrative about the pandemic.
- John Roskam
November 2022
- Analysis
- Coronavirus pandemic
Shanghai protests: ‘We want everyone to hear our voice’
Spontaneous demonstrations in Shanghai and across the country underscore growing discontent against China’s strict ‘zero-COVID’ policies.
- Thomas Hale
‘Temple of Boom’ ode to Parthenon at the NGV
Melburnians wanting to see the ruins of the Parthenon need only head to the National Gallery of Victoria this summer.
- Liz Hobday
October 2022
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Pandemic inquiry must learn lessons, not play the blame game
What is required now is calm, dispassionate, depoliticised analysis of what went right or wrong, to learn the policy lessons for the next crisis.
- The AFR View
July 2022
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Australians have adjusted to pandemic normal
Omicron infection levels and deaths are surging this year. But the public’s assessment of pandemic risks has changed substantially.
- The AFR View
May 2022
WHO warns China’s zero-COVID strategy not sustainable
The World Health Organisation’s rare public criticism comes after modelling suggested 1.55 million people could die if the omicron wave hits.
- Sarah Newey
As Beijing tightens curbs, hard-hit Shanghai sees signs of life
The outbreak in China’s most populous city and the risk of a spread in Beijing are testing the government’s zero-COVID approach.
- Ryan Woo and Brenda Goh
April 2022
Beijing to test 20 million for COVID-19 as lockdown jitters grow
Beijing’s decision to ramp up testing has raised expectations of an imminent lockdown similar to Shanghai’s.
- Ryan Woo
- Exclusive
- Leadership lessons
Benioff says braver politics and business can let tech save the world
The influential Salesforce CEO says politicians must be braver on climate and immigration policy, while innovators can ride financial waves to help save the planet.
- Paul Smith
Artificial intelligence keeps the spirits up during the pandemic
Coles will use AI to make sure the right drinks are in all of its bottle shops, in the latest example of digitising business processes that have soared since COVID-19 hit.
- Paul Smith
March 2022
Shanghai’s tale of two cities as it locks down in halves
China’s most important commercial city will be locked down in two stages over the next week and a half.
- Michael Smith
February 2022
- Exclusive
- Leadership lessons
Lessons from Zuckerberg, Benioff and Mayer for tech’s new star
In just two days Bret Taylor rose from relative obscurity to become one of the most powerful individuals in tech, but the Salesforce co-CEO and Twitter chair says he still has lots to do.
- Paul Smith
January 2022
- Opinion
- Australia's Pandemic
Productivity Commission must dissect our pandemic performance
Australia got things right and wrong in managing COVID-19. But there was enough confusion to warrant a thorough national review ahead of next time.
- Tom Westland
Some silver linings in seismic changes wrought by pandemic
COVID-19’s toll cannot be overstated. But in the valley of the shadow of the virus, there has been remarkable resilience.
- Sarah Maslin Nir