Invoking Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan as examples of economic reform which are relevant in the COVID-19 crisis probably goes a step too far, but there is an opportunity for making the workforce more effective and it lies in education, says Deloitte Access Economics partner John O'Mahony.

Australia has a history of being complacent about reform during prosperity and implementing reform during economic downturns. After 29 years of growth there have been few spurs to reform.