Coronavirus: Now is not the time for the politics of division

There is a new political reality of shifting uncertainty from day to day which requires a recognition from all our leaders of the dangers of the conflict of the old politics and power structures.

Point-scoring has no upside for anyone and power rivalries weaken everyone.

With the greatest existential threat to Australia in more than 75 years and the biggest health threat in more than 100 years, the most lethal danger to our health, social order and economy is anxiety: public fear that creates disorder and breeds destructive panic.

Monday’s federal parliamentary sitting, an extraordinary meeting which could be the last for months and months, was an overall success in the name of co-operation, common sense and unity.

The real outcome was legislation for more than $60bn in economic stimulus and a bipartisan blank cheque for a further $40bn.

The package included constructive ideas from the opposition, which the government incorporated, and an agreement to “differ” politically over the assistance measures but not to defer. This was both the epitome of parliamentary behaviour and democratic principles.

It was a test of character for all MPs and of the parliament as an institution.

Scott Morrison was determined and steadfast in the measures he put forward, with his stated priorities being to limit the spread of coronavirus and prepare for a quick economic recovery after the inevitable peaking of the pandemic.

Morrison thanked Anthony Albanese and Labor for their co-operation in passing a package they did not entirely agree with and he thanked the state and territory leaders, who now form the national cabinet, but he also warned it was down to every Australian to enter the fight with their own generational test of character. The test of character will be unparalleled for most Australians and for older generations only part of a shared family memory of world war and economic depression.

“The tests, hardships and sacrifices that will be placed on all of us, on our national character, will undoubtedly break our hearts on many occasions in the months ahead,” Morrison said. “But we must resolve today, as Australians, to come together, and to pledge to each other across our nation, that this coronavirus will not break our Australian spirit,” he told parliament.

The Opposition Leader was equally earnest in his responses and defence of the parliamentary and democratic examples that had to be set.

But away from the parliamentary chamber there was evidence of some old fashioned political posturing, point-scoring and deliberate mischief about state and federal responsibilities arising from the national cabinet structure.

Labor demanded more leadership from Morrison and accused him of playing the blame game over the Ruby Princess disembarkation fiasco and the confusion over school closures.

It was misplaced opportunism beyond the spirit of parliamentary co-operation.