COVID-19 brings many tests. Amid the health, economic and financial crises brought about by the pandemic, our greatest test is to conduct ourselves as a robust democracy and to demonstrate that we are a fair society. Neither test will be easy to pass, but we must aim to emerge at the other end as a better society.
Already some aspects of the language surrounding the government actions to address the pandemic are not encouraging. Let’s drop any more references to Team Australia and allegedly un-Australian behavior.
But the most problematic language surrounds the allusions to war that are frequently used by many of our political leaders and some of our economists and health experts. The attraction of this language is obvious, because warlike imagery plays up the desired notions of a huge task, a threatening enemy and a unified effort to combat it. It conjures up the reality of a life or death situation in which the very existence of our nation is put at risk.
But all these things can be said without using warlike imagery and such imagery brings dangers with it. Just like the so-called war on terror, wars can threaten civil liberties, centralise power and intimidate opposition. Sacrifices for the cause are called for, without too much emphasise on equality of sacrifice.
The cultural test during the pandemic is how we best manage to balance having a clear and unified national strategy with being open to robust democratic expression, which is more necessary than ever. Both at the political level and within the community there will be pressure against asking reasonable questions and calling out inadequate and confusing government responses.
Already opposition leaders in all jurisdictions have been reduced in status. They will have to tread carefully to avoid the accusation of party politics, but they should resist being silenced. Open discussion was threatened during the bushfire crisis by the trick that 'now is not the time' to ask awkward questions. Climate change activists were shut down. Already critical journalists have been put down by the federal Minister for Health as armchair experts.
'The danger is that the big end of town gets greater support than the vulnerable, on the grounds that support will trickle down into the community. That assumption must be questioned whenever economic stimulus/survival packages are designed.'
The pandemic will also test our commitment as a nation to a fair go for all. That is always the case during national crises. During the GFC, for instance, the welfare community had to fight hard to be included on an equal basis in the various stimulus packages.
The danger is that the big end of town gets greater support than the vulnerable, on the grounds that support will trickle down into the community. That assumption must be questioned whenever economic stimulus/survival packages are designed.
When belt-tightening is discussed, such as cuts in salary and wages to maintain employment in industries such as retail, tourism, the arts or football, it must be based on protecting the interests of those on the margins. Equal treatment, such as percentage cuts, does not necessarily mean fair treatment.
The two elements — practicing robust democracy and ensuring a fair society — go together. Its early days yet and some signs are positive, even if the doubling of the unemployment benefits after years of resisting calls to raise it is ironic. Voices like ACOSS, the ACTU, and, one hopes, church leaders and church agencies, are essential in using robust democracy to call out any threats to a fair society under cover of a crisis. Voices like Vinnies and Catholic Social Services Australia should be treasured.
This means that all elements of our politics, including the design of the stimulus packages, the sittings of parliament and the operation of the national cabinet, must be subject to the same robust analysis as has always been the case. It should even be stepped up.
It is a hard time to be a leader. They can be cut personal slack for their performances under trying and testing circumstances but never critical slack.
John Warhurst is an Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University and Chair of Concerned Catholics Canberra Goulburn. He is a PC 2020 delegate from the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn.
Main image: Parliament House Canberra (Getty Images/timstarkey)