“We truly do have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to recraft the kind of society we want to be and the type of economy we need to achieve it.” “We must be an aspirational society that rewards hard work and puts money in the pockets of ordinary Australians, and an entrepreneurial society where we can keep and attract the best and brightest.” Jennifer Westacott  (The Australian 27/4/20)

As we face the need to reboot our economy and paydown the debt created by the pandemic crisis, there is a once in a lifetime opportunity to re-think and re-focus our taxation structure to give improved incentive to work and make productive investments. We should seek taxation structures that are simple to administer and difficult to avoid.   For too long we have seen people taxed on their work at too high a level relative to the returns given to passive capital (including the family home). All taxes should be put on the table for consideration with no sacred cows.

It is promising to hear the Prime Minister publicly signalling a desire to replace the fraught COAG process with a National C

During a COAG (Coalition of Australian Governments) meeting in mid March, at the time of the market meltdown,  Prime Min

The New Zealand government has created an  Epidemic Response Committee to replace Parliament which has been shut down. One crucial feature is that the government allowed the non-government parties a majority of its members so that it could apply genuine scrutiny. The committee is chaired by the Opposition Leader. "It's met twice and so far it seems to be doing well on two fronts," said a professor of constitutional law at New Zealand's Otago University, Andrew Geddis. "MPs haven't shied away from asking questions, so it's not a rubber stamp, and it's been free of nasty partisanship. And the opposition has been constructive, trying to make it better". https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/calls-for-g

Australians generally have a good sense of reality and a healthy cynicism. We can also band together and mutually support when times are tough. It is good to see most of our Federal and State politicians, labour and business leaders demonstrating cooperative leadership in the face of the COVID-19 challenge. The ‘National Cabinet’ is fulfilling a good coordinating role. Differences of view are being aired and common good responses determined, based on the best evidence available. Not everything is perfect, nor will it ever be. Liberal democracy in action! Can we carry these lessons forward, once the crisis has passed?