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Editor's note
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Before the coronavirus pandemic struck, probably few of us would have had a clear conception of what good political leadership in a global health crisis might look like. Frank Bongiorno writes that, as this summer drew to a close, many of us would have had some fairly firm ideas of what leadership in a bushfire crisis should not look like – going on an overseas holiday at a critical time, for example, or forcing traumatised people to shake
hands. Prime Minister Scott Morrison argued at the time it was not his job to “hold a hose”. But sometimes, Bongiorno argues, it is.
As prime ministers, James Scullin and John Curtin had to do just that; the former during the Great Depression; the latter in the second world war. After a disastrous handling of the bushfires, Morrison has shown himself to be an adaptable leader. But how he deals with the immense task of rebuilding the economy in the wake of pandemic may well be more challenging to his leadership than anything so far.
P.S. We rely on reader donations and this year, more than ever, every gift makes a difference. A donation to The Conversation is an investment in experts. If you’re able, please support us, and a heartfelt thanks if you already have.
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Amanda Dunn
Section Editor: Politics + Society
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Top stories
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Wes Mountain/The Conversation
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