APRIL 25, 2020

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Welcome to Crikey Weekender.

The road out of the coronavirus crisis will be littered with good intentions and promises; some false, others inspirational and insightful. We make it our business to call out falsehoods and place intentions, good and otherwise, in context.

That’s why this week we introduced the new series ‘Reshaping Oz’ — examining the forces and ideas that are reshaping Australia in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

The pandemic has got a long way to go. Flattening the curve is just the start. The bigger issues revolve around a deceptively simple question: what next?

This weekend we’re featuring Crikey’s writing on how Australia will be changed in the crisis, and the forces that want to shape it to their liking.

Please enjoy, and as always we’d be interested to know what questions you have. Send your thoughts to boss@crikey.com.au.

Have a great weekend,

Peter Fray
Editor-in-chief

Corporations are working to mould the post-pandemic economy in their interests

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

If progressives really want to see meaningful change in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, they need to recognise the powerful forces that will resist it.

Return of ‘the mum and dad investors’

BENJAMIN CLARK 3 minute read

Australian journalists' favourite term is back. This is a zombie movie with no end in sight.

The virus could well be a stage in human history rather than a one-off crisis

“	I was in the US as the lockdowns began across the world, and as Donald Trump and Boris Johnson strutted across the stage, blowing their populist thought-bubbles, releasing the bats from right-wing wonks’ belfries, and the feeling was alarming. — Guy Rundle

We need to stop pretending this virus is a once-in-a-lifetime event, writes Guy Rundle.

Do we have the political will to write a new social contract?

WAYNE SWAN 4 minute read

Australia needs a new social contract if it's to emerge from this crisis in one piece, writes Wayne Swan.

Here’s how Australian manufacturing could be revived by the pandemic

STEPHEN BARTOS 4 minute read

The monumental shifts of the COVID-19 pandemic are having some unexpected consequences, among them the possible revival of Australian manufacturing.

Why cutting population will hit the Australian economy hard

JASON MURPHY 5 minute read

Australia has relied on a migrant population to propel the economy, but it's going to be hard to get it growing again.

Sacrifice the Virgin! Air travel should be nationalised and socialised

GUY RUNDLE 6 minute read

Virgin Australia doesn't exist anymore. Labor and the unions must now protect airline workers and propose bolder ideas for our future.

One thing is for certain — we will soon be living in the age of uncertainty

GLENN DYER and BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

While the Reserve Bank has some thoughts on contraction and recovery, what's clear is that, from here on in, nothing is certain for the economy.

After the virus, what will drive our economy and jobs?

BERNARD KEANE and GLENN DYER 4 minute read

In a world with lower growth and less immigration, Australia's traditional sources of growth won't be able to stimulate jobs growth. What will take their place?

Angus Taylor can’t resist a deal, even amid a global pandemic

“	You’ve got to hand it to Angus Taylor. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, he’s managed to land a deal. — Georgia Wilkins

As the bottom falls out of the global economy, Australia’s energy minister, ever the entrepreneur, has seen an opportunity.

The case for a Virgin buyer — and against government airline ownership

STEPHEN BARTOS 4 minute read

A Qantas monopoly would be bad news for Australian travellers.

Treasurer recycles News Corp’s Google attack. Will it help him? Just ask Malcolm

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

News Corp falsely claims tech giants like Google steal content from it. And now Josh Frydenberg has endorsed its lies.

When this is over, will we recognise the role women played?

GEORGIA WILKINS 3 minute read

Doctors, nurses, teachers, carers and childcare workers are on the front lines in the fight against coronavirus. And the vast majority of them are women.

Do we actually need so many cafes, nail salons and hairdressers?

JANINE PERRETT 3 minute read

Many small businesses will not survive the current economic crisis. And perhaps not all of them should.

Company tax cuts: another front in the ongoing war on young Australians

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

Evidence from Trump's company tax cuts in the US shows that wealthy retirees will be the winners, and younger and low-income Australians the losers, if Australian companies are given a windfall.