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?

Australian’s need to have a community wide conversation over what sort of country we aspire to be and what is the best path to take us there. This conversation needs to be inclusive of all groups, transparent and respectful. The conversation will take time as there are many deep seated and complex issues that need to be surfaced - and compromises made in the interest of the common good. A well-structured, well-informed and well reported Citizens Jury could play a major role in helping our community move through such a conversation in a timely and effective fashion.

Our nations' democratic will is being held hostage by a minority group of politicians. This is putting our future national wellbeing at risk. The Prime Minister “Morrison is saying he won’t make a commitment when its consequences are not grasped by the public” (Paul Kelly, The Australian, 18/2/20). There is a way of the public being well informed over, and grasping the consequences of, a 2050 Zero Emissions Target: A Citizens Jury – transparent, informed and deliberative! (The UK and French governments have already engaged such processes for their citizens.) Ask your local federal member to support such action!

"NSW Treasurer Perrottet slams Canberra for tax reform drought"(AFR) For just on two decades Australian Governments have baulked at significant reform of our tax system. In this era of policy inertia, produced by a dysfunctional political system that is overly responsive to individual economic and social pressure groups, we need a "breakout" process that defines a "common good" solution.John Key managed to resolve a similar difficulty in NZ by using a "transparent and deliberative process" run with the help of Wellington University. The Australian Government could easily use a Citizens Jury to review and develop a "common good" Australian tax proposal.

"In other words, parliament should do its job properly rather than choosing the lazy path of enacting deliberately unclear laws." (Janet Albrechtsen 12/2/20).Our government is using Royal Commissions, regulators and the courts to try and change things rather than governing.It is clear that our parliament cannot effectively find consensus that represents community views on multiple issues. Political gaming has overtaken fact driven process and policy.The time has come for Australia to follow the enlightened examples coming from other countries, and start using community based "deliberative democracy" processes to transparently determine the "common good" for challenging policy issues!