The Impact and Implications of COVID-19: An Australian Perspective

Abstract

This article describes and discusses the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Australia, its impact on people and the economy and policy responses to these impacts. It discusses the implications of these responses for post-pandemic recovery, though noting that the country’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has, thus far, been among the most successful in the world. Australia’s early physical distancing measures, relatively high per capita testing rates, political stability, national wealth and geographic isolation are among the explanatory factors. This article summarises Australia’s socio-economic responses to the pandemic and shows what this means, especially, for vulnerable groups, and thereby for social inequality, which the pandemic has aggravated and which may become more apparent, still, as debates about paths to economic and social recovery are in some respects already polarising. Although it is relatively early to clearly identify lessons learnt from these responses, it is safe to conclude that further policy development needs to be carefully focused to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.