It is during crises, be they pandemics, natural disasters or war, that we see the true nature of Australian society reveal itself.

During this so-called 'fuel crisis' (misnamed - it is a crisis of international relations with fuel price symptoms) I have not seen a single billionaire step up to the plate and help people. And noone expects them to.

But what we HAVE seen are reminders of the benefits of collective ownership of public goods. Esp public transport, but the case is also being made for publicly owned energy infrastructure, petrol stations and supermarkets given the interventions in these 'markets'.

Ignore the RW, IPA-style libertarian hype. Australians expect large, competent, interventionist government. Not timid contract managers of publicly funded essential services run for the primary benefit of investors.

The Party that captures and communicates this imperative the best will win elections.

#auspol