Analysis

The Coalition government’s second COVID-19 stimulus package allows workers to draw on their superannuation savings to meet immediate needs. It may sound generous but, as Lisbeth Latham argues, it shifts responsibility onto those already struggling.

Moreland councillor and Socialist Alliance member Sue Bolton speaks to Green Left Radio about the social implications of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Socialist Alliance national convenor Alex Bainbridge speaks to Green Left Radio about the political implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Claudia Forsberg writes the COVID-19 pandemic is unleashing anti-social behaviour that is especially impacting on vulnerable people.

Debate over whether schools should be shut down to stop the spread of COVID-19 have focused on many aspects, but not enough on those who are the most likely to be exposed. Teachers union activist Mary Merkenich puts the case to close schools immediately.

Fresh from the bushfire crisis, communities across Australia are being asked — no, instructed — to “look after each other” during the COVID-19 crisis. That would be fine if governments were not making this simple thing so hard to do, argues Pip Hinman.

While many countries have closed schools as a measure to stem the rate of COVID-19 infection, public schools in Australia are to remain open in stark defiance of the “social distancing” requirements of almost every other aspect of social and economic life. Graham Matthews asks why?

It is amazing what can be achieved by a potentially uncontrollable pandemic that doesn’t discriminate between rich and poor, doesn’t respect national boundaries and will destroy a global economy quicker than I’ll destroy a bottle of gin if forced to stay at home without sport to watch for more than a day, writes Carlo Sands

Bob McIlroy is a small farmer in the Bonang region of East Gippsland, Victoria, with 30 years' experience with the local Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA). He spoke to Green Left about the experience of the giant bushfires and what needs to be done.

While 'social distancing' measures are important, what we need more than ever to get through this crisis is “social solidarity”, write Pip Hinman and Susan Price.

Livestock have been scapegoated for all agricultural greenhouse emissions. But, properly managed, their contribution is negligible for methane, and they can be key to tackling the climate crisis, write Elena Garcia and Alan Broughton.

Eliminating livestock farming is no solution to curb the production of greenhouse gases. However, supporting ecological agriculture and attacking the fossil fuel industry are, argues Alan Broughton.