In this land of sunshine and many acres we did not expect to see empty shelves in supermarkets.
We were the lucky country, persuaded by Donald Horne's ironic title, The Lucky Country and we had slipped into a smug sense of security.
But in that 1960's publication now recognised as an Australian classic, the late author meant to be provocative, pricking the conscience of a complacent post-war society.
We might now see, with current COVID-19 social restrictions, that complacency has been truly shattered and our society is undergoing enormous change, albeit with material challenges.
The unnatural hoarding of basic household goods and foodstuffs by a few selfish people has been rightly condemned: but the inability of the logistic chain to maintain supply with the just-in-time planning concept beloved by management accountants has been exposed.
An economy based on takeaway coffee, home renovation and the consumption of cheap imported goods was always going to be found wanting in any crisis.
We have an amazing primary production system: but we cannot continue to export wholesale and import retail.
The current financial support must be only a short-term measure: we need to take a longer look at re-developing an economy which is based upon value adding our abundant naturally produced resources.
In this time of national emergency, where is the strong manufacturing base we once had?
International trade makes the global economy turn, but surely we need to look at ensuring jobs are kept in this country and we can only do this with a diversified industrial base to complement the strength of our agricultural industries.
