What Happens Next? Reconstructing Australia after COVID-19

by Emma Dawson (Editor), Janet McCalman (Editor)

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the global economy, a reset to serve the wellbeing of people and the planet was plainly needed. As Australia rebuilds, after the immediate health crisis has passed, it must be with the explicit purpose of constructing an economically and ecologically sustainable world. After the Great Depression and the Second World War, economic thinking was transformed across the Anglosphere, with a determination to create a more equitable society and support every child, regardless of background, to achieve their full potential. Australia's leaders reshaped our economy through a determined and coordinated program of post-war reconstruction. Their reforms set us up for decades of prosperity and the creation of perhaps the most prosperous and stable society on earth. With contributions from some of Australia's most respected academics and leading thinkers, What Happens Next? sets out a progressive, reforming agenda to tackle the twin crises of climate change and inequality. It provides a framework through which our collective effort can be devoted to improving the lives of all Australians, and the sustainability of the world in which we live.

Contributors include: Emma Dawson; Professor Janet McCalman AC; The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP; Thomas Mayor; Dr Liz Allen; Professor Clinton Fernandes; Dr Shireen Morris; Osmond Chiu; Michele O'Neil; Professor Fiona Stanley; Professor Mike Daube AO; and Dr Jim Chalmers.

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 29, 2020

Reviews

[Krystelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

So where do we go from here? There’s barely any stone left unturned in this anthology in some respects, but there’s a complete lack of other subjects being covered, and I felt in the end that there were things that were left off the list here. I wanted this book to cover more, but I just didn’t think it went far enough. I know it’s kinda hard to know where things are going to go with COVID-19, but this book was perhaps a little too little, a little too early.

[Adam Halilovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for those who wonder what the next step for Australia is after Covid-19. A mostly apolitical (some of the politicians take digs on the other side) that all essayist show where we are and their plans for where we could be that is backed up by research and documentation. Would recommend for all as a read