The government’s battle against coronavirus is also a battle for the hearts and minds of Australians. If the Prime Minister fails in winning the latter, his ability to fight and win the former will be significantly compromised. It’s evident to most that Scott Morrison is doing everything a good leader can to win this war, but as goes the law of unintended consequences, he is on the cusp of losing the battle for Australia’s hearts and minds, because of the absence of reassuring battle cries. 

War-time crises require war-time speeches, as much as it requires determined and resolute wartime leaders.