It seems the pandemic has disappeared – from our TV screens at least.

Last week, the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader debated the usual run of pre-election promises without making mention of the virus. Meanwhile, polls suggest a significant swing away from major parties towards minor parties and independents.

Why? Neither the media nor the major parties see fit to address the elephant in the room: the reckoning of Australia’s pandemic response.

For the past two years, Australians have endured impositions on liberty from both national and state governments, all in the name of ‘keeping us safe’.