In recent months, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has faced pressure both domestically and internationally to do more on climate change. In contrast, state governments have been applauded for adopting more ambitious emissions reduction targets.
Data from the Australian Leadership Index suggests these differences may have electoral consequences. It found environmental outcomes increasingly shape how voters view their political leaders. And alarmingly for the Morrison government, the public has well and truly registered its lack of action on climate change.
In 2020, public attention on COVID-19 provided some cover for political leaders not acting on climate change. But from February to April this year, when climate issues rose to the fore, producing positive environmental outcomes became a key driver of public perceptions of political leadership.
Jason Pallant, Vlad Demsar, Sylvia Gray, Tim Bednall and Melissa Wheeler and Sam Wilson
February 25, 2021
Source: Unsplash/Laura Cros.
Australians believe small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have the potential to drive our recovery post-COVID-19, but a collective effort from government, business and consumers is needed to help them thrive.
The impact on small business
The past 12–18 months have been extremely challenging for most consumer-facing businesses, except for supermarkets, and some home and electronics retailers.
Larger businesses have drawn on resources and government support to adapt, offering new purchasing channels, modes of distribution, and product categories. Some recorded record sales, others continued to pay executive bonuses despite claiming government support schemes.