Sky News host Chris Kenny says while Australia has fared better than other countries during the pandemic because of the actions taken by state and federal governments, "our success has come at an enormous cost".
"We have killed off jobs and businesses, kept families apart, ruined careers, disrupted educations, crushed communities and set ourselves back economically," he said.
"More importantly, we have burdened our children and their children with a thousand billion dollars of debt - yes a trillion dollars of debt. So we should avoid self-congratulation.
"National lockdowns, closed state borders, kids banned from school, a curfew in Melbourne, people banned from leaving home, forced to wear masks even when walking alone, and people arrested for posting dissenting views on social media.
"None of this was necessary. None of this was needed. It caused enormous pain, and it has given state governments - in particular - a power trip."
Mr Kenny sa
For the first time since National Cabinet was established in March the premiers and Prime Minister Scott Morrison will meet face-to-face in Canberra on Friday for their last meeting of the year.