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Quarterly Essay 79: The End of Certainty

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Quarterly Essay 79: The End of Certainty

By: Katharine Murphy
Narrated by: Cymone Rose
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About this listen

Epidemics are mirrors. What has COVID-19 revealed about Australia and about Scott Morrison and his government?

In this gripping essay, Katharine Murphy goes behind the scenes to tell the story of the response to the crisis. Drawing on interviews with Morrison, Brendan Murphy, Josh Frydenberg, Sally McManus and other players, she traces how the key health and economic decisions were taken.

©2020 Katharine Murphy (P)2020 Audible, Ltd Australia & Oceania Oceania Politics & Government World Capitalism Government Socialism
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I found this essay to be very informative and well researched. Personally, I didn't mind the perky narrator as this topic is troubling for many people so having a more serene voice made listening to a difficult topic easier and more bearable. I did lose some focus during the chapter that spoke of Morrisons faith and had to relisten. You could skip this chapter and not miss much, however, that would be more my opinion as the topic doesn't interest me (and some might find it an insight into Morrison). Overall, a good listen to have a broader understanding of the current crisis.

An interesting listen to an uncertain topic

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This is a delicious scintillating deep dive into Australian politics through the lens of its response to Covid-19.

The exploratory surgery into discovering the real Scott Morrison was particularly intriguing.

Keep it coming.

Another fabulous (and free) essay

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Katherine has a way of synthesising contemporary political Australia as few other journalists are able to do . Thankyou

Excellent analysis

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Recapped the journey of the pandemic and politics of federalism in Australia. Not much new but some interesting observations of pragmatic politics, particularly PM Morrison's efforts to use it to advance his stewardship and rebuild an image earlier tarnished by bushfire, sports rorts and climate issue responses to name some.

Good recap of the pandemic in Australia

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This sounds like a three and a half hour commercial radio ad. Totally unlistenable. Disappointing, as I wanted to hear the essay.

Wrong narrator

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Excellent coverage, presentation and contents. Really enjoyed overall narration, well researched contents on Scott Morrison and his team.

Excellent coverage, presentation and contents.

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This essay tell you a lot about Morrison behavior, as well as a incite to Katharine.

INSITE.

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While the essay was mostly interesting (especially with the benefit of hindsight 18 months later) the narrator was terrible! I started listening - stopped after less than 10 minutes as it was so bad - then went back to it and gritted my teeth through the rest. A pity as Katharine Murphy’s essay deserves better.

Monotone narrator

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Intriguing account of Morrison's first year of the pandemic.As much as I find it difficult to believe anything that comes out of Morrison's mouth this is a good account by Katherine Murphy.

Morrison. Behind the Smirk.

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Some interesting elements about the behind the scenes Technocratic actors directing policy that i hadn’t heard before - this was good stuff but insufficiently explored. However my critique should be tempered with the fact that it was written back in time AND i’ve had the benefits of hindsight.

I felt the reader was too bright better suited to a marketing/technical text and maybe the material called for a more sombre reader.
I also feel the author may have been too close to her subject matter and has been a bit too won over. Scott Morrison got off too lightly and wasn’t explored as searchingly as needed to reach a balanced insightful conclusion - not so much a work in progress proto but a hard set teflon conman who markets any face that’s acceptable.

Always good to get more insights

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