Australians are at risk as too many of our leaders abdicate responsibility for Covid to pander to their political base | Malcolm Farr

The epidemic of indecision and timidity pouring out of the offices of premiers and the prime minister has turned Christmas into a game of chance for thousands of Australian families.

The loss of seasonal certainty is deeply felt in most communities.

But an even broader concern is the absence of firm management of this health crisis by some governments at the state and federal levels.

The expanding notion that no government is good government is a debate topic, not a response to a crisis. And it is easily converted into camouflage for incompetence.

Government leaders in various jurisdictions are offering what they see as gallant resistance to unpopular measures to contain viral spread. Their gallantry has bred chaos as Omicron sweeps through communities.

The examples of government defying global precedent on fighting Covid are stark.

It was also a sign the premier appeared to be ignoring reality.