Abbot’s ideas should be the subject of rigorous debate, and there is nothing to be gained from trying to shut debate down.

Scrutiny is critical to ensure our nation responds appropriately on all issues, especially COVID-19. For example, last week there was significant debate over a Burnet Institute study the Victorian government used to justify its mandatory mask policy.

While studies around the world have since reached similar conclusions on the efficacy of masks, some academics argue the methodology used to compile this particular report was flawed.

Almost two years into the pandemic, honest and open debate has at times given way to a sort of narrow-minded COVID tribalism that does little to progress our understanding of the issues involved.

These tribes can be partisan, loudly supporting or condemning actions taken by one political party but staying silent when another party does the same thing. It’s notable that NSW and Victoria, though run by different parties, have now reached more or less the same position on how to manage this stage of the pandemic.

There is great danger when people stop listening to each other or when science, which is meant to be independent, becomes politicised. As John Stuart Mill wrote in 1859 advocating against censorship, there is a “peculiar evil” in silencing an opinion, because the opinion is valuable even if it is wrong.

It is critical scientists remain true to the fundamental academic principle of open inquiry: that they express their opinions and listen and learn from each other. And it is critical all Australians keep asking questions of both their leaders and the experts who inform them.

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