Australia seems to have replaced representative democracy with government by computer modelling.

When the Wuhan virus struck, the nation’s political leaders had three clear tasks.

First, stop the virus coming in while imposing a strict quarantine.

Second, stop it spreading.

Third, look after the sick and vulnerable.

As usual, computer modelling dominated decision-making.

Unlike the only show in town, Donald Trump’s daily White House briefing, Australian modelling was during key decisions a closely-guarded state secret, tolerated by a media too easily dazzled by the exercise of raw power

Based on the principle, purgamentum init exit purgamentum — garbage in garbage out — experts agree, modelling is invariably...