But when a crisis hits, like a bushfire, a death in the family or mass shooting, we wake up to a fundamental truth.

We need each other the most.

Over the ditch, the New Zealand Prime Minister demonstrated how to rally a country facing racial hatred and unspeakable grief.

Jacinda Ardern became the still centre amidst the chaos, small in stature but strong enough to hold the entire nation.

Government agencies and community were at their best in response to her calls for connection: "we are better than this"; "we will act on gun reform"; "we will get through this together."

Australia needs this kind of political leadership from all sides if we are to deal with the challenges of the modern world.

Like most advanced economies, the cost of our resource and consumption fetish is biting hard: unpredictable climate disruption, polluted waterways, ecosystem stress, job insecurity and communities needing help.

Shifting towards a cleaner world does not have to be grim but it is urgent.

Infrastructure spending on rail networks, renewable energy, battery storage and support for regenerative agriculture offer real benefits to regional areas.

Creating a circular economy that eliminates waste opens up new jobs and education pathways.

This is just the start.

But we need good leadership to get there.

No more spin, spite and division. Government and Opposition working together on a clear trajectory with our support.

If we get this, our kids have the best shot at a future worth living.