Scott Morrison says the Government’s modelling will be released soon. Here’s why that’s important

Updated

April 04, 2020 15: 53: 29

It is the maths of life and death and the basis for public policy decisions.

Modelling has been behind the Government’s response to this deadly coronavirus pandemic, with its team of epidemiologists creating models of the population to try to work out what will happen tomorrow, next month and next year.

So why haven’t we seen their work?

The issue has been a contentious one as scientists, mathematicians, doctors, federal Labor and crossbench politicians continue to pile pressure on the Government to publish its data — in the same way other countries such as the UK and New Zealand have.

On Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison appeared to bow to that pressure, announcing the Government would release updated modelling next week.

But what exactly will this data show? Why has the Government been reluctant to release it? And why do others want it in the public domain?

What is modelling and what’s the point of it?

In the context of an epidemic or pandemic like coronavirus, modelling