Overwork comes at a cost – in particular in a pandemic | Ahona Guha

In early 2020, we snapped into crisis mode to respond to emerging disaster. Now, 18 months on, some are reaching their limit

Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein has just reduced his work commitments to focus on his health and has handed over several portfolios to colleagues. Basically, after working 46 days straight, which culminated in the finalisation and delivery of the budget, it's as simple as this - my body's not a machine. I hit the wall and I was quite unwell," he said.

Last year, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews fronted the media for conferences for 120 days straight. He paused briefly once Victoria entered a swing of doughnut days, and in a more protracted and catastrophic manner after breaking ribs and fracturing vertebrae in a fall.