David* and I meet outside Ringwood Library on the same day Scott Morrison begins selling the 2019 budget, the carefully curated slogan ‘a fair go for those who have a go’ ringing in my ears. It’s been four years since David worked in a factory in Melbourne’s outer east, but he is clutching oversized farewell cards from his old workmates. As his former caseworker, I once helped David move house – I know how few possessions he owns and that only the most important have survived. I read his treasured cards and understand how loved he was by his workmates, this man who had a go.

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