"If we face a new pandemic will our government protect us?"

No, they're already hanging the people out to dry.
They gave their medical stockpile of masks up for the bushfires;
Now they're telling people NOT to get facemasks because medical professions might go without.
They're actually willfully putting you at risk for their incompetence.
And they're so petrified of the economy tanking that they won't stop trade or foreigners coming here, which might've prevented infections.

This is the price of not keeping some money in the bank for emergencies
This is the price of governments living week to week and not saving for a rainy day.
This is the price of globalism and becoming too interconnected.
This is the price of government and citizen complacency.

Did the government protect the people from the bushfires?
No. The government was so hamstrung by political bs it created the bushfires though it's own incompetence and complacency.
- Likewise it has allowed this contagion onto our shores from the very same incompetence and complacency.

The answer is no.
People are going to have to protect themselves.

Let those who travel excessively & unnecessarily fork out extra. That'd slow down the spread !