Category: Sydney Lockdowns

Closed Borders Are Paralysing the Country

Commentary There are signs in public attitudes and statements by at least some of Australia’s political and business leaders that the national mood is becoming less accepting of restrictions to eliminate or contain COVID-19—and increasingly aware of the costs of trying to do so. This shift is undoubtedly being helped along by a vaccination roll-out…


Sydney Law Firm Files Lawsuit to Overturn Australian State’s Public Health Orders

A Sydney law firm has filed an action against the New South Wales (NSW) health minister, chief medical officer, and the state and federal governments, calling for public health orders to be declared unconstitutional and illegal. Ashley, Francina, Leonard and Associates (AFL) argue that the health orders require vaccinations to be mandated across a broad…


Why Australians Have Been so Compliant With COVID-19 Restrictions

Commentary As Australia’s death toll from COVID-19 passes 1,000, opinions about the efficacy of draconian lockdowns are beginning to diverge across the country. “This is not a sustainable way to live,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared recently. An increasing number of Australians, who have endured the pain of the world’s longest lockdowns, are inclined to…


Silent Protests Across Australia Against COVID-19 Lockdowns, Several Arrested

Thousands of Australians frustrated with COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates mobilised across the country on Tuesday for planned mostly peaceful and silent protests in front of government buildings. A flyer circulating on Telegram stated, “Enough is enough,” and called for silent protests in multiple Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions to begin at 9 a.m.: “No…


Australia a Nation of ‘Tut-Tutting Karens’ on COVID Restrictions: Think Tank Survey

A survey has revealed that despite declining support for lockdowns and restrictions, Australians still favour tougher enforcement of public health orders and higher fines. A poll commissioned by the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) found that 39 percent of Australians believed penalties for breaching public health orders was too low. Another 47 percent thought…


Australian Truckers Protest Mandatory Vaccines and Lockdowns, Block Major Highway

Australian truck drivers have blocked a major highway in the north-eastern state of Queensland in a protest against vaccine mandates and tough border restrictions, causing traffic to back up for several kilometres. The action marks a series of ongoing protests from Australians frustrated with state government COVID-19 lockdowns and mandated restrictions based on emergency public…


Dogs Euthanised by Australian Council After Rescuers Barred by COVID Restrictions

Several dogs rescued by a pound in New South Wales (NSW) were reportedly shot dead after the Bourke council decided volunteers from an animal shelter could not enter the town due to COVID restrictions. Since early August, the five dogs had been housed at a Bourke Shire Council pound—750km (466 miles) northwest of Sydney—with one…


State Leader ‘Disgusted’ by Anti-Lockdown Protests on Queensland Border

Queensland state deputy leader Steven Miles has labelled protests against COVID restrictions on the state border as “shameful and reckless,” after over 1,000 residents from Coolangatta and Tweed—which saddles the state border—gathered to protest against tighter border restrictions. Deputy Premier Miles said the protests were very “un-Queensland like.” “We have gotten through this because Queenslanders…


Lockdown Extended, Curfews Imposed on Greater Sydney

In a bid to control the ongoing outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19, authorities have extended the Greater Sydney lockdown until the end of September and implemented tighter restrictions on local government areas (LGA) of concern. New South Wales (NSW)—Australia’s most populous state—recorded 642 new infections and four deaths on Thursday. Greater Sydney was…


Australian Mental Health Hotline ‘Smashes’ Previous Record As COVID-19 Lockdowns Take a Toll

Mental health and suicide prevention hotline Lifeline Australia has “smashed” its previous record for the highest volume of calls ever on Aug. 20. The data comes as mental health concerns continue to emerge as Australians react to prolonged lockdowns. Lifeline Australia revealed that it received 3,505 calls in a 24-hour period, surpassing the previous record…