Tag: Australia COVID-19

Sydney Restaurant Owner to Forfeit $10 Million Protecting Staff From Vaccine Policing

A prominent restaurant owner will forfeit around $10 million, keeping his 27 stores closed until all restrictions are lifted in Australia’s most populous state New South Wales (NSW). Rami Ykmour, co-founder of the Rashays restaurant chain in Sydney, announced on Sept. 27 that the business would remain closed until Dec. 1, despite being allowed by…


Celebrities, Athletes Gagged on Criticising Lockdowns, Restrictions: Former NBA Star

Australian basketball legend and former NBA player Andrew Bogut says athletes and celebrities have told him secretly that while they disagree with government-mandated health restrictions, they are essentially muzzled from speaking out. In an interview with The Epoch Times on Oct. 5, Bogut said after he publicly spoke out against lockdowns and called on influential…


More Australians Valuing Freedom Over the Law: Survey

According to a comprehensive survey of Australian attitudes, ongoing government-mandated lockdowns are pushing more Australians to value freedom over the law. At the end of the June quarter of 2021, 29.3 percent of Australians agreed with the statement that “Freedom is more important than the law.” This was a significant shift compared to the 21.6…


Australian Police Break Up Trucker Protest Against Mandatory Vaccination, Lockdowns

Melbourne police have curtailed another protest against lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations after pulling over and fining a group of Australian truck drivers. On the morning of Sept. 28, a convoy of eight trucks were moving slowly at 20 km/h (12.4 m/h) on the Tullamarine Freeway taking up one lane. Several trucks were seen with banners…


Queensland Extends Restrictions to Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast After 4 New COVID-19 Cases

The Queensland state government has announced a mask wearing mandate implemented in Brisbane and Moreton Bay yesterday be extended to include the Gold Coast in the state’s southeast on Wednesday. This comes as officials announced one new locally-acquired case on Wednesday morning after announcing four new mystery cases the day before. Despite no new hospitalisations…


Australian Treasurer to End Support Payments, Puts Pressure on States to Open Up

The Australian federal government will pull back business and individual support payments once key vaccination milestones are reached, a move that could compel state and territory leaders to move away from readily locking down their jurisdictions each time COVID-19 cases emerge. On Sept. 29, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg outlined a plan that would see billions in…


Australian Treasurer to End COVID-19 Payments, Puts Pressure on States to Open Up

The Australian federal government will pull back business and individual support payments once key vaccination milestones are reached, a move that could compel state and territory leaders to move away from readily locking down their jurisdictions each time COVID-19 cases emerge. On Sept. 29, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg outlined a plan that would see billions in…


‘Safetyism’ Driving Australia’s COVID-19 Response: Psychiatrist

An obsession with “safetyism” has underpinned Australia’s response to COVID-19, which has seen state governments readily deploy public health restrictions to contain the virus at the expense of all else—a move that has garnered increasing global attention, according to a psychiatrist. Tanveer Ahmed, an author and clinical psychiatrist, says Australia’s low COVID-19 infection and death…


Sydney Restaurateur to Keep Dining Empire Closed Until All Restrictions on Unvaccinated Lifted

A prominent Sydney restaurant owner has vowed to keep his restaurant closed until all restrictions on unvaccinated residents are lifted. Rami Ykmour, the co-founder of the Rashays restaurant chain with 27 stores, made the announcement on social media after the New South Wales (NSW) state government revealed its complete roadmap to freedom on Sept. 28,…


‘Authoritarian’ Restrictions Forcing Australians Into Conflict With Police: State MP

Alleged images and video of police aggressively subduing Australians in Melbourne to quell civil unrest in the southern state has raised concerns over the use of force by law enforcement against alleged breaches of public health orders. David Limbrick, an upper house member of Victoria’s state parliament, says police have been given the “very difficult”…