Helicopters, fines in Australia's Easter travel crackdown against coronavirus

Authoritarian states everywhere.

Indeed the vast majority of people everywhere are following the orders of their governments, but despite this I get the feeling the governments always blame the citizens if the things are not going well and they continue to implement always new systems of surveillance, how if that's the only problem in this pandemic.

@Alex80

Every single Australian fully understands the rationale behind the extraordinary measures in place - namely, to prevent the spread of the virus, to keep people safe and to try to minimise the impact on the economy. The governments at both State and Federal levels are seeing a surge in popularity and support for that exact reason. They have been decisive, firm and fully committed and their success in flattening the curve has been impressive. The nation has rallied together in a way that has surprised me, and I am impressed. Communities and neighbourhoods are working together and supporting each other in a noticeably different way - there is a great deal of cohesion.

@Tamarama: I wish Australia all the best. I didn't say it's wrong to limit people movements, but I fear how the world will look after this emergency for many reasons. I am not able to grasp the full picture yet. We'll see.

"Today the gloves come off," Gutwein added. "We are going to police this. The period of education is over."

If the plebs don't understand this perfectly clear message, they should be fined for being so ignorant.

gary

Plus, you can't deny this is like an authoritarian State works. Is for public safety? Sure. This doesn't change these are authoritarian systems, if you like or not this word.

...good luck everyone.

BigYen:

US is (barely) a democracy too. A candidate dropped out as he couldn't campaign, people arent voting in states that didnt call them off (affecting representation), and other states held off elections altogether for a later date (unannounced). Wait until the govt or the parties call off elections or severely undermine them. Cant direct policy and be represented if elections arent held every so often.

While these measures do save lives, what other commentators have stated, though unpopular, could come to fruition. Stay vigilant. The road to h-ll is paved with good intentions.

US is (barely) a democracy too. 

You may want to look up the definition of democracy.

That's why I said barely. I do hope you're not one of the ones who says "America is a republic and not a democracy." If so, this is for you:

A republic is a democracy with an elected or legislatively-appointed head of state. A monarchy can be a democracy with a hereditary head of state. There are several subcategories: parliamentary (head of state is separate from head of govt and chosen from parliament) [Sweden], executive (head of state and head of govt are combined in one person; also known as presidential) [US], collegial (head of state and head of govt are combined in a coequal collegial council that cannot dismiss each other) [Switzerland].

That's why I said barely. I do hope you're not one of the ones who says "America is a republic and not a democracy." If so, this is for you:

I’m not because I’m not ignorant.

democracy

/dɪˈmɒkrəsi/

noun

a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

America isn’t “barely” a democracy because people have the choice to vote and those votes count. It is by no means a perfect country, but it is fully a democracy.

BigYen: Make no mistake thst there are Americans who would prefer to use their firearms instead of engaging in critical discourse. As you have read, I’m sure, there are also Americans who would rather push blatant falsehoods and eschew logic in an attempt win “points” for their “team.”

Concerns that somehow 'The State' will not rescind the measures implemented during a level 4 National emergency simply don't exist in Australia. At all. There is no fear of it whatsoever. That kind of paranoia and distrust of The State seems to be a deeply American condition that will be fully tested as this virus rips holes in the fault lines and weaknesses of the US System. Poor medical health care, massive inequality, political and social elites running the country and point scoring in the midst of crisis, unfathomable ignorance on key issues etc etc. The US is faring horribly right now, and it's shocking to watch. It's very sad, and very telling.

Every single Australian fully understands the rationale behind the extraordinary measures in place - namely, to prevent the spread of the virus, to keep people safe and to try to minimise the impact on the economy. The governments at both State and Federal levels are seeing a surge in popularity and support for that exact reason. They have been decisive, firm and fully committed and their success in flattening the curve has been impressive. The nation has rallied together in a way that has surprised me, and I am impressed. Communities and neighbourhoods are working together and supporting each other in a noticeably different way - there is a great deal of cohesion.

When words like "every single Australian" and the like are used, you know the truth is being stretched.

Australians ignore social distancing for Saturday Farmers Markets

https://flipboard.com/article/australians-ignore-social-distancing-for-saturday-farmers-markets/a-qqob2XMOQcOy-BhEtC4q8A%3Aa%3A2679765603-29f3a033a5%2Fco.uk

Beachgoers in Sydney's northern beaches ignore social distancing

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8182669/Beachgoers-Sydneys-northern-beaches-ignore-social-distancing-rules-surf-exercise.html

Cops issue almost $50,000 worth of coronavirus fines in just one day

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8207459/Cops-issue-50-000-worth-coronavirus-fines-just-ONE-DAY.html

Those who are loudest to accuse others of whitewashing history....

The "barely" is for many things, including representatives choosing voters (who redraw districts in the US?), executive war without congress (war powers act only takes effect after the troops are already there so withholding funds hurt the troops, not the president), and of course the fact that the us is the only country using the presidential (executive) system that has not yet devolved into dictatorship at some point in its history. Still surprised that gun stores are labelled essential during the crisis, but churches are not. Americans focus so much on the second amendment, they forget the first.

The "barely" is for many things, including representatives choosing voters (who redraw districts in the US?), executive war without congress (war powers act only takes effect after the troops are already there so withholding funds hurt the troops, not the president), and of course the fact that the us is the only country using the presidential (executive) system that has not yet devolved into dictatorship at some point in its history. 

You don’t seem to understand the meaning of democracy.

@alex80, if you think your in a police type state, go and live in Russia for a month, when you come home you realise that life is not that bad after all.

When words like "every single Australian" and the like are used, you know the truth is being stretched.

Of course it is, it's hyperbole. But you appear to have missed the general gist of the post in the search for a coal to set alight.

You've done some earnest news research there too - well done. Of course, exceptions are what journalists love right? So, whilst the journalists could have written an article saying; '24,430,000 Australians have observed and adhered to the restrictions in place by the Government today', I guess they chose to focus on the alternative.

Lucky for you.