You're the Voice, recorded by Aussie legend John Farnham in 1986, has become an anthem for people who want to make themselves heard. The song encapsulates what it means to be Australian for many of us. Its sentiments were never more appropriate than in this moment in time. This year, 2020 the global pandemic seems to have somewhat eroded the Australian spirit that Farnham's classic encapsulates. The severe restrictions on the very freedoms our forefathers fought for, and the
This year has been a year of great transformation. And often transformation can bring about a degree of discomfort; I don't know anybody who can say they have been immune to that this year. But like inconvenient roadworks, when the end is accomplished the disarray is transformed, leaving us enriched, with a smoother road ahead. This is the definition of evolution and perhaps this is the affliction of humankind; to evolve. One transformation we have been witness to is an awake
As we watch on with fear as Europe's flu season begins, covid-19 cases spike and governments start implementing even more harsh lockdowns. It's difficult to feel positive as we bear witness to what appears to be a cycle we are likely to encounter again. The questionable tactics employed in the name of public health interests, must be reviewed thoroughly to ensure proper process is adhered to preserve our health, while also upholding our sovereignty and basic human rights. It
There is one thing that everyone has got in 2020 and it is not covid-19, it is an opinion. Everyone has one about this pandemic and how it has been handled. To say nobody is immune to COVID-19 is probably the understatement of the century. What is clear is that most people’s opinions tend to fall into two groups, those who concur and those who do not. Yet while we might fall into collective groups, how we each arrive there is individualistic, but we are all where we are becau
With the response to the pandemic seeming more like a game of thugs, gangsters and debt collectors, it’s not surprising to see more people joining the class action or creating their own legal challenges. And with many other legal challenges arising, especially in Victoria, some of you are wondering why these are finding themselves in the Court before ours. Many of these other actions are challenging restriction of movement and the effects on business and using the Victorian h
In January we heard news of a new 'novel' virus coming out of China that was sweeping through the population of Wuhan. When the Attorney General Declared a State of Emergency, we knew it was serious. The Biosecurity Act was implemented, giving the government certain powers to impose restrictions on us and the country held its breath as reports of significant numbers of infections and deaths came in. Fear took hold and the World Health Organisation took the reins and dictated
Many of you have expressed your concern with the Victorian Governments Omnibus Bill and its looming expansion and extension. You have every right to be concerned because in essence, these changes elevate regulations above Acts, or in other words un-elected regulations become supreme. It alters who can exercise emergency powers as well as adds to them. DHHS can appoint “authorised officers” to enforce emergency powers to arrest a “high risk” person who they have “reasonable”