Melbourne’s lockdown labelled the worst ever breach of freedom

A group of researchers is campaigning to end Melbourne’s draconian lockdown because it is pushing up to 400,000 people out of work and taking away the basic right to liberty of millions of Australians.   

Free market think-tank The Institute of Public Affairs has called the city’s stage-four restrictions, which include an unprecedented 8.00 pm curfew, ‘the greatest incursion into our basic liberties ever on Australian soil’.   

Victoria’s State of Disaster, in place from 2 August, gives the police extraordinary powers including the ability to seize private property, enter people’s homes and stop them in the street. The federal treasury estimates that up to 400,000 Victorians will be put out of work due to the draconian rules amid fears that soaring unemployment will lead to increases in suicide, poverty and substance abuse.   

Federal housing minister Michael Sukkar last week warned the state is facing ‘permanent damage’ as some businesses will close for good.   

Under stage-four restrictions, non-essential businesses have been forced to close and essential businesses such as meat packing have been ordered to reduce the number of staff working at one time.   

Victoria on Monday suffered its deadliest day in the coronavirus pandemic with 19 deaths and 322 new infections including 105 ‘mystery’ cases with no known source.   
Australia, (Daily Mail), 
10 August 2020