Caketinsfairies

Yuri Vasnetsov (1900-1973)

THIS is what Australia has become. They say they are protecting Australians, but at what cost? Is this a price you are willing to pay, Australia? Your humanity? Your morality?

James Turbitt, an Australian man living overseas, rushed back to Australia to be with his dying mother. He had to jump through all sorts of red tape and paperwork in order to get an exemption to see his mother, but it was too late. She died and he now spends two weeks in mandatory hotel quarantine alone in his grief. And has to spend $3000 for the privilege. He is now protesting against his abhorrent treatment from the government by going on a hunger strike.

I will not hold back - I am DISGUSTED and APPALLED by the Australian Government who enforces these policies, the media who feeds them, and the public who demands them. While the eligible population in Australia refuses vaccinations, the people stuck overseas or with connections and family overseas are paying the price. While onshore Australians lament about not being able to go on holiday, people are watching their families die over Zoom because of the draconian border policies in place. While the rest of the world opens up, onshore Australians are content in their xenophobic, racist, small-minded lives. They epitomize the saying: “if I’m okay, then it doesn’t matter if you’re not.”

For 15 months now, stranded Australians and separated families have lived in COVID-striken countries around the world (some have even died overseas). They have been vilified and denigrated by onshore Australians and media. They have lost all citizenship rights. They have seen their flights cancelled, or paid up to $100,000 just to get themselves and their family home again. They are locked in small hotel rooms for two weeks despite being vaccinated and testing negative - while community cases of COVID, and incoming politicians and celebrities are allowed to quarantine at home. And all this time they are told it’s for “the greater good”. While “the greater good” has been going about life as normal, attending football games, hosting world surfing competitions and the Australian Open. Tell me, why do people like James have to never see his mother again just so you can go to watch sport?

This comes mere days after the Australian Prime Minister travelled to the G7 summit, where he was only an observing member not a participant, and then travelled around on a pub crawl and researching his family history. He has since returned and been able to quarantine at home. All while preaching how dangerous the outside world is for Australians and how they should remain locked up until 2022.

Spring and Summer. Paintings by Charles Eamer Kempe (1837–1907).

National Trust.