Editorial: Fringe parties to benefit from draconian intrusions on our lives

Queenslanders believe the State Government did a good job in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the goodwill is wearing thin, writes the editor. VOTE IN OUR POLL

The primary reason we will see a lift in the vote of the fringe parties led by Pauline Hanson, Bob Katter and Clive Palmer at the next election is the perception that we are being over-governed and are craving – even demanding – more freedoms.

It’s no coincidence the United Australia Party’s slogans repeat the phrase “freedom, freedom, freedom’’ because vaccine mandates, lockdowns and border closures have interrupted so many lives over the past two years.

In fact, when the book is written on the Queensland Government’s Covid-19 response, its failure at times to provide empathy and understanding to so many people affected by being separated – plus the inconsistencies applied to exemptions – will be a dark stain.

This week, we had Queensland’s Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall blasting the State Government’s decision to extend the chief health officer’s Covid-19 powers, saying “such humans rights limitations’’ cannot continue unchecked.

He talked about how quarantine conditions, the mandating of vaccines and keeping people confined to their homes have impacted on people’s mental health.

Mr McDougall said his commission had been careful not to undermine public health measures and was generally supportive of the pandemic response. But enough is enough.

Annastacia Palaszczuk won the last election off the back of her Government’s ability to keep people safe at the height of the pandemic. Queenslanders firmly believe she did a good job.

But while we don’t have a crystal ball and can never predict the next variant or strain of the virus, the Government must do better at juggling the health realities with people’s ability to get on with their lives.

The Premier cannot rely on the pandemic forever as her one-trick electoral pony. Yes, she did a good job. Yes, she kept us mostly safe. But there’s a lot more to good governance, particularly as the case numbers and deaths subside.

Queensland is a pioneering state, made up of people who believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. They are naturally cynical of government overreach and do not take kindly to heavy-handed rules.

A few weeks ago, the Government made one of the most bizarre decisions in recent history, closing schools because of a possible forecast storm. Parents got sunburnt picking up their kids that afternoon, and had to apply the sunscreen the next day as we woke to the forecast partly cloudy skies. It was a terrible case of overreach.

We have supported strong governments which have worthy roles in containing threats such as Covid, as well as providing well resourced emergency services to assist us through natural disasters.

Yet Australians fundamentally believe in the freedom to carve out their own niche in society. There is little doubt that freedom has been eroded in recent years.

Mr McDougall also spoke about the transparency of information being disseminated – a weak spot for this Government. He said: “There must be sufficient transparency in decision-making, including the publication of accessible, timely, clear and comprehensive information about limitations on human rights in a manner the public can understand.’’

Without question, The Courier-Mail supports this stance. It is past time for government to start trusting Queenslanders again.

SOME JOY AMID THE GLOOM

After years of fire, flood, pandemic and war, it’s more important than ever to latch onto the morsels of joy that come your way.

Today, there’s two for proud Queenslanders to savour.

First, Brisbane’s Cameron Smith – probably the only golfer on the USPGA tour with a mullet – held his nerve yesterday to win The Players Championship in Florida.

Smith pocketed a cool $5 million for his trouble – the biggest winner’s cheque in golf history. And he did it all in front of the family he hadn’t seen for two years because of closed international borders.

Also yesterday, the NSW Government announced a stand at the new Sydney Football Stadium will be named in honour of the late Arthur Beetson.

Beetson, of course, was a legend for Eastern Suburbs, who played at the nearby SCG. But Queenslanders will have a chuckle that our first Origin skipper has a permanent place at Blues’ headquarters.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available here