Fortress Australia: how the pandemic strategy has divided us

The question of reopening international borders, or even returning more stranded Australians, divides people into two clear camps.

The question of reopening international borders, or even returning more stranded Australians, seems to divide people into two clear camps. If you have loved ones overseas who can’t get home, or you want to leave Australia to visit family, or you have business interests that rely on international connections, you want restrictions relaxed. If your interests and your family are here, you don’t want to risk it.

“We are obsessed with anything that protects our lifestyle and we are prepared to trade our freedoms in order to protect that way of life,’’ demographer (and columnist for this magazine) Bernard Salt told journalist Cameron Stewart. The upshot, though, is that some have detected a darkening mood that pits Australian against Australian, leaving those on the outside questioning the value of their passport and the very nature of their citizenship.