Cairns freedom rally: Protests a sign of rising tension over Covid restrictions

A leading political science lecturer says normal Far Northerners are being pushed to the brink by the perceived “authoritarian” governments of Australia.

A LEADING political science professor says normal Australians are being pushed to the brink by the perceived “authoritarian” governments of each state and ballooning protest numbers across the country are the result.

It comes as up to 700 demonstrators marched along the Cairns foreshore on the weekend protesting against vaccines, lockdowns, Covid passports, the media and even freemasonry.

James Cook University political science lecturer Maxine Newlands said there had been a “tipping point” for many residents fed up with having their lives turned upside down by restrictive measures designed to stop the spread of the virus.

“Politically, it is interesting; once you start seeing 3 per cent of the population protesting, that is when it becomes a real problem for governments,” Dr Newlands said.

A Freedom Rally was held in Cairns on Saturday where around 700 supporters marched down the Esplanade and past the children's playground, down to the lagoon and back. We Stand For Freedom committee member Paul Christie rallied the supporters at the lagoon. Picture: Brendan Radke

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“Anything over that starts to reach a tipping point.

“People are feeling very restrained and contained, and you only have to look at social media to see terms like ‘authoritarian government’ being used more widely.”

Dr Newlands said, while most people write to local councillors, politicians and journalists in an attempt to have their voices heard, many felt they had no choice but to march.

“People protest when the system isn’t fair to them and isn’t listening to them,” she said.

“They are feeling a sense of loss and this is a way to gain some control back.

Hundreds of Far North Queensland residents attended the Freedom Rally held noth of Muddy’s Playground, before marching down the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

“People are fed up, they are over it and they are confused. So protesting can give them a sense of ownership and control over things.”

Cairns father Luke Cannon said although he didn’t attend the protest rally on the weekend, he understood why “normal people” were starting to be pushed to their limit.

“I’m not an anti-vaxxer and I’m not a nut job, but I have great friends in Melbourne who are at their wits’ end with what their government is doing,” he said.

“People can only take so much and they are feeling powerless.

Janelle Raumati of Smithfield carries a message at the march. Picture: Brendan Radke

“They are also looking at other countries and thinking ‘what are we doing here?’ I can understand it.”

Dr Newlands said mixed messaging across different states was adding to a sense of confusion.

QR CODE CHECK IN JUST THE START

With all taxi and rideshare passengers soon to be required to check in via a QR code, an industry leader believes the measure could be just the beginning.

Cairns Taxis director Layne Gardiner said the next step could be offering fully vaccinated drivers.

“The system has the capabilities to recognise different services and we could add a section to request vaccinated drivers,” he said.

“It gives another layer of protection to the public and if the public want that we have to give them that.”

Taxis line up for passengers at Cairns Domestic Airport . Picture: Brian Cassey

QR codes will be available inside the vehicles on all windows of Cairns Taxis from Monday, August 30.

Mr Gardiner said the QR codes would be clearly displayed.

“The QR code will be facing outwards and inside so if you miss it entering you can do it once you’re in.

“For wheelchair passengers there will be one at the back,” he said.

The Taxi Council of Queensland had been advocating to have the codes on all vehicles for over six weeks before the most recent Covid outbreak, Mr Gardiner said.

This was just one step the taxi industry was taking to keep the public safe, he said.

Originally published as Cairns freedom rally: Protests a sign of rising tension over Covid restrictions