In a significant court case challenging the Covid lockdown regulations, a ‘ridiculous’ double standard in which Australians were permitted to watch football but prohibited from demonstrating is criticized.
The double standard of Covid lockdown guidelines is criticized as two Australians appear in court.
Chad Stratton was fined on July 28, 2020, during a Black Lives Matter demonstration.
Ruby Pandolfi was detained during a rally against Mark Latham on October 10.
The court was shown images of athletic events when they were fined.
While tens of thousands congregated at football games and horse races in New South Wales, a group of 30 people protesting outside were fined and threatened with jail time under public health orders.
Two of the roughly 40 people who were fined for violating these specific public health orders prohibiting public meetings of more than 20 people, with a few exceptions, have been included in a test case before the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Chad Stratton was fined in Sydney’s Domain on July 28, 2020, during a Black Lives Matter demonstration.
The court was informed on Thursday that Ruby Pandolfi was detained on October 10, 2020 during a protest against One Nation MP Mark Latham’s proposal, “widely known as the Trans Erasure Bill.”
The public health orders were changed in December to permit up to 500 persons to participate in peaceful, socially separated demonstrations.
A test case before the Supreme Court of New South Wales challenges the Covid-19 fines issued to political protestors.
While thousands gathered at NSW football matches and horse racing events, a group of 30 individuals were fined and threatened with jail time for engaging in political protest.
Unfortunately, it is too late for my customers, stated Shane Prince SC in his introduction.
The list of exclusions in these particular health orders, according to Mr. Prince, “tells you a great deal about the government’s goals in utilizing these authorities.”
Just days after the protesters were fined, video footage of ecstatic fans at a Rabbitohs NRL game was shown in court, followed by photographs of racing bettors embracing at The Everest.
Mr. Prince stated, “Nobody loves to be criticized, especially government and executives…that is why the constitutional guarantee (of political speech) is so vital.”
Political speech, protest, and dissent are virtually generally addressed at the executive branch, which is in a position to implement and enforce these laws.
Just days after the protesters were fined, video footage of ecstatic fans at a Rabbitohs NRL game was shown in court, followed by photographs of racing bettors embracing at The Everest.
Professor Catherine Bennett, chair of epidemiology at Deakin University in Victoria, admitted under cross-examination by Michael Sexton SC that registration for contact-tracing purposes and seating plans were incorporated in the organization of events.
Prof. Bennett stated that an outdoor transmission had not been documented prior to 2021, and the fact that individuals were sitting for extended amounts of time in a single location increased the likelihood of infection.
During the time, Dr. Jeremy McAnulty of the NSW Ministry of Health stated that the danger of transmission at unstructured activities was alarming.
He stated, “All it takes is for one individual with COVID-19 to cough in your face.”
It was feared that authorities would not be able to identify everyone at such an event or conduct a trace if this were to occur.
People were not forced to purchase tickets to enter supermarkets or attend local sporting events at the time.
Prof. Bennett stated that the most difficult aspect of large meetings was the contact before and after the event, such as the tunnels that lead to a stadium.
Outside of court, protest organizer Paddy Gibson, who was also fined during the Black Lives Matter march, stated that the rules were punitive and aimed at protesters who raised crucial problems, such as the murders of First Nations peoples in detention.
Greens MP Abigail Boyd (pictured) also supported the bill, stating that the NSW Labor Party was in ‘lockstep’ with the state government and would welcome similar powers if elected.
Abigail Boyd, a Greens member of parliament, also voiced her support, stating that the NSW Labor Party was in “lockstep” with the state government and would welcome such powers if elected.
Joshua Lees, a resident of Newtown, stated that he attended a protest at Sydney University with approximately 30 other individuals, all of whom wore masks, until the police gave the order to disperse.
As we were leaving, the cops apprehended a few of us and fined us for the demonstration, he told the AAP.
This was unrelated to COVID. This is a justification to crack down, intimidate, and increase their own repressive capabilities against protestors.
Adam Adelpour was held overnight and threatened with six months in prison for participating in the same demonstration, despite the fact that he claims there were more people in a classroom at the time.
The absurdity and double standards are evident, he told AAP.
Dozens of others penalized at comparable gatherings have had their local court proceedings delayed pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge.