Why Dominic Perrottet’s freedom-centric roadmap may cost us
Despite his vehement opposition to marriage equality and abortion rights, NSW’s newly sworn in Premier Dominic Perrottet has long heralded himself as a fierce advocate for freedom. ‘If you stand for free speech, you are not a bigot,’ Perrottet once proclaimed, celebrating Trump’s 2016 election victory as a rejection of political correctness. Though, in qualifying that freedoms are subject to a balancing act, the Premier in 2019 preached, ‘As a Liberal I believe the right to freedom is fundamental - but our right to life is paramount, because it is the foundation on which our other rights rest.’
But with the lessons of Singapore and Israel, Perrottet’s decision to quickly ease restrictions under the NSW freedom roadmap is hardly reconcilable with his supposed moral code. Just on his second day in the top job, the Premier has announced a doubling of visitor-limits to homes, weddings and funerals, which he claims to be ‘sensible and measured.’ This comes as Singapore, a nation which hit its 80% double vaccination rate back in August, faces a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Australian professor, Dale Fisher, attributes the central cause of the spike to the nation’s reintroduced 5 person in-house dining allowance, warning Australia to study Singapore’s lessons. "[Singapore] went from under 100 cases a day to the last couple of days where we've had over 2000 cases a day," Fisher cautioned. The island-state has since re-introduced restrictions as it seeks to minimise the strain on its hospital system, highlighting the importance of a conservative approach in preserving the most ‘paramount’ right of them all - the right to life.
The changes to the NSW Roadmap under Dominic Perrottet
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Chant has refused to endorse the roadmap changes. Questioned on the issue, Chant merely described the changes as a political decision for the government, which she concedes, is tasked with considering both health and non-health advice in making decisions. Chant, however, has stated that the changes are relatively ‘low-risk’.
The move nevertheless has attracted stronger criticism from other leading health experts.
UNSW epidemiologist, Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, raises concerns of the lower vaccination rate among people under 40, the age group with the strongest transmission rate. “So, we really do need more of that equity of the 70 per cent across the young, the vulnerable, and regional areas,” she told the ABC, recommending that changes should be delayed until those under 40 reach at least 80 per cent double dose vaccinations.
Similarly, the Australian Medical Association in a statement expressed that it is ‘very concerned’ by the move, with the President claiming “The NSW Government’s Crisis Cabinet has morphed into an Economic Recovery Committee.”
“If the NSW COVID and Economic Recovery Committee moves to open the economy faster than is advised by health experts and the modelling, they will ultimately be held accountable for the impacts of those decisions, including potentially excess deaths, overwhelmed hospitals and the economic catastrophe that would accompany further lockdowns,” the AMA President said in a statement.
As the NSW economy quickly opens up, it remains unclear whether the right to life will be at the core of Perrottet’s freedom agenda, and whether a significant strain on the hospital system will inevitably force the economy to shut down once again. We will watch nervously, along with Gladys, as her successor’s controversial conceptions of freedom are put on trial.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the editor’s. They do not purport to reflect the views of the Sydney University Business Society.
Despite his vehement opposition to marriage equality and abortion rights, NSW’s newly sworn in Premier Dominic Perrottet has long heralded himself as a fierce advocate for freedom. ‘If you stand for free speech, you are not a bigot,’ Perrottet once proclaimed, celebrating Trump’s 2016 election victory as a rejection of political correctness. Though, in qualifying that freedoms are subject to a balancing act, the Premier in 2019 preached, ‘As a Liberal I believe the right to freedom is fundamental - but our right to life is paramount, because it is the foundation on which our other rights rest.’
But with the lessons of Singapore and Israel, Perrottet’s decision to quickly ease restrictions under the NSW freedom roadmap is hardly reconcilable with his supposed moral code. Just on his second day in the top job, the Premier has announced a doubling of visitor-limits to homes, weddings and funerals, which he claims to be ‘sensible and measured.’ This comes as Singapore, a nation which hit its 80% double vaccination rate back in August, faces a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Australian professor, Dale Fisher, attributes the central cause of the spike to the nation’s reintroduced 5 person in-house dining allowance, warning Australia to study Singapore’s lessons. "[Singapore] went from under 100 cases a day to the last couple of days where we've had over 2000 cases a day," Fisher cautioned. The island-state has since re-introduced restrictions as it seeks to minimise the strain on its hospital system, highlighting the importance of a conservative approach in preserving the most ‘paramount’ right of them all - the right to life.
The changes to the NSW Roadmap under Dominic Perrottet
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Chant has refused to endorse the roadmap changes. Questioned on the issue, Chant merely described the changes as a political decision for the government, which she concedes, is tasked with considering both health and non-health advice in making decisions. Chant, however, has stated that the changes are relatively ‘low-risk’.
The move nevertheless has attracted stronger criticism from other leading health experts.
UNSW epidemiologist, Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, raises concerns of the lower vaccination rate among people under 40, the age group with the strongest transmission rate. “So, we really do need more of that equity of the 70 per cent across the young, the vulnerable, and regional areas,” she told the ABC, recommending that changes should be delayed until those under 40 reach at least 80 per cent double dose vaccinations.
Similarly, the Australian Medical Association in a statement expressed that it is ‘very concerned’ by the move, with the President claiming “The NSW Government’s Crisis Cabinet has morphed into an Economic Recovery Committee.”
“If the NSW COVID and Economic Recovery Committee moves to open the economy faster than is advised by health experts and the modelling, they will ultimately be held accountable for the impacts of those decisions, including potentially excess deaths, overwhelmed hospitals and the economic catastrophe that would accompany further lockdowns,” the AMA President said in a statement.
As the NSW economy quickly opens up, it remains unclear whether the right to life will be at the core of Perrottet’s freedom agenda, and whether a significant strain on the hospital system will inevitably force the economy to shut down once again. We will watch nervously, along with Gladys, as her successor’s controversial conceptions of freedom are put on trial.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the editor’s. They do not purport to reflect the views of the Sydney University Business Society.
