Some of Western Australia’s prominent business figures have ended their self-imposed exile caused by the state’s strict border policies, but despite their easing, the Australian Human Rights Commission says the continuing state of emergency impinges citizens’ rights.
Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay said she was concerned short-term measures were becoming everyday requirements.“While it may be that restrictions are justified, they don’t have the same scrutiny or accountability attached to them and when that goes on for a number of years, the state of emergency effectively becomes the normal state of affairs and that’s really concerning,” Ms Finlay said.
Those moving in and out of the state include Woodside and Qantas chairman Richard Goyder, who revealed heWesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott is back too, after leaving Perth in mid-February to meet key investors, his executive team and employees that he hadn’t seen face-to-face for two years., or until the rules changed. The hard border became a controlled border on March 3.
Many Western Australians are spending seven days in isolation after becoming a close contact even if they test negative to COVID-19, requiring them to remain home unless exempt to go to school or essential work.Ms Finlay said the government could still enforce restrictions but it should do so through normal parliamentary processes and oversight.
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GemmaTognini