Kind of you to say, good sir. If you know anyone in particular who you think should read it, Aussies at home or abroad, please feel free to share it (forwarding, social media, etc.). The more people who understand what's going on, the better hope we have of getting some adults to the table and coming to some sensible solutions. Cheers!
Thank you Joel Bowman for your very well written and insightful post. I am an Aussie living in Australia and I feel trapped and I know so many others do as we cannot get out. I don't know how much longer I will be able to bear this feeling of being trapped. BUT then if I decide I have had enough and need to leave - I cannot leave without some God in the Border Force making some random decision if I can leave. I know so many cases of people having sold their house, their business - basically giving up their life here and some wee Public Servant God has said No!! How ridiculous and how heartbreaking - these people who have sold everything are now relying on family and friends to support them as they have nowhere to live and no income - Shame on you Australian Government!!!
Hi Joel, fantastic article. I’d like to connect with you when time permits in regards to the possibility of further discussions as to the above. My best contact is jordan@strandedaussies.org
My wife passed me this article and never has a truer word been written, bravo! I enjoyed it so much I decided to re-read it again. In fact I may well get it framed and hang it in the bathroom while I am sitting on the thunderbox thinking about why Australia is going down the shitter.
My wife and I have travelled to around the same amount of countries as you, over 2 and a bit decades as we have a deep fascination with what we didn't know so we could learn other perspectives. Currently we are on an island in Thailand so life is ok but I feel a deep sadness for the Thais (and all similarly placed countries....long list) as they are quite literally watching opportunity evaporate around them from COVID and all the ensuing madness.
Your article articulates how we should assess the situation (and what my wife and I convey in conversations to people we meet) and that is from a perspective without the hype glasses on. It is easy to do simple calculations of various contries populations and work out % of COVID deaths, check it against other diseases. Heart disease still the #1 global killer and rising at a rapid rate? How many signs have you seen in your travels alerting you to it or what you should do to combat it? Ever seen a country be shut down for too many heart disease deaths ? Many world media outlets hyped this COVID situation and governments have bought in and created further power plays to subdue their citizens with fear. What stagers me is how easily so many bought into the idea. 1 Australian COVID case = state lockdown = happy safe people ?? You would have thought Ebola was running rampant around the world with the reactions.
I too wonder what will become of our great southern land we called home. Will the walls of paranoia continue to grow or will Australians finally have had enough and stand up against the hypocracy? Time will tell.
Excellent points, Astray. And well articulated. The grand irony here is that it may well be Aussies abroad, like your good self, who end up saving those back home from life in the paranoia panopticon. Best to you and your wife!
What about breaching human rights of those Australians trying to leave Australia who are being precluded from doing so without obtaining a special permit from the government? Shall they need a separate ruling as to breach of their human rights from the UNHCR in Geneva?
Great article, Joel. I am one of the many, many Australians with partners overseas who are desperate to be together again. Your article is being shared far and wide😊
Hi Joel . I absolutely loved this . I am in Australia separated from my partner who is overseas .
I shared this post on my Facebook & received very negative feedback from friends & family . They think I am too focused on this point of view & it comes across as un Australian . Iv lost friends over my view on how Australia has handled this & feel very disappointed in my countrymen. I received a phone call from a close friend telling me that this point of view will get me nowhere & only alienate me from more people . I feel if I keep quiet about us being locked up & freedoms taken away that I am participating in doing nothing & agreeing with the masses that have become obedient , complying members of a very insular Australia . Any thoughts or advice on dealing with these people ?
Hey Luke, thanks so much for the feedback. I hear your words and empathize with your situation. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you’ve said here. Sadly, it’s not uncommon. Anyway, I’m going to write a longer, more thorough piece later this week on just these issues. Short answer: I think there is cause for tempered optimism. The responses to this article that I’ve received here and elsewhere have been really inspirational. Anyway, watch this space for more and, in the meantime keep your head up. You’re amongst good people who want the right thing. Cheers!
the weirdest, most frustrating aspect of it is smth you called 'Stockholm Syndrome'. Everyone in Australia supports these policies, Ive had major fallouts with my family about it. Its like they're blind
I’m sorry to hear about the familial rifts, Ben. But I’m cautiously optimistic regarding the future. I’ve received a ton of encouraging feedback since posting this a week or so ago. I’ll share some of those messages, along with some more commentary, later this week. Hang in there!
I too am hugely disappointed by the response to the pandemic back home. So much so that I petitioned the UNHCR to consider whether Australia is derogating it’s responsibilities under clause 12.4 of the ICCPR. The case is being represented by Geoffrey Robertson QC, and despite the committee immediately issuing an order for interim measures to ‘facilitate and ensure’ my prompt return whilst the case is being heard, my phone still hasn’t rung & I’m still stranded abroad.
We have organised ourselves into quite a community now, collecting together tens of thousands of Australian citizens, PR holders & other visa subclass holders who have the perfect legal right to come & go as they please (whilst obviously respecting public health), and together we are driving a lot of media, strategic litigation & political lobbying.
We could use a man with your communication skills ;) Join us!
Brilliant piece. Thanks Joel. As an Aussie expat (16 years to date) currently based in Tokyo, Japan, I have never been so disappointed by my country. As you say I hope Australia wakes-up and starts to have an outward perspective... and just a little bit of empathy. The initial response was perhaps the correct thing to do; it did keep numbers down when a lot of other countries were rapidly spiking, but the government now needs to iterate and quickly. They need to be adaptable (as good leaders are) and change their policy on Covid-19, caps on international arrivals and closed boarders before we do any more damage to separated families, the economy and our standing in the world. C'mon Australia.
Well said, Pip. After all, it's not about the "survival of the fittest" (a phrase Darwin never actually used), but the survival of the most adaptable. Our understanding of the virus has grown immensely over the past year. Public policies need to adapt to reflect that reality.
Feeling very good after reading this latter written by Joel . All the Truth ,All the facts and Emotion of humanity in your heart with all logical Avidence . I wish All Australian citizens Raise Their voice for the people who stuck overseas and Also raise their voice for Their own Right And freedom in their own contry .
I Am a Indian , I lives in India and only for once I visited Australia in 2019 @My brothers home And now my brother his wife and my nephew are also stuck in India from last 1.5 year . They are trying hard to go back home and mailed Australian Government many Times but they are not getting response from them.
Scott marrison is such A sick old Man . I think he should give Resign from his position and should have to take rest @Home . Or Australian citizens has to Through him out of country .
The hysteria whipped up by the health ministers and media has got half the population thinking that Covid is a terminal disease whereas the death rate for 2020 is pretty much on par with previous years around the world!
Not sure a change in government will change mindset in OZ ....but we can hope!🙏. Also when your government is charging citizens $3000 to quarantine and putting 1 family on Xmas island at a cost of over $6000000 then you know they’ve lost the plot.
Yes, to be sure, I wasn't advocating a party change in government... only pointing out that governments seeking reelection often rely on the credulity of a fearful population. "Keep 'em scared, keep 'em voting." That goes for the so-called "left" and the so-called "right."
Finally someone puts exactly what I think in wards finally !! Very good read! People need to read this!
Kind of you to say, good sir. If you know anyone in particular who you think should read it, Aussies at home or abroad, please feel free to share it (forwarding, social media, etc.). The more people who understand what's going on, the better hope we have of getting some adults to the table and coming to some sensible solutions. Cheers!
Thank you Joel Bowman for your very well written and insightful post. I am an Aussie living in Australia and I feel trapped and I know so many others do as we cannot get out. I don't know how much longer I will be able to bear this feeling of being trapped. BUT then if I decide I have had enough and need to leave - I cannot leave without some God in the Border Force making some random decision if I can leave. I know so many cases of people having sold their house, their business - basically giving up their life here and some wee Public Servant God has said No!! How ridiculous and how heartbreaking - these people who have sold everything are now relying on family and friends to support them as they have nowhere to live and no income - Shame on you Australian Government!!!
The heart breaks...
The challenge now, as one wise woman said to me, is to get the so-called “quiet Australians” to make some noise!
Do share the message far and wide. People are waking up...
Hi Joel, fantastic article. I’d like to connect with you when time permits in regards to the possibility of further discussions as to the above. My best contact is jordan@strandedaussies.org
Thanks, Jordan. I’ll be in touch via email.
My wife passed me this article and never has a truer word been written, bravo! I enjoyed it so much I decided to re-read it again. In fact I may well get it framed and hang it in the bathroom while I am sitting on the thunderbox thinking about why Australia is going down the shitter.
My wife and I have travelled to around the same amount of countries as you, over 2 and a bit decades as we have a deep fascination with what we didn't know so we could learn other perspectives. Currently we are on an island in Thailand so life is ok but I feel a deep sadness for the Thais (and all similarly placed countries....long list) as they are quite literally watching opportunity evaporate around them from COVID and all the ensuing madness.
Your article articulates how we should assess the situation (and what my wife and I convey in conversations to people we meet) and that is from a perspective without the hype glasses on. It is easy to do simple calculations of various contries populations and work out % of COVID deaths, check it against other diseases. Heart disease still the #1 global killer and rising at a rapid rate? How many signs have you seen in your travels alerting you to it or what you should do to combat it? Ever seen a country be shut down for too many heart disease deaths ? Many world media outlets hyped this COVID situation and governments have bought in and created further power plays to subdue their citizens with fear. What stagers me is how easily so many bought into the idea. 1 Australian COVID case = state lockdown = happy safe people ?? You would have thought Ebola was running rampant around the world with the reactions.
I too wonder what will become of our great southern land we called home. Will the walls of paranoia continue to grow or will Australians finally have had enough and stand up against the hypocracy? Time will tell.
Any chance you want to run for PM ?
Excellent points, Astray. And well articulated. The grand irony here is that it may well be Aussies abroad, like your good self, who end up saving those back home from life in the paranoia panopticon. Best to you and your wife!
What about breaching human rights of those Australians trying to leave Australia who are being precluded from doing so without obtaining a special permit from the government? Shall they need a separate ruling as to breach of their human rights from the UNHCR in Geneva?
Yours faithfully,
Irena Pechanats
Great article, Joel. I am one of the many, many Australians with partners overseas who are desperate to be together again. Your article is being shared far and wide😊
Thanks a lot, Sharyn! Every share helps. The response so far has been thoroughly inspiring. Cheers!
well said, its dirty politics what Australia is doing.
Hi Joel . I absolutely loved this . I am in Australia separated from my partner who is overseas .
I shared this post on my Facebook & received very negative feedback from friends & family . They think I am too focused on this point of view & it comes across as un Australian . Iv lost friends over my view on how Australia has handled this & feel very disappointed in my countrymen. I received a phone call from a close friend telling me that this point of view will get me nowhere & only alienate me from more people . I feel if I keep quiet about us being locked up & freedoms taken away that I am participating in doing nothing & agreeing with the masses that have become obedient , complying members of a very insular Australia . Any thoughts or advice on dealing with these people ?
Hey Luke, thanks so much for the feedback. I hear your words and empathize with your situation. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you’ve said here. Sadly, it’s not uncommon. Anyway, I’m going to write a longer, more thorough piece later this week on just these issues. Short answer: I think there is cause for tempered optimism. The responses to this article that I’ve received here and elsewhere have been really inspirational. Anyway, watch this space for more and, in the meantime keep your head up. You’re amongst good people who want the right thing. Cheers!
Hi Joel,
the weirdest, most frustrating aspect of it is smth you called 'Stockholm Syndrome'. Everyone in Australia supports these policies, Ive had major fallouts with my family about it. Its like they're blind
I’m sorry to hear about the familial rifts, Ben. But I’m cautiously optimistic regarding the future. I’ve received a ton of encouraging feedback since posting this a week or so ago. I’ll share some of those messages, along with some more commentary, later this week. Hang in there!
Oh, and please do check out the small protest, speech included, that we held in Berlin a weeks ago: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=RebeccaMaschke&set=a.10161206246547782
Thanks Joel! Even though todays poll shows that 73% auf Australians favor shut borders until mid-2022: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9585827/Majority-Australians-want-international-borders-closed-Covid-19.html
:(
Excellent commentary Joel!
I too am hugely disappointed by the response to the pandemic back home. So much so that I petitioned the UNHCR to consider whether Australia is derogating it’s responsibilities under clause 12.4 of the ICCPR. The case is being represented by Geoffrey Robertson QC, and despite the committee immediately issuing an order for interim measures to ‘facilitate and ensure’ my prompt return whilst the case is being heard, my phone still hasn’t rung & I’m still stranded abroad.
We have organised ourselves into quite a community now, collecting together tens of thousands of Australian citizens, PR holders & other visa subclass holders who have the perfect legal right to come & go as they please (whilst obviously respecting public health), and together we are driving a lot of media, strategic litigation & political lobbying.
We could use a man with your communication skills ;) Join us!
FreeAndOpenAustralia.org
Brilliant piece. Thanks Joel. As an Aussie expat (16 years to date) currently based in Tokyo, Japan, I have never been so disappointed by my country. As you say I hope Australia wakes-up and starts to have an outward perspective... and just a little bit of empathy. The initial response was perhaps the correct thing to do; it did keep numbers down when a lot of other countries were rapidly spiking, but the government now needs to iterate and quickly. They need to be adaptable (as good leaders are) and change their policy on Covid-19, caps on international arrivals and closed boarders before we do any more damage to separated families, the economy and our standing in the world. C'mon Australia.
Well said, Pip. After all, it's not about the "survival of the fittest" (a phrase Darwin never actually used), but the survival of the most adaptable. Our understanding of the virus has grown immensely over the past year. Public policies need to adapt to reflect that reality.
Feeling very good after reading this latter written by Joel . All the Truth ,All the facts and Emotion of humanity in your heart with all logical Avidence . I wish All Australian citizens Raise Their voice for the people who stuck overseas and Also raise their voice for Their own Right And freedom in their own contry .
I Am a Indian , I lives in India and only for once I visited Australia in 2019 @My brothers home And now my brother his wife and my nephew are also stuck in India from last 1.5 year . They are trying hard to go back home and mailed Australian Government many Times but they are not getting response from them.
Scott marrison is such A sick old Man . I think he should give Resign from his position and should have to take rest @Home . Or Australian citizens has to Through him out of country .
Well said BUT I would not base a measure of success on a vaccine rollout when many don’t want or need it.🖖
Agreed ~ responsible adults will do their own research, not abdicate their responsibility to politicians who have already botched everything else.
The hysteria whipped up by the health ministers and media has got half the population thinking that Covid is a terminal disease whereas the death rate for 2020 is pretty much on par with previous years around the world!
A scared population is an easily controlled population. Did somebody say “federal election”?
Not sure a change in government will change mindset in OZ ....but we can hope!🙏. Also when your government is charging citizens $3000 to quarantine and putting 1 family on Xmas island at a cost of over $6000000 then you know they’ve lost the plot.
Yes, to be sure, I wasn't advocating a party change in government... only pointing out that governments seeking reelection often rely on the credulity of a fearful population. "Keep 'em scared, keep 'em voting." That goes for the so-called "left" and the so-called "right."