NSW

Here Be Dragons

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In ancient times map makers would write in Latin “Here be lions” to mark the unknown land beyond the borders of the map. In medieval times they would draw dragons and other fearful mythical creatures to warn the traveller that unknown dangers lurked off the map. Other cartographers would write “Terra incognita” or unknown land.

Today, politicians talk of “the regions” in the same way. “The regions” are scary places outside of “Greater Sydney” where they elect strange people like Barnaby Joyce, wear funny hats and stand in paddocks all day watching sheep and cows graze. To these people, the people who make the rules that govern our lifestyle here in “the regions”, there is no difference between Byron Bay and Broken Hill, Mudgee and Moree, Narrabri and Nambucca.

That explains why in Narrabri, where there has never been a single case of Covid within 100 km of us, we have to wear masks and limit the number of visitors we can have in our homes. Apparently if somebody coughs in Katoomba we could catch it in Narrabri. You can’t be too careful.

Every election time, the Nationals come out and tell us that they are the only ones who can represent country voters in the NSW Government. That is working out well for us. When John Barilaro makes his empty promises about relaxing the rules “in the regions” you can tell he has been captured by Sydney.

In Goondiwindi, and right through Western Queensland there are no mandatory mask rules. In Boggabilla on the NSW side of the border, of course they have to wear masks indoors. It is a sad day when a Labor Queensland Premier understands her state better than the Liberal/ National leaders do in NSW.

To be honest, I don’t care too much about politics, but I am worried when our elected leaders and their unelected advisers continue to impose rules on the 95% of NSW that is not “Greater Sydney” with such little knowledge and even less concern.

Thousands join outcry against NSW Premier’s religion crackdown

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From Family Voice Australia:

Thousands join outcry against NSW Premier’s religion crackdown

NSW restrictions meme for website4

Pressure is building on NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to end her discriminatory COVID-19 church crackdown.

Over six thousand people have signed a petition launched by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney on May 27.

Presently in NSW fifty people can meet at hospitality venues. But as few as eleven people are prohibited from meeting at a church.

“Churches have cooperated at every stage with the Government’s public health directives during this pandemic,” Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP said.

“We understand that the shutdown was necessary to flatten the curve, but it came at a cost – not only to the economy, but also to the spiritual and mental health of our people.

“They miss gathering for worship and praying in a sacred space. I am at a loss to explain to Catholics in Sydney why our reasonable requests to the government are not being granted. 

“Contrary to what has been said throughout this pandemic, we do not consider church attendance to be non-essential; indeed, nothing is more essential than the practice of our faith,” reads the petition.

“Catholics are not asking for special treatment, we are asking for equal treatment.

“This unequal treatment of religious worship leads us to ask whether the Government is listening to the concerns of Catholics and other people of faith or indifferent to the effect the closure of our churches is having on people during these difficult times.

“The freedom to practice faith is necessary for human flourishing and a great contributor to the common good.” 

FamilyVoice Australia National Director Peter Downie said, “Governments have been heavy-handed and unjust in their treatment of churches during the COVID-19 crisis.”