Some governors in the US don't think so .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcBrfyFuIEw&feature=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRSxW4YhlXw

Australia's 8 kingdoms should have worked together instead of the destructive border town divisions.

bgt wrote:

---

If lock downs work could someone explain why they never worked in the UK? And why the WHO also says they don't work?

---

 In my opinion

Lockdowns worked in the countries, which locked down early

Example Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, etc

In the UK, and Europe, lockdowns came after Covid-19 got a toe hold, and some of the local population, ignored the lockdown directions, and allowed the virus to keep spreading

I was unaware that W.H.O. said that lockdowns did not work
Perhaps they are not aware of what is happening, in some countries such as Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, etc

Greg 1 wrote:

---

The reason they didn't work in the UK was they waited until they were in serious trouble and then locked down and not for long enough so copped another wave. At least most of our governments had a bit more between the ears which is surprising but it worked.

---

 And trying to confine,and control,66 million people in a country only 7% bigger than Victoria surely is futile? Cheers

peter67 wrote:

---

+1 TheHeaths here in WA most people don't mind if the border stay shut forever.

---

 A lot of people here in the East have similar feelings about the WA border Peter.

If locking down state borders has been the reason that covid has been controlled how come NSW has been able to achieve the same result without stopping inter state travel every time there is a case of covid reported. The spikes have been caused (and still are) by returning over seas travellers and last I heard Sydney has shouldered most of this load so where is the risk of it getting out into the community the greatest ? We are also subsidising the smaller states with our GST but what would happen if you only got what you paid in those of us living in NSW, Vic and WA would be better off but what about everyone else - a lot of belt tightening I guess.

IMHO getting rid of state governments would probably be more beneficial than operating like 6 seperate colonies, NZ seems to manage ok with only federal and local governments running the place. Alternatively if we want to stay with having seperate states lets ressess where the borders are drawn as all the political power and spending seems to be concentrated around the main population areas such as SE Qld, Sydney and Melbourne. I liked the idea that I read recently of forming a state called Northern Australia made up of North Qld, the Territory and northern WA, I aslo like the idea of forming the state of New England made up of the northern half of NSW from the Hunter up to the Qld border - in this state Sydney is like a big sponge when it comes to sharing the wealth.

BB

BB, NSW did close the border at Albury to keep Melbournians out, with that and others also closing borders that meant that NSW was in fact locked down at various stages. So what NSW achieved was by the curtesy of her three neighbours.

bgt, it matters very little what one federal politician thinks about the Senate, indeed even if every member wanted changed that doesn't mean diddly squat.
"a majority of voters nationwide and a majority of States (four out of six) must approve the changes."

bgt wrote
BB you are being too logical. I know of at least one federal politician who wants a change to how the Fed Senate works. Instead of each state having the same number of senators it would become mandatory that each state provide at least two senators from country areas. Yes a small step. But it would water down city control.

There are 12 Senators for each State they are appointed for the whole state, there are no boundaries.

Santa wrote:

---

peter67 wrote:

---

+1 TheHeaths here in WA most people don't mind if the border stay shut forever.

---

 A lot of people here in the East have similar feelings about the WA border Peter.

---

 Did i mention I HATE IT WHEN SOMEONE MAKES A REALISTIC ASSESSMENT of our state of WA. We're only good for supporting eastern state budgets via mining revenue GST and we've been ripped off for years by eastern state premiers who refused to change the voting status quo... that sounds too serious so how about a conspiracy theory, it might be fact actually :) why is it that only in the ACT is it legal to buy porno films and grow your own dope, the plant I mean.

ps edited as a libel precaution

Kebbin wrote:

---

BB, NSW did close the border at Albury to keep Melbournians out, with that and others also closing borders that meant that NSW was in fact locked down at various stages. So what NSW achieved was by the curtesy of her three neighbours.

 

True Kebbin NSW did close the border to Victoria after a major outbreak occured in Melbourne but we still kept it open long enough to see if it could be brought it under control - it has never been closed to the other states. The difference is that other states stopped travel usually without any notice as soon as they heard that there was  a case somewhere. If you're saying that NSW kept the virus under control because everyone else closed their borders then that would suggest that it was prevented from entering NSW from those states. The only reason borders were closed was to prevent the virus getting out of NSW so how did the border closures have an impact on controlling the spread of covid here ?  The outbreaks have been happening in Australia as a result of it escaping from quarantine hotels so if our courteous neighbours would like to help by reducing the load it would be appreciated -  I bet not too many hands will get raised..

Peter67 WA doesn't support NSW or Victoria with GST both states are paying more $ into the pot than they get back.  I agree with you that WA is being ripped off but your argument should be with the Federal govt. and the states that are being subsidised not those who are in the same boat. 

I am well aware of the resentment that WA locals have about the way they believe they are treated by the "eastern states" I lived in the Pilbara for a few years back in the late 70s and even  then I got sick of hearing it.

Australias first export was 150T of coal from Newcastle to India in 1801 which kept the colonists in Sydney from starving we are still the worlds largest coal exporting port generating billions of $, we have never had to rely on handouts from WA or anyone else.  

Greater Newcastle has the same population as Tasmania if we had 12 senators to represent our interests maybe we wouldn't have lost all of our industries to regions that have more political clout than we do ? If we became part of the state of New England I bet our level of representation would soon change.

BB