Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Russell Broadbent MP

Russell Broadbent highlights hidden costs of COVID-19 pandemic in Australia stressing inhumane decisions made

Russell Broadbent highlights the hidden human costs of the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing inhumane decisions made by state and territory governments. He calls for a royal commission to address these issues.

By news@gippsland - 12th October 2023 - Back to News

Apparently, Australia's GDP suffered a cumulative loss of around $158bn because of the Covid pandemic. But what about the cost of human suffering and trauma that so many Australians endured? Highly respected Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay, recently said "the true cost of the Covid-19 pandemic is almost impossible to measure and the broader human cost of the pandemic, such as families being separated by border closures and lockdowns, Australians being unable to return home from overseas, and schools being closed was substantial.

Lorraine Finlay, a highly respected Human Rights Commissioner, stated that quantifying the full extent of the COVID-19 pandemic's human cost is challenging

Stress and pressure put on parents

Even now, professional Victorian firefighters are still not allowed back to work if they're not jabbed. The human cost of decisions made by all levels of government continues to mount and we'll be paying the price for decades. But let me be clear, it's the inhumane decisions made by state and territory governments that traumatised families and violated their human rights.

• The stress and pressure put on parents with young children was unbearable. It was cruel and unnecessary:
• Remember the families holed up inside their homes 23 hours a day with local playgrounds fenced off?
• The unconscionable no jab, no job mandates where thousands of people lost their jobs and then their homes?
• Primary school children forced to wear masks at school?
• Parents being told to vaccinate their child to protect grandparents?

When have we ever subjected children to vaccination for anything other than their own protection?

Healthcare rights violations

I'll never forget the gut-wrenching stories of Nicole, a young birthing mum who was forced to wear a mask during labour. And a young couple, Moe and Sarah, who were prevented from seeing their newborn baby for a week after his emergency birth, even though they tested negative for COVID-19 and were fully vaccinated!

It's barbaric decisions like these which states and territories must be held to account for. I agree with Ms Finlay's assertion that "a royal commission should be the preferred option," but for me, it's the only option if we are to heal and understand why the human rights of Australians were so quickly and easily abandoned.

Pictures from Google Images.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes highlights community collaboration survive South Gippsland's dry season challenges
  Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes credits collaboration with the Inverloch Cluster and local water authorities for navigating South Gippsland's recurring dry conditions and improving farm drought resilience.
• Gippsland Water completes Baw Baw Leak Detection Program, repairing hidden leaks to improve service reliability and reduce water loss
  Gippsland Water's Baw Baw leak detection program surveyed 425 km of mains, uncovering 128 leaks. Repairs improve service reliability, reduce water loss, and support proactive network maintenance across the region.
• David Littleproud warns vegetable growers of crisis as compliance costs soar, confidence collapses and exits loom
  Nationals leader David Littleproud warns Australia's food security is at risk, with two in five growers considering leaving amid rising compliance costs, financial strain, and Labor policies undermining farming viability.
• Australia to celebrate inaugural Red and Yellow Day honouring volunteer lifesavers and supporting water safety initiatives
  Australia will celebrate its first Red & Yellow Day on March 4, 2026, honouring volunteer lifesavers and supporting lifesaving clubs through community participation and fundraising for vital water safety initiatives.
• Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
  Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care.
• East Gippsland opens nominations for 2026 Australia Day Awards recognising outstanding community contributions and achievements
  East Gippsland Shire Council invites nominations for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising individuals, groups, and events for outstanding community contributions in volunteering, sport, arts, environment, and service.
• South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
  South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months.
• South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
  South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months.