Zimmermann: It's Time to Resist the Tyranny of the Ruling Classes
Enacted by the Western Australian Parliament, the Iron Ore Processing Agreement Amendment Act provides the State Premier and his Attorney General exemption from the criminal law and civil liabilities. The Act bans any matter being taken to court so that, in theory, it would ban even actions in the Australian High Court. It explicitly terminates legal proceedings in relation to coronavirus measures which were currently underway in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the Federal Court of Australia.
In addition, the WA Act prohibits freedom of information by preventing citizens from obtaining the proper information about what the State Government is doing to hold it accountable. Finally, the Act gives the Premier the arbitrary power to impose legislation without reference to Parliament. In essence, this an unconstitutional exercise of power that completely violates the most basic elements of the rule of law and democratic government, including separation of powers, natural justice and due process of law.
Perhaps even more disturbing is the Prime Minister's refusal to criticise the arbitrary behaviour of these Premiers, in keeping with his strong belief in "national leadership unity". ’Daniel Andrews has my full support ... I will give him every support he needs, Scott Morrison said. Offering support to the oppressive measures of the Victorian government is, according to him, ’the only thing that matters to the federal government.
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