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Trust in science

Stephen Andrew statement on trust in science

Under the State’s emergency powers legislation, Queenslanders are being ruled over by a tiny group of unknown and unaccountable ‘experts’, NOT their elected politicians or government. This is not to excuse the Queensland government, or its leaders, who have slavishly done the bidding of these hidden technocrats, with a blind and unquestioning faith.
The experts’ views have been presented, without exception, as all-wise, all-knowing and above reproach – infallible. The public, by contrast, are always either ill-informed, mis-informed or ‘blithering idiots’, incapable of understanding anything more complicated than last week’s footy results.
This deeply patronising attitude has become widespread within government, where decision-making is all based on the need to protect the public from themselves.
“Shut up”, we are told like children, and “trust the experts”.
The fact is, scientists can be just as ideologically motivated and subject to conflicts of interest, as any politician. They might dress their views up as ‘evidence-based expertise’ but it is almost always being driven, underneath, by their own individual belief systems, and a set of unknown loyalties and prejudices.
The title of ‘expert’, therefore, should never be used to invoke godlike or supernatural superpowers, or to shut down public debate or questions, as we see happening today. If we are not free to dissent, to question the experts, or the policies they adopt, then we are no longer free citizens – or a democracy.

Has ‘science’ become your God?

If you believe “the science” is “settled” or that scientific truths are based on majority opinion – also known as “the consensus” – then you are referring to a religion. If you believe scientific theories, or hypotheses presented by scientists are beyond question or doubt, then you are actually talking about a belief system. If you believe in ‘science’ as the answer to ALL things, and that anyone who questions “the science” is guilty of heresy, then you are following dogma. If you tell people they must “trust the science” without question, and not permit them to see the data or evidence for themselves, then you are demanding an act of faith. If you believe that the amount of science you have at your hands right now is the final word on ALL matters, and if you use peer pressure, vilification and laws to silence those who don’t “follow the science”, then you actually live in a theocracy and “science” has become your God.
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Segregation by stealth

Stephen Andrew statement on segregation by stealth

In true Doublespeak fashion, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, and her government, prefer to call 17 December 2021, ‘Freedom Day’, but for many it will be ‘Segregation Day’ as the government takes a more sneaky approach when it comes to imposing tyrannical laws on its people.
Management at all Queensland’s clubs, pubs and hotels have been verbally advised by government officials – who simply refuse to commit anything to writing – that they must make a “choice” ahead of the December deadline:
1. If they ban “the UNVACCINATED” from their premises, they will be permitted to operate at 100% capacity; but
2. If they choose not to do so, they will be forced to only operate at 50% capacity.
So basically, it’s another ‘Hobson’s choice’ where business owners who make “THE WRONG CHOICE”, as Premier Andrews famously put it, will lose 50% of their takings each night and potentially go broke.
That’s some choice the Premier’s expensive team of ‘game theory’ strategists have dreamed up for our struggling hospitality industry. Once again, it will be WIN-WIN for government and LOSE-LOSE for Queensland Clubs/Pubs/Hotels and their patrons. All without our cowardly government having to lift a tyrannical finger to either legislate or enforce the new laws themselves.
A key flaw in the Machiavellian plan, however, is that whatever choice they opt for, ALL venues will need to hire extra Security Guards, at considerable cost to business owners, in order to police the policy. Good luck with that! Qualified security staff are as scarce as hen’s teeth in Queensland, and getting scarcer by the day.
Already burdened with a mountain of red tape and regulations that have virtually crushed the industry in recent years, those still operating say this latest blow will be the last straw for many. They are furious at being forced into becoming a de facto and UNPAID public health inspectorate for the government. Something many of them feel they are NOT qualified to perform, and have no wish to become so. Particularly as it will put them smack bang in the middle when it comes to having to deal with public outrage and anger, when the exclusionary policies take effect on 17 December.
So once again, it will be the private sector and small business who pay the price, while our political and public health leaders skulk in the shadows, emerging only now and then to repeat smugly:
“It’s all voluntary! We gave you a choice!”
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