Australia’s rapid descent into brutal dictatorship continues. Having politicised the police force, whose members now roam the streets in groups, intimidating and harassing innocent civilians, leaving one recently in a coma, the effectively one-man government in the state of Victoria has now introduced collective punishment, which under United Nations Article 33 is a war crime. He has stated today (October 5th) that should some people not do as he demands, then he will enforce further restrictions on the entire population. The population is effectively under house arrest, family members not living together cannot see each other, medical care is difficult to obtain, and the borders are sealed to prevent people leaving. People with foreign passports are prevented from visiting their consulates or embassies. Worryingly, Australia’s Federal government appears to be unwilling to deal with this situation. This should be a warning that democracy cannot be taken for granted, and shows how easily it is usurped by a madman. [Photograph: Victoria’s dictator Dan Andrews]