Aren’t members of the police force Australian citizens too? Citizens who have families and are also hurting because of the stubbornness of their Premiers and health officials? I understand they have to follow orders, but don’t they have a union or ombudsman that they can go and complain to when they do not agree with the orders they are given? Is part of their job really to intimidate and instil fear into already petrified and abused people? To arrest people posting on social media, to visit homes and exacerbate the fear premiers have already instilled? Do many of our police forces enjoy being the laughing stock of the whole world now?

I grew up in an Australia where I was secure in the knowledge that the police were my friends and protecting me, and I continued to believe this for decades. until premiers turned them into their personal army and stormtroopers — and I don’t use the term lightly.  

Today, in 2021 Australia, I am afraid. Afraid there will be a knock on my door and I will be fined and jailed because I made my opinion public.  

I don’t go to the demonstrations because I am afraid. I cannot afford to be arrested, and so fear keeps me from living freely in what I believed was a democracy. 

I was born in Russia, and came out here as a child, to a democratic country that offered me opportunities and freedoms, which I now feel I did not appreciate nearly enough. My parents regaled me with stories about the evils of communism and dictatorship, and now they cannot watch the news because our premiers, here in Australia, remind them of memories they have never really erased, so many decades later after escaping from Russia.  

I understand the police are doing what they were ordered to do. They are grateful for a job and a paycheck, so do as they are told, but why on earth are we not hearing about them complaining to their union reps about what they are being ordered to do?  

Their job is protecting the people, not attacking and beating them and arresting them for peacefully protesting. Not to show up in full paramilitary attire, with horses, to intimidate.

They must be aware the orders they are carrying out damage their standing in the eyes of the community, ultimately threatening the rule of law.

I want to go back to a time where I once again trust and respect my police force. Most of them are great people and I appreciate they put themselves in harm’s way every day they are on the job. I do not appreciate their becoming our leaders’ henchmen and enforcers.  

For every person who is so grateful about being ‘kept safe’ — and I have heard many otherwise smart people use this refrain — there are at least 10 others that are devasted physically, mentally and financially, yet afraid to speak out. Enough is enough. 

Lily Steiner is a radio host on www.J-Air.com.au and a lifelong advocate for Israel. She is an entrepreneur and Founder of American Business Gateway, specialising in out of the box thinking to improve revenues in businesses and works with companies, individuals and corporate entrepreneurs.