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The Newly Rebranded Emergency Powers Could Turn Western Australia Into a Police State

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The Newly Rebranded Emergency Powers Could Turn Western Australia Into a Police State
Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan speaks during the Labor Party election campaign launch at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia, on May 1, 2022. Paul Kane/Getty Images
Augusto Zimmermann
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Commentary

A state of emergency has been in place in Western Australia (WA) since March 15, 2020. This has given its government extraordinary powers to impose draconian rules and restrictions with the stroke of a pen. These measures are currently renewed every two weeks by the simple signature of the emergency services minister, Stephen Dawson.

Augusto Zimmermann
Augusto Zimmermann
Ph.D.
Augusto Zimmermann, PhD, LLD, is a professor and head of law at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education in Perth. He is also president of the Western Australian Legal Theory Association and served as a commissioner with the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia from 2012 to 2017. Mr. Zimmermann has authored numerous books, including “Western Legal Theory: History, Concepts and Perspectives" and “Foundations of the Australian Legal System: History, Theory, and Practice.”
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