Not the whole country - but one state. And it was supposedly going to be for six days.
Of course, across the border in Victoria, when we went into hard lockdown it was only supposed to be for two weeks - and kept being extended until it was nearly four months. We're mostly out of now but that's only been for the last two weeks. And they could throw us back in any time they like.
Unfortunately because of the way the Australian constitution functions, the actions of state governments are not restrained in the way the federal government is. State governments can basically act in dictatorial fashion if they choose to.
“State governments can basically act in dictatorial fashion if they choose to.”
It works that way in America, too! That’s why all of the BLUE states are still locked down, and the RED states are going about their business, keeping the economy slightly above water which is SUPPORTING the @#$%^&! BLUE States, who will whine and cry and get GOBS of Federal Money, anyway!
We. Cannot. Win. I quit. Seriously. I REFUSE to earn any income now (I’m retired) though I am constantly head-hunted, and I REFUSE to buy any Taxable goods!
Starve the Beast!
They would anyway, constitution or not.
Federal and state constitutions here in the US have done nothing to reign in power hungry, tin pot dictator wannabes. They politicians just ignore the constitutions and nobody demands accountability.
It works in theory. In practice, we’re no better off.
Does your Constitution restrain Canberra from forcing your premier to cut ties with the Chicomms?