Angry about proposed travel ban exemption for footballers

[angella44]

I nearly just blew my foofu valve when I heard on ABC radio that a NZ Rugby League team was expecting to get an exemption from the travel ban on non-Australian citizens so that they can come to Australia for the "vital" reason of playing footy. It makes me really angry to think that this might be allowed when many other people are not able to come here eg my son's British girlfriend. I can guarantee you that she would not be off camping with the brothers, shooting at things without a licence, riding a motor bike in contravention of social distancing and travel limitations or drinking and dancing with a posse of hot young guys.
I cannot believe that this is even being considered. Probably this is more like a rant than a post, but really, why should the rules be bent for football players (expecting to be flamed for saying this!)

I agree. The worst exemption to make. There is no benefit to society.
It makes no sense, except that someone (not most) will make some money from it.

 

[StevoQFtraveller]

Just let me swim......

 

[Happy Trails]

Of course FIFO workers can misbehave. But similar profile to footy players? Really? Most Australians could name plenty of footballers, especially the ones whose faces are regularly splashed across our TV screens and newspapers for any sniff of indiscretion.

Whether they like it or not they are in the headlights wherever they go and whatever they do. Not sure I’ve heard of any infamous FIFO workers who have media camped outside their house. I Certainly can’t name any individuals.

Though misbehaving FIFOs would, very likely, be instantly dismissed.

 

[drron]

Though misbehaving FIFOs would, very likely, be instantly dismissed.

Or shot dead in Port Headland.

FIFO worker shot dead by police inside Pilbara shopping centre identified

The asphalt worker had reportedly had an altercation with his work supervisor and been driven back to his motel by a colleague shortly before he began stabbing people at random.

www.watoday.com.au

 

[Ekka]

@Pushka, exactly. Why are these particular non-Australian citizens so important that they get an exemption from rules that are being enforced on others? Especially given the track record of this "class of people" in complying with the rules. And before people shout down about tarring every footy player with the same brush, that's exactly the point here - apparently we are all in it together and the virus can't tell if you are just a boofhead or not. One footy player doing the wrong thing puts other people at risk, and I don't see why we would be willing to make exemptions for importing these risks when we are not willing to import others.

Or if we are willing to import them (and take the risks), then my son's British GF, who is a lawyer, would surely be a lower risk import after her 14 day quarantine, than a footy team.

I notice that the Albury local council seems to share my perspective with their reaction to the Melbourne Storm and the intention not to give them special status above all other people who are subject to travel bans either domestically or internationally.

All pigs are equal, but some are more equal than others? (And sorry to any pigs offended by the reference!)

Perhaps it involves the undeniable fact that they are coming from nearby NZ, and that NZ has almost as successful a record as Australia in this struggle.
Are you aware how bad the UK's performance has been?
So, importing twenty or thirty infection-free NZers, who come from a low-infection country is low-risk.

Why is a lawyer a lower risk than a garbo, by the way?

 

[OZDUCK]

The W.A Government is staying firm to it's decision that Quarantine provisions applies equally to all.

WA scuppers AFL restart plans, saying it has 'no confidence' players won't jeopardise public health

The WA Government drills down on its decision to reject a home and away AFL season, saying the state's borders "would not and should not" be compromised to accommodate players.

www.abc.net.au

 

[get me outta here]

What sort of example is this that these people are allowed to display and becomes a national headline? Apparently the three footballers have a special dispensation to play even though they are not having their flu shots due to some misguided idea that they are anti-vaccination. Presumably, they are endangering not only themselves but if they have that attitude their families especially their children, and other people.

 

[TheRealTMA]

What sort of example is this that these people are allowed to display and becomes a national headline? Apparently the three footballers have a special dispensation to play even though they are not having their flu shots due to some misguided idea that they are anti-vaccination. Presumably, they are endangering not only themselves but if they have that attitude their families especially their children, and other people.

Yes. They are just people who throw a pig skinned ball around. Who do they and the officials actually think they are? (Rhetorical)

I very rarely agree with Morrison and have never with Dutton, but this time “No jab, No play” is absolutely correct. If they don‘t agree then they can get a real job, and deprive their Instagram influencer wife’s of an income.

Any attempts to use the religious freedom idiocy argument should be thrown in the bin where they belong.

 

[Pushka]

So apparently Crows (AFL) players, 16 of them, have returned from interstate and are in isolation. In the Barossa Valley. So they decided to go out as a group to train. . Is there a bang head on table icon? Did they not think they were breaking the rules re groups, breaking the rules of social distancing, and if one tests positive it’s goodbye for 16 players.

Post automatically merged: May 7, 2020

Yes. They are just people who throw a pig skinned ball around. Who do they and the officials actually think they are? (Rhetorical)

I very rarely agree with Morrison and have never with Dutton, but this time “No jab, No play” is absolutely correct. If they don‘t agree then they can get a real job, and deprive their Instagram influencer wife’s of an income.

Any attempts to use the religious freedom idiocy argument should be thrown in the bin where they belong.

Apparently travel social influencers and instagrammers are going bankrupt. Yay. There’s a positive outcome from Covid.

 

[OZDUCK]

I have a similar view of Dutton as you but to give him credit his comments today are excellent.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton backed up Mr Morrison, saying the Federal Government's decision to allow the Warriors into Australia was based on the NRL's promise to adhere to a set of conditions, including seasonal flu shots.

"The conditions were obvious and the commitments were made by the NRL before a decision was made to allow them to go ahead," Mr Dutton told 2GB radio.

"We provided support, obviously, for the players to come from New Zealand, and we did that based on the health advice. And the health advice was based on the commitments given by the NRL. So I think it's pretty clear-cut."

 

[Seat0B]

Of course FIFO workers can misbehave. But similar profile to footy players? Really? Most Australians could name plenty of footballers, especially the ones whose faces are regularly splashed across our TV screens and newspapers for any sniff of indiscretion.

Whether they like it or not they are in the headlights wherever they go and whatever they do. Not sure I’ve heard of any infamous FIFO workers who have media camped outside their house. I Certainly can’t name any individuals.

I actually meant that they are mainly young guys, working in “essential” industries when I said similar profile.

Post automatically merged: May 7, 2020

Though misbehaving FIFOs would, very likely, be instantly dismissed.

....Unlike misbehaving footy players.

 

[DC3]

So apparently Crows (AFL) players, 16 of them, have returned from interstate and are in isolation. In the Barossa Valley. So they decided to go out as a group ...

They may be training while following the distancing thing? We hope so. There must be something that they could do regarding maintaining physical fitness and no contact. Something like the Kiwi mob that arrived in Tamworth last Sunday. Small groups and distancing we are told.

Edit: Would they be that stupid as to defy distancing? Then again, maybe they are Stars.

 

[boxjelly5]

I very rarely agree with Morrison and have never with Dutton, but this time “No jab, No play” is absolutely correct. If they don‘t agree then they can get a real job, and deprive their Instagram influencer wife’s of an income.

I agree with you 100% re the anti vaxers. They make society a more dangerous place. But I’d say the League would insist if they could. Obviously they have had legal advice and realise they can’t under the law. It has to apply across society and “Real jobs” too, not just people throwing a pig skin around. I wish they could legislate compulsory vaccination but we still have creationists, gun advocates, and science deniers in our midst so add it to the list.

 

[Pushka]

They may be training while following the distancing thing? We hope so. There must be something that they could do regarding maintaining physical fitness and no contact. Something like the Kiwi mob that arrived in Tamworth last Sunday. Small groups and distancing we are told.

Edit: Would they be that stupid as to defy distancing? Then again, maybe they are Stars.

For training with AFL I think it’s three. Because the VICAFL have said it’s not fair for Vic teams who currently can’t train at all.

 

[Pushka]

Its paywalled but it seems like the AFL are the ones with their knickers in a twist. WA teams will be giving the crows the high five right now.

"But the players were seen training in a large group at the nearby Tanunda Pines golf course with footballs this morning.

A league spokesperson said the AFL was taking the matter “extremely seriously”.

“The AFL is investigating the reported breach of our protocols that are in place to protect the health and wellbeing of players, staff and the wider community,” he said.

“We have been very clear about the importance of all clubs adhering to the protocols and take this matter extremely seriously.”

SA allows groups of up to 10 but AFL players are not permitted to train in groups of more than two to ensure fairness before full training for all 18 clubs resumes"

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www.adelaidenow.com.au

 

[p--and--t]

"But the players were seen training in a large group at the nearby Tanunda Pines golf course with footballs this morning.

Nothing new here. Just a continuation of the "we are stars, we don't have to obey any laws that all you commoners do, let alone follow rules we dont care about (or don't think we will be caught out breaking)"

 

[drron]

But they weren't breaking SA laws where they were training.Just that the AFL says they should train using Victorian laws.

 

[jakeseven7]

So apparently Crows (AFL) players, 16 of them, have returned from interstate and are in isolation. In the Barossa Valley. So they decided to go out as a group to train. . Is there a bang head on table icon? Did they not think they were breaking the rules re groups, breaking the rules of social distancing, and if one tests positive it’s goodbye

And who exactly is surprised.... no one.

 

[Pushka]

But they weren't breaking SA laws where they were training.Just that the AFL says they should train using Victorian laws.

I'm guessing no one thought to write up the rules of gatherings when someone is in isolation?

 

[get me outta here]

Apparently it has been decided that conscientious objection (!), religious beliefs or medical reasons is a good enough excuse for them not to fulfil the original requirement to be vaccinated, which seem to have changed now because well they’re kind of like gods and we can’t do without them.

The anti-vaxers have won which is not a good look at all.

Some might think they are stubborn and selfish.