Australia's COVID response is 'off the rails': Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has castigated Australia's response to COVID, warning that the country has gone “dramatically off the rails” and likened it to communist China.

Mr DeSantis questioned whether the United States should maintain its current level of diplomatic relationship with Canberra.

Unlike some American states, Florida has taken a relatively hands off approach to combating COVID.

Governor DeSantis, a rising star of the Republican Party, has made most COVID-19 restrictions illegal in May 2021.

He banned vaccine mandates for workers and is against mandatory mask wearing.

Speaking at the International Boat Builders’ Exhibition and Conference in Tampa, he warned that Australia has gone too far when it comes to restricting freedoms as it battles an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant in its eastern states.

"Look what’s going on in Australia right now. You know, they’re enforcing, after a year and a half, they’re still enforcing lockdowns by the military," Governor DeSantis warned.

"That’s not a free country. It’s not a free country at all. In fact, I mean, I wonder why we would still have the same diplomatic relations when they’re doing that.

"Is Australia freer than China, communist China, right now? I don’t know. The fact that that’s even a question tells you something has gone dramatically off the rails with some of this stuff."

Only just over 1,250 Australians have died from COVID, compared to more than 54,000 Floridians.

Florida averages 350 deaths per day in a state of 22 million people.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended Australia's response to COVID, arguing "cultural differences" were behind the different approaches.

“I think we are different societies. I mean, we‘re great friends and we share beliefs and values that we hold dear … but in Australia, when it comes to public health, we’re a very pragmatic nation," Mr Morrison told US network CBS.

"And I can tell you, the virus doesn’t care what you believe. The virus cares about how it can come and take your life."

[rapscallion]

Also how quickly Victoria police transformed into the enforcement arm of an authoritarian health dictatorship.

[matthewdonald]

It seems insane to be sack nurses in a pandemic and then complain about the healthcare sector not being able to cope.

[pattpatt]

I'm an Australian ex military, and I'm Disgusted with what is happening in my country!!!?

[lesliesepssy]

In 1956- I left Hungary because of communism, only to find myself in Victoria in a worse situation than what I have left, totall loss of Liberty, and the people of Australia has no balls to do anything about it!

[martinbeager]

Is he offering asylum?
I'm honestly over it... never thought I'd see Australians turn on each other but they did and it happened so damn quickly

[AlexSmith-grhp]

Let that sink in. Florida Man is pointing at us and calling us crazy. And he’s spot on.

[epiphany]

Melbourne went from being "The most liveable city in the world" to George Orwell's 1984.

[georgegt]

Two years ago everyone was dying to come here, now they're dying to leave

[md]

I could not agree with Ron more. Dictator Dan and others need to go

[chrisnathanael]

Well said mate put pressure on the government especially the government of Dan Andrews
All the good people in high places in The USA do what you can to help us! God bless you

[hayleemarmn]

Honestly as an Australian, I’am bloody disgusted at the lockdown rules and regulations. It feels like some North Korea shit.

[itchyew]

I will die standing before i ever live on my knees, we are free people, proud people, lets stand AS ONE and say NO

[MerryOlSoulGigglesmith]

The entire world can see how bad Australia has gotten

[protyusgames]

I would vote for him. He doesn't believe you can trample the rights of the individual to assuage the fears of the many.

[LilyWhiteAkAConspiracyRealist]

Australias approach had been a “take from peter to give to paul” mentality and its destroying OUR SOCIETY 😵‍💫

[yankeeluver]

"Tough" is not the correct word for Australia's lockdowns. I prefer the word tyrannical.

[TheSachinRK]

He's right, people here in Australia are losing their minds for being kept under house arrest for soo long, feels like the human rights guide book has been thrown out the window.

[sbrd]

Seriously who would want to travel to Australia after seeing all this

[LauranCHB]

It's not a "tougher stance on Covid", it's a horrible crackdown on Australia's people & their civil liberties. It's been heartbreaking to watch a democracy turn dictatorship in those territories.

[TheGameDemoCreator]

Sources: Australian police respond: "We are too busy beating the batshit out of our mates to respond."