A “State of Emergency” declared by the President, holds for only 21 days, unless Parliament extends it. Yet a “State of Disaster”, which makes equally draconian inroads on our fundamental rights, will run for at least 45 days and parliament doesn’t get a word in. Democracy much?

It seems pretty clear to me that the extension of the date of disaster and the blanket closure of all non-essential businesses and the blanket prohibition on the sale of non-essential goods is sailing pretty close to the edge of what is unconstitutional.

Under the Disaster Management Act, regulatory powers may only be used to:
1. assist and protect the public.
2. provide relief.
3. protect property.
4. prevent and combat disruption.
5. deal with the destructive and other effects of the disaster.
The regs go way beyond that.