Australia "Nanny State"
Essay: Why do governments interfere with personal liberties? Can Australia be seen as a ‘Nanny state’?
Governments across the world interfere with personal liberties, some on a higher level than others. Some governments prefer to sit back and let society function by itself, with little interference, whereas others interfere greatly with the aim to help society in one way or another. The government in Australia has recently begun enacting legislation, which could be seen as violating personal rights and liberties. These are basic individual rights and being free within a society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority, such as freedom of religion. This has earned Australian the title, the “Nanny state”, meaning a government is being over protective of its citizens and making them conform far too often than necessary.
Governments interfere with personal liberties for numerous reasons, all of which are fairly agreeable incentives. They interfere in order to improve the standard of living, protect those whom are vulnerable or disadvantaged, to ensure resources are used efficiently, and to protect ourselves. An overall benefit to society, though sometimes it does not work out quite in that manner.
In order to achieve the overall benefit to society, the government must address the issues that currently need to be revised and when needed, enact new legislation. The problem with addressing certain issues is that society can have a bad reaction to the new legislation, or however else the government is dealing with the issues.
Smoking cigarettes has been considered a major issue in society for numerous years. Smoking-related diseases killed 14,900 Australians in 2004–05. To put into perspective, there were 40 preventable deaths every day. Some major tobacco-related diseases include cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Each year in Australia, the government spends $31 billion on health related facilities and programs educating
Governments across the world interfere with personal liberties, some on a higher level than others. Some governments prefer to sit back and let society function by itself, with little interference, whereas others interfere greatly with the aim to help society in one way or another. The government in Australia has recently begun enacting legislation, which could be seen as violating personal rights and liberties. These are basic individual rights and being free within a society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority, such as freedom of religion. This has earned Australian the title, the “Nanny state”, meaning a government is being over protective of its citizens and making them conform far too often than necessary.
Governments interfere with personal liberties for numerous reasons, all of which are fairly agreeable incentives. They interfere in order to improve the standard of living, protect those whom are vulnerable or disadvantaged, to ensure resources are used efficiently, and to protect ourselves. An overall benefit to society, though sometimes it does not work out quite in that manner.
In order to achieve the overall benefit to society, the government must address the issues that currently need to be revised and when needed, enact new legislation. The problem with addressing certain issues is that society can have a bad reaction to the new legislation, or however else the government is dealing with the issues.
Smoking cigarettes has been considered a major issue in society for numerous years. Smoking-related diseases killed 14,900 Australians in 2004–05. To put into perspective, there were 40 preventable deaths every day. Some major tobacco-related diseases include cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Each year in Australia, the government spends $31 billion on health related facilities and programs educating