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Tony Abbott Complains Australia's Pride And Joy Of Sitting In The Front Of A Cab Is Under Threat

Tony Abbott Complains Australia's Pride And Joy Of Sitting In The Front Of A Cab Is Under Threat

The former Prime Minister said it's a 'mark of being Australian' but is worried that culture with fade due to 'virus hysteria'.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

The coronavirus pandemic has caused loads of normal, everyday things in our lives to change.

Whether it's masks on public transport, having hand sanitiser everywhere or being socially distanced from each other at the beach, there's no denying life has altered.

Most of us are aware that these measures are necessary to ensure coronavirus doesn't spread.

However, Tony Abbott has complained about 'virus hysteria and health despotism' in a video announcing his new role with the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA).

"For a full year we've let a virus dominate our lives and in the process put safety before freedom, prudence before courage and avoiding danger before accepting risk," he said.

"Even though courage, conviction and character remain vital to our success as a people."

He genuinely said that things we hold dear to us, like people sitting in the front seat of taxis, is under threat.

The former Prime Minister believes this trait is a 'mark of being Australian', according to SBS, and is an indicator that Australia's way of life could disappear.

"But like so much, that's currently against the rules along with singing, dancing and having too many friends and family around for a barbecue," he said.

"Thanks to the pandemic, we're now told to form orderly and socially distanced queues - as if we were English."

Mr Abbott is worried Australian customs will be eroded over time and it's because of each state and territory doing their utmost to protect their citizens.

"It takes a fair dose of virus hysteria and health despotism for Australians to be barred from Victoria without first getting a visa and barred altogether from Western Australia due to just a few cases of disease with an infection fatality rate for people under 50 of less than one in 5,000," he said.

The former Liberal leader hopes the current government will prioritise national security, economic prosperity and social cohesion as we come out of the pandemic.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia