CANBERRA, Australia \u2014 An Australian court on Tuesday rejected a challenge to the federal government\u2019s draconian power to prevent most citizens from leaving the country so that they don\u2019t bring COVID-19 home.<\/p>\n
Australia is alone among developed democracies in preventing its citizens and permanent residents from leaving the country except in \u201cexceptional circumstances\u201d where they can demonstrate a \u201ccompelling reason.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most Australians have been stranded in their island nation since March 2020 under a government emergency order made under the powerful Biosecurity Act.<\/p>\n
Libertarian group LibertyWorks argued before the full bench of the federal court in early May that Health Minister Greg Hunt did not have the power to legally enforce the travel ban that has prevented thousands of Australians from attending weddings and funerals, caring for dying relatives and meeting newborn babies.<\/p>\n