An Australian court has rejected a challenge to the federal government's
draconian power to prevent most citizens from leaving the country so that
they don't bring COVID-19 home.

Australia is alone among developed democracies in preventing its citizens and
permanent residents from leaving the country except in ``exceptional
circumstances'' where they can demonstrate a ``compelling reason.''

Most Australians have been stranded in the nation since March 2020 under a
government emergency order made under the powerful Biosecurity Act.

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.

Its lawyer argues that Australians have a right to leave their country under
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Australia had
ratified.

However, the three judges ruled that submission was based on the ``erroneous
premise that the right is absolute.''

LibertyWorks is considering an appeal to the High Court.