Australia has an extreme nanny state mentality for a lot of things. The image many have of chill surfer bros who don't play by the rules is no longer accurate (if it ever was) the average Australian is extremely uptight about adhering to rules in general.
There are some advantages to this as a level of competence does filter down to the street level (as a small example having lived in multiple AU cities as well as US cities, far far more people litter in US cities than Australian ones) but it does have negative impacts.
A recent example is the appalling treatment of overseas Australians by their government during Covid where the border was closed and many Australians were effectively barred from returning to their country for over 2 years.
As a Brit living in australia for 10 years, I think relating to Covid people generally just see the greater good and accept. There are vocal groups against lockdowns and a decent chunk of people break rules.
I remember the 2 hour queue for my second jab. Chaos in some ways but people acted superbly well, and the marshall was in awe and excited for me that I was getting shot 2 so soon (compared to other people in australia).
There are some advantages to this as a level of competence does filter down to the street level (as a small example having lived in multiple AU cities as well as US cities, far far more people litter in US cities than Australian ones) but it does have negative impacts.
A recent example is the appalling treatment of overseas Australians by their government during Covid where the border was closed and many Australians were effectively barred from returning to their country for over 2 years.