Take that all with a grain of salt, especially from mainstream media.
Most people are still free to go about their business if it's necessary. Yes, we've had some restrictions, but it's also why our infection and death rate have been so low (along with high vaccination rates).
Things are now starting the open up, people can travel etc.... The technology they are talking about is just one option for people to "report in", when they are subject to home quarantine. I think the alternatives of forced hotel quarantine or police coming checking up on you aren't as ideal. It always makes me laugh when people who post their entire lives, photos, movements and private information on social media have a sook and a whinge about giving limited information to the government for a specific purpose.
I think we got off pretty lightly actually. If you've actually ever been to Australia, you'll know it's among one of the more free and least restrictive countries in the world, not to mention safe.