Perhaps I can provide some important context here.

I'm an Australian who's actually been through the Howard Springs quarantine facility, with my family, as a requirement to travelling interstate there.

First of all, the people who are there knew before travelling that this was part of the deal for keeping covid out of the NT.

Secondly, the Aboriginal communities in that area are considered some of the most vulnerable based on existing health standards and below-par vaccination rates.

Thirdly, the facilities really aren't that bad with decent wifi, private modern facilities and even a 50m swimming pool.

Lastly, as a broad rationale for Australia's strict approach to all of this:

US covid deaths per million: 2,365.98

AU covid deaths per million: 79.28