crikey--2020-07-20--Jobs for the boys: how much of Abbott’s government is still on the public payroll?

All governments appoint former members to diplomatic roles and boards , but this government treated public office as a retirement @ @ @ @ @ % of Abbott-era Coalition MPs ended up with taxpayer-funded positions after leaving politics or losing @ @ @ @ @ analysis shows .
This reveals the extent to which the government has used public office @ @ @ @ @ compensation .
Of more than 120 Coalition MPs and senators elected or serving in the @ @ @ @ @ since left politics -- either by losing their seat , losing preselection or retiring ( @ @ @ @ @ away in 2015 ) .
Of those , 26 were able to secure a new @ @ @ @ @ taxpayers .
Seven of these 26 landed diplomatic positions : Joe Hockey and Arthur Sinodinos @ @ @ @ @ , George Brandis was appointed high commissioner to the UK , Brett Mason became ambassador @ @ @ @ @ Bushby is Australia 's consulate-general in Chicago , Sharman Stone is Australia 's ambassador for @ @ @ @ @ Mitch Fifield is a UN ambassador .

More than 40% of Abbott-era Coalition MPs ended up with taxpayer-funded positions after leaving politics or losing their seats, an Inq analysis shows. This reveals the extent to which the government has used public office as a retirement gift or compensation.
Of more than 120 Coalition MPs and senators elected or serving in the 44th Parliament, 57 have since left politics — either by losing their seat, losing preselection or retiring (WA MP Don Randall passed away in 2015). Of those, 26 were able to secure a new job at the expense of taxpayers.


crikey--2020-07-20--How good is our contact tracing? It would be nice to know

The contact tracing hit-rate has been terrible in the US and UK .
Is it any better in Victoria and @ @ @ @ @ close contacts of COVID-19 carriers in Victoria and NSW are notified by government tracing teams @ @ @ @ @ self-evident -- all of them -- but if the experience of other countries is anything @ @ @ @ @ close contacts may be falling through the gaps of the tracing system .
In England @ @ @ @ @ referred to National Health Service ( NHS ) tracers can not be reached due to @ @ @ @ @ and incorrect contact details .
Of referrals who are successfully interviewed , around a third @ @ @ @ @ provide to tracers are also proving impossible to find .

How many known close contacts of COVID-19 carriers in Victoria and NSW are notified by government tracing teams?
The answer may seem self-evident — all of them — but if the experience of other countries is anything to go by, many close contacts may be falling through the gaps of the tracing system.
In England, a quarter of people referred to National Health Service (NHS) tracers cannot be reached due to a combination of unanswered calls and incorrect contact details. Of referrals who are successfully interviewed, around a third of the close contacts they provide to tracers are also proving impossible to find.


crikey--2020-07-20--Can anything slow down the politics gravy train?

More than 40 % of the Abbott-era MPs who left politics or lost their seat were appointed to government jobs @ @ @ @ @ they are giving favours to their friends.
” That 's how Monash University senior law @ @ @ @ @ the revelation than 40 % of the Abbott-era MPs who left politics were appointed to @ @ @ @ @ a surprisingly high figure that reflects a lack of integrity in the application process , @ @ @ @ @ raises questions about whether favouritism or cronyism was behind the appointments .

“It basically means they are giving favours to their friends.”
That’s how Monash University senior law lecturer Dr Yee-Fui Ng describes the revelation than 40% of the Abbott-era MPs who left politics were appointed to government jobs.
It’s a surprisingly high figure that reflects a lack of integrity in the application process, she told Inq, and raises questions about whether favouritism or cronyism was behind the appointments.


crikey--2020-07-21--A guide to how (and when) the governor-general terminates an Order of Australia honour

The governor-general has enormous scope for stripping Order of Australia honours .
So when should he ?
And perhaps more @ @ @ @ @ he ?
Dyson Heydon , Bettina Arndt , George Pell .
The list of Order @ @ @ @ @ cloud has been banking up with no resolution in sight .
Given that the power @ @ @ @ @ whole governments has been in the news of late , Inq is taking a case @ @ @ @ @ powers exist to cancel an Order of Australia .
Governor-General David Hurley has wide discretion @ @ @ @ @ fear of it being challenged in the courts .
There 's just one catch : @ @ @ @ @ on people with powerful friends in conservative politics .

Dyson Heydon, Bettina Arndt, George Pell. The list of Order of Australia luminaries under a cloud has been banking up with no resolution in sight.
Given that the power of the governor-general to terminate whole governments has been in the news of late, Inq is taking a case by case look at what powers exist to cancel an Order of Australia.


crikey--2020-07-20--There’s one word to describe China’s systematic persecution of Uyghurs: genocide

Beijing 's well-documented abuse of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities has one goal : to destroy entire cultures .
Following @ @ @ @ @ implement harsh national security legislation in Hong Kong , critics of China ’ s ruling @ @ @ @ @ -- have stepped up pressure over its egregious human rights abuses of about 10 million @ @ @ @ @ province .
Beijing ’ s point-blank denial of well-verified concentrations camps , which hold more @ @ @ @ @ and serial inhumane treatment of Uyghurs inside and outside the camps -- including torture and @ @ @ @ @ control -- was laid bare in a train-wreck BBC interview with China ’ s UK @ @ @ @ @ was shown a video of several hundred handcuffed and blindfolded detainees at a train station @ @ @ @ @ was uploaded to YouTube and has been verified as being filmed on or around August @ @ @ @

Following Beijing’s move to implement harsh national security legislation in Hong Kong, critics of China’s ruling Communist Party — including Australia — have stepped up pressure over its egregious human rights abuses of about 10 million ethnic minority Uyghurs in Xinjiang province.
Beijing’s point-blank denial of well-verified concentrations camps, which hold more than 1 million people, and serial inhumane treatment of Uyghurs inside and outside the camps — including torture and various measures of forced birth control — was laid bare in a train-wreck BBC interview with China’s UK ambassador Liu Xiaoming.
Liu was shown a video of several hundred handcuffed and blindfolded detainees at a train station in Xinjiang. The video was uploaded to YouTube and has been verified as being filmed on or around August 18, 2018.


crikey--2020-07-21--Government moralising delayed help for the economy, but we finally got there

The government has sensibly extended JobKeeper but it 's been guided by ideology in curbing payments for Australia 's army @ @ @ @ @ inexplicable wait that has allowed worries about a `` fiscal cliff '' to undermine business @ @ @ @ @ government has belatedly unveiled its plans for JobKeeper and JobSeeker as the Victorian outbreak continues @ @ @ @ @ to regain even a fraction of the massive losses of March and April .
The @ @ @ @ @ , continue JobKeeper until March -- subject to an updated revenue test and tapered payments @ @ @ @ @ is crucial to keeping what is passing for the economic recovery going .
Fewer businesses @ @ @ @ @ that those outside Victoria are emerging from lockdown , but it will still be invaluable @ @ @ @ @ of people in jobs and keeping businesses that will be viable in a post-lockdown world @ @

After an inexplicable wait that has allowed worries about a “fiscal cliff” to undermine business and consumer confidence, the government has belatedly unveiled its plans for JobKeeper and JobSeeker as the Victorian outbreak continues and the employment market struggles to regain even a fraction of the massive losses of March and April.
The government will, as expected, continue JobKeeper until March — subject to an updated revenue test and tapered payments — in a move that is crucial to keeping what is passing for the economic recovery going.
Fewer businesses will qualify for assistance given that those outside Victoria are emerging from lockdown, but it will still be invaluable in keeping hundreds of thousands of people in jobs and keeping businesses that will be viable in a post-lockdown world going.


crikey--2020-07-21--Gamekeeper turns poacher: Joe Hockey cherrypicks our diplomatic talent for his lobbying shop

Not only has our former treasurer turned an ambassadorial stint into a new role as a lobbyist , he 's @ @ @ @ @ .
At what point does taxpayers ' support for Joe Hockey end ?
The former @ @ @ @ @ his time as ambassador to Washington via his new venture as a DC lobbyist .
@ @ @ @ @ Rear Window team has kept an eye on Hockey 's new firm Bondi Partners ( @ @ @ @ @ business '' by Hockey ) .
Today Joe Aston reported that Hockey has succeeded in @ @ @ @ @ Consul-General Chelsey Martin to join a number of former advisers and embassy staff .
Now @ @ @ @ @ Hockey 's time as treasurer ( although we think what he likely regards as his @ @ @ @ @ deficit spending -- was actually important in keeping the economy going through the miserable Abbott @ @ @

At what point does taxpayers’ support for Joe Hockey end? The former treasurer continues to benefit from his time as ambassador to Washington via his new venture as a DC lobbyist.
The Australian Financial Review’s Rear Window team has kept an eye on Hockey’s new firm Bondi Partners (pitched as a “small business” by Hockey). Today Joe Aston reported that Hockey has succeeded in luring Australia’s Los Angeles Consul-General Chelsey Martin to join a number of former advisers and embassy staff.
Now Crikey was highly critical of Hockey’s time as treasurer (although we think what he likely regards as his biggest failure — continuing massive deficit spending — was actually important in keeping the economy going through the miserable Abbott years).


crikey--2020-07-21--Could COVID-19 be the start of a positive revolution in everyday life?

If and when there is a successful vaccine , will our lifestyles simply revert to pre-pandemic , or will society @ @ @ @ @ Rejoice !
There 's a vaccine !
An experimental version has produced a strong positive @ @ @ @ @ a therapeutic version available by September !
Ha ha .
No we wo n't .
@ @ @ @ @ vaccine being trialled by Oxford 's Jenner Institute used several thousand non-COVID-positive volunteers and to @ @ @ @ @ article on the Lancet write-up of the study : The effect of the vaccine was @ @ @ @ @ antibodies and T-cells it generates in the blood of the volunteers -- not in any @ @ @ @ @ .

Keep reading about the next revolution
Become a subscriber to get full access to the website, as well as our premium newsletters.


crikey--2020-07-21--Australia’s budget surplus obsession has gone too far

Australian politics ' fetishisation of the budget surplus does nothing but make treasurer after treasurer look like an idiot .
@ @ @ @ @ s treasurer from 1996 to 2007 , ran surpluses for a decade and paid off @ @ @ @ @ debt .
An impressive achievement to be sure .
But thereafter the budget balance became @ @ @ @ @ an absurd degree .
It wasn ’ t always like this .
Once upon a @ @ @ @ @ policy as much as balance .

Post-Costello Australia has been absolutely surplus mad. Frothing.
Peter Costello, Australia’s treasurer from 1996 to 2007, ran surpluses for a decade and paid off the Commonwealth government’s debt. An impressive achievement to be sure. But thereafter the budget balance became a totem, fetishised to an absurd degree.
It wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time budgets were about economic policy as much as balance.


crikey--2020-07-21--One person’s face mask is another’s face covering — the double standard is irrational

Victoria 's decision to make face masks mandatory has , for some , been a declaration of war .
But @ @ @ @ @ or bigotry ?
You might think a face covering is just a mask , but @ @ @ @ @ human right .
Or not .
It depends on who ’ s wearing it .
@ @ @ @ @ to explain .
From Thursday , Melbourne ’ s population will be the first Australians @ @ @ @ @ Spanish Flu required by law to wear a face mask .
The response of most @ @ @ @ @ for every other COVID-19 measure : unenthusiastic but willing compliance .

You might think a face covering is just a mask, but it is in fact a human right. Or not. It depends on who’s wearing it. Or not.
Allow me to explain.
From Thursday, Melbourne’s population will be the first Australians since the time of the Spanish Flu required by law to wear a face mask. The response of most will be the same as for every other COVID-19 measure: unenthusiastic but willing compliance.


crikey--2020-07-22--Conflict of Interest: Will environmental protections be kept out of states’ hands?

State governments have a history of rolling over to powerful developers ' demands , often turning a blind eye to @ @ @ @ @ territories are notoriously conflicted when it comes to protecting the environment .
And this week @ @ @ @ @ up Australia ’ s environmental laws has left conservation groups worried states will still be @ @ @ @ @ controversial project goes ahead .
A major review into environmental protection laws by former Australian @ @ @ @ @ ACCC ) chair Graeme Samuel has found Australia ’ s natural environment was in an @ @ @ @ @ under increasing threat .

States and territories are notoriously conflicted when it comes to protecting the environment.
And this week’s move to shake up Australia’s environmental laws has left conservation groups worried states will still be able to decide whether a controversial project goes ahead.
A major review into environmental protection laws by former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chair Graeme Samuel has found Australia’s natural environment was in an overall state of decline and under increasing threat.


crikey--2020-07-22--Forget the big V: the federal government will dominate the economy for a long time to come

This is no blip .
There will be no 'snap back ' .
And the fiscal fire brigade is spraying @ @ @ @ @ a flooded dam , not a fire hose .
Yesterday ’ s unveiling of another @ @ @ @ @ support for the December 2020 and March 2021 quarters is sound policy .
But in @ @ @ @ @ or a remarkable turnaround in which Australia achieves New Zealand-style elimination and can resume normal @ @ @ @ @ , the extensions push off into 2021 any kind of return to economic normality .
@ @ @ @ @ in which the government is not central to economic growth and job creation .

Yesterday’s unveiling of another $20 billion in income support for the December 2020 and March 2021 quarters is sound policy.
But in the absence of a vaccine or a remarkable turnaround in which Australia achieves New Zealand-style elimination and can resume normal economic life within closed borders, the extensions push off into 2021 any kind of return to economic normality.
That is, a world in which the government is not central to economic growth and job creation.


crikey--2020-07-21--COVID-19 pronouncements should be taken with a grain of salt

Health officials and politicians have offered contradictory and often misleading information at a time when the public needs the plain @ @ @ @ @ no surprise that faith in our politicians and institutions remains low given the contradictory and @ @ @ @ @ .
Two days ago it was widely reported that Dr Nick Coatsworth , Australia ’ @ @ @ @ @ , had said Victoria 's intensive care capacity was at 82 % and COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ intensive care patients .
This was despite 31 people currently being in intensive care in @ @ @ @ @ Based on this ominous warning , Victoria would have only 400 intensive care beds in @ @

It’s no surprise that faith in our politicians and institutions remains low given the contradictory and misleading comments so regularly espoused.
Two days ago it was widely reported that Dr Nick Coatsworth, Australia’s deputy chief medical officer, had said Victoria’s intensive care capacity was at 82% and COVID-19 cases accounted for one in 10 intensive care patients.
This was despite 31 people currently being in intensive care in Victoria due to COVID-19. Based on this ominous warning, Victoria would have only 400 intensive care beds in total.


crikey--2020-07-22--The ugly truth is that the numbers matter — and we are not getting them right

Australia is fighting blindfolded through a recession because the government refuses to measure and publish the figures that matter the @ @ @ @ @ mathematician Paul Erdős , are beautiful .
But when it comes to coronavirus , they @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s true whether we ’ re talking about the rate of infection @ @ @ @ @ size of the economic slump , which has required economists to redraw their graphs to @ @ @ @ @ the right numbers to the right people at the right time is critical .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ a generation , Australia is fighting blindfolded because we ’ re not measuring and publishing @ @ @ @ @ .

Numbers, said mathematician Paul Erdős, are beautiful. But when it comes to coronavirus, they’re also downright ugly.
That’s true whether we’re talking about the rate of infection of the virus or the size of the economic slump, which has required economists to redraw their graphs to accommodate the drop. Getting the right numbers to the right people at the right time is critical.
Yet amid the first recession in a generation, Australia is fighting blindfolded because we’re not measuring and publishing the things that matter most.


crikey--2020-07-22--On the Frontline: Hotel quarantine mistakes being repeated in childcare clusters

Parents caught in the middle of Victoria 's childcare centre virus cluster say they 're seeing the government 's mistakes repeated .
Nearly a week after a coronavirus case was detected at Clever Kids Childcare in Ashburton in Melbourne ’ s south east , and several days after it was declared a cluster , Victoria ’ s Department of Health and Human Services ( DHHS ) has yet to provide correct information to families and close contacts .
Crikey understands the cluster has since grown to more than 20 .
A parent with children at Clever Kids Childcare spoke to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have two children at the centre — an 18-month-old and a three-year-old .
On Thursday morning , we had a call from the manager saying there was a positive coronavirus case .
We then got a follow-up email .
On Saturday the cluster of five cases was announced by the DHHS .
The centre forwarded everyone an email around midnight with a copy of the letter from DHHS saying families should get tested , so by Sunday a lot of families had — us included .
The email said , “ The department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help you navigate this process , ” but it hasn ’ t been .
The only regular communications have been from the centre manager and nothing at all from DHHS .
The SMS from the DHHS to my partner came last night around 9 .
It was just a link to a page on Whispir [ a messaging platform contracted by the DHHS ] .
It stated [ our 18-month-old ] was in close contact with someone and he needed to isolate until today , which contradicts advice from the centre manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 29th .
The SMS was only for one of our boys .
We ’ re still waiting for information on the other one .
My partner just had a call from the DHHS , because in a form last night she commented the date was wrong .
The person on the phone had no idea what had happened .
It seems like they ’ re making the same mistakes as the hotel quarantine .
There ’ s contradicting information about what [ those in close contact ] need to do , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for exercise .
We ’ re taking advice from the website , but the DHHS fact sheet says different things .
We called the DHHS .
It said just look at the website but it ’ s hard to understand , even though we ’ re both university-educated .
The issue is that the contract tracing needs to happen quickly ; it ’ s not much use if it ’ s a week out of date .
I have three big questions .
Is the delay in contact tracing and testing widespread ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily reporting ?
And why are we getting daily updates only from the centre manager ?
I ’ m sure there are lots of hard-working people [ at the DHHS ] but if the technical systems don ’ t support those people it ’ s not much use .
The staff have been great , but our other concern is around people pulling out of childcare and whether that will impact the centre ’ s viability .
The DHHS did not respond to Crikey ‘ s questions .

Nearly a week after a coronavirus case was detected at Clever Kids Childcare in Ashburton in Melbourne’s south east, and several days after it was declared a cluster, Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) hadn’t provided correct information to families and close contacts. The cluster has since grown to more than 21.
A parent with children at Clever Kids Childcare spoke to Crikey’s Amber Schultz.
We have two children at the centre. On Thursday morning, we had a call from the manager saying there was a positive coronavirus case. We then got a follow-up email.


crikey--2020-07-23--Phil Gaetjens’ admissions are shocking. But his role has always been conflicted

The PM & C secretary did n't investigate Bridget McKenzie 's legal authority in the sports rorts scandal .
But @ @ @ @ @ given there 's no notion of independence in his role .
There were extraordinary scenes @ @ @ @ @ public service boss Phil Gaetjens admitted his probe into the sports rorts affair did not @ @ @ @ @ had the legal authority to hand out $ 100 million in grants .
As Crikey @ @ @ @ @ is Australia ’ s most powerful public servant and as Department of Prime Minister and @ @ @ @ @ ) secretary , is the very custodian of the integrity of the Australian public service @ @ @ @ @ is also in the hands of one man , Prime Minister Scott Morrison .

There were extraordinary scenes in the Senate yesterday when public service boss Phil Gaetjens admitted his probe into the sports rorts affair did not investigate whether Senator Bridget McKenzie had the legal authority to hand out $100 million in grants.
As Crikey has pointed out, Gaetjens is Australia’s most powerful public servant and as Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) secretary, is the very custodian of the integrity of the Australian public service.
But his employment status is also in the hands of one man, Prime Minister Scott Morrison.


crikey--2020-07-24--The humanitarian hole: Australia’s foreign aid cuts see disease increase abroad

Australia 's aid budget has been declining for years .
Now , the COVID-19 pandemic has left our Pacific neighbours @ @ @ @ @ of collapse , and the fallout could be massive .
This is part one in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s international humanitarian response to the pandemic .
When COVID-19 struck , Australia quickly @ @ @ @ @ , redirecting $ 280 million to assist its Indo-Pacific neighbours -- some of whom were @ @ @ @ @ world .
But the money has come from already cash-strapped programs .
No new cash @ @ @ @

This is part one in a two-part series on Australia’s international humanitarian response to the pandemic.
When COVID-19 struck, Australia quickly restructured its foreign aid budget, redirecting $280 million to assist its Indo-Pacific neighbours — some of whom were the least pandemic-prepared in the world.
But the money has come from already cash-strapped programs. No new cash has been pledged.


crikey--2020-07-23--Reef sceptic proves a poor poster boy for intellectual martyrdom

A decision by the Full Federal Court has reaffirmed the rights of employers to visit consequences on those who too viciously bite the hand that feeds them .
Professor Peter Ridd once published a book titled Input admittance of a horizontal antenna over a two layered lossy halfspace , so he ’ s , you know , a funny guy .
That may be why his former employer , James Cook University ( JCU ) , had to specifically direct him to cease “ trivialising , satirising or parodying ” the University .
His refusal to do so was one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following a lengthy disciplinary process , in 2018 .
Famously , Ridd won his case for unfair dismissal .
Judge Salvatore Vasta of the Federal Circuit Court ordered JCU to pay him some $ 1.2 million in damages for treating him so shabbily , after proceedings in which Ridd was supported by the Institute of Public Affairs ( IPA ) and a GoFundMe campaign .
His victory was held up as a seminal moment for the cause of free speech and , specifically , intellectual freedom .
Sadly , the Full Federal Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unanimously overturning the Vasta decision on appeal and giving JCU a comprehensive win instead .

Professor Peter Ridd once published a book titled Input admittance of a horizontal antenna over a two layered lossy halfspace, so he’s, you know, a funny guy. That may be why his former employer, James Cook University (JCU), had to specifically direct him to cease “trivialising, satirising or parodying” the University. His refusal to do so was one of the grounds for his sacking, following a lengthy disciplinary process, in 2018.
Famously, Ridd won his case for unfair dismissal. Judge Salvatore Vasta of the Federal Circuit Court ordered JCU to pay him some $1.2 million in damages for treating him so shabbily, after proceedings in which Ridd was supported by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) and a GoFundMe campaign. His victory was held up as a seminal moment for the cause of free speech and, specifically, intellectual freedom.
Sadly, the Full Federal Court has chosen to spoil the freedom party, unanimously overturning the Vasta decision on appeal and giving JCU a comprehensive win instead.


crikey--2020-07-24--Profitless in the desert: John Kerr and the Australia he made

John Kerr was more than a top-hatted buffoon — he represented all the absurdity and squalor of Australia and the 20th century .
Someday I will tell you about my past involvements in both sides , Sir John Kerr writes of left and right politics in one of his absurd , toe-curling letters to a Buckingham Palace private secretary who could not care less .
It was a strange place for a strange man to wind up .
From the start , he had been seen by his friends as a man who might do great things .
John Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father a worker and radical unionist at the Eveleigh railways works ( now a failed arts venue -- symbolism will never be far away in this story ) .
He gained a scholarship to Fort Street High , the Sydney selective high school , and then another one to Sydney University in 1932 , having topped the year .
There he impressed everyone with his intellect , his drive , his force of character .
He was the man who had read everything , particularly in sociology and history ; Marx , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hegel , Pareto , the works .

Someday I will tell you about my past involvements in both sides, Sir John Kerr writes of left and right politics in one of his absurd, toe-curling letters to a Buckingham Palace private secretary who could not care less.
It was a strange place for a strange man to wind up. From the start, he had been seen by his friends as a man who might do great things. John Robert Kerr had been born in Balmain, his father a worker and radical unionist at the Eveleigh railways works (now a failed arts venue — symbolism will never be far away in this story).
He gained a scholarship to Fort Street High, the Sydney selective high school, and then another one to Sydney University in 1932, having topped the year. There he impressed everyone with his intellect, his drive, his force of character. He was the man who had read everything, particularly in sociology and history; Marx, Lenin, Nietzsche, Spengler, Sorel, Hegel, Pareto, the works.


crikey--2020-07-24--Three words to save Victoria — test, test and test

As Victoria withers under a second lockdown , the answer may have been under Dan Andrews ' nose the whole @ @ @ @ @ the US to not predict the September 11 terrorist attacks has been described as a @ @ @ @ @ a failure of intelligence .
The ongoing COVID-19 disaster in Victoria is arguably a failure @ @ @ @ @ rest of Australia has come close to eliminating the virus , Victoria is reporting upwards @ @ @ @ @ day and will soon become the record holder for the world ’ s longest lockdown @ @ @ @ @ virus is running rampantly through aged care centres and may result in thousands of deaths @

The failure of the US to not predict the September 11 terrorist attacks has been described as a failure of imagination more than a failure of intelligence.
The ongoing COVID-19 disaster in Victoria is arguably a failure of both.
While the rest of Australia has come close to eliminating the virus, Victoria is reporting upwards of 400 new cases each day and will soon become the record holder for the world’s longest lockdown. Even worse, the virus is running rampantly through aged care centres and may result in thousands of deaths.


crikey--2020-07-27--The humanitarian hole: China steps up to fill Australia’s foreign aid shortfall

Australia usually prides itself on its aid in the Pacific .
But the pandemic has put everything on pause .
@ @ @ @ @ a two-part series on Australia ’ s international humanitarian response to the pandemic .
Read @ @ @ @ @ 's international aid efforts are being slashed as a result of the pandemic .
Our @ @ @ @ @ areas .
Cash has been repurposed from existing aid programs , with no new funding @ @ @ @ @ have been cancelled across the Pacific .
Australia has left a hole in international humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ this pandemic .
But , at the same time , China has stepped up .
@ @ @ @ @ with troops , communications , and direct cash grants .

This is part two in a two-part series on Australia’s international humanitarian response to the pandemic. Read part one here.
Australia’s international aid efforts are being slashed as a result of the pandemic. Our troops have withdrawn from war-torn areas. Cash has been repurposed from existing aid programs, with no new funding available. Shortwave radio broadcasts have been cancelled across the Pacific.
Australia has left a hole in international humanitarian aid over the course of this pandemic. But, at the same time, China has stepped up. China has assisted our neighbours with troops, communications, and direct cash grants.


crikey--2020-07-27--Turnbull and Xenophon spar over Huawei

Turnbull and Xenophon spar over Huawei

Malcolm Turnbull has called for Nick Xenophon 's company to register as a lobbying firm , but Xenophon says those @ @ @ @ @ .
Nick Xenophon and Malcolm Turnbull are used to being on the opposite sides of @ @ @ @ @ re now accusing each other of pushing the interests of the world ’ s biggest @ @ @ @ @ Australian senator Xenophon has been representing Chinese firm Huawei since December last year through his @ @ @ @ @ which he runs with former SBS and ABC journalist Mark Davis .
And former PM @ @ @ @ @ board of cyber security firm Kasada , which has been reported as having attracted venture @ @ @ @ @ private equity firm KKR and the US ' Central Intelligence Agency ( CIA ) .
@ @ @ @ @ in the company .

Nick Xenophon and Malcolm Turnbull are used to being on the opposite sides of political arguments. They’re now accusing each other of pushing the interests of the world’s biggest superpowers.
Former independent South Australian senator Xenophon has been representing Chinese firm Huawei since December last year through his law firm Xenophon Davis, which he runs with former SBS and ABC journalist Mark Davis.
And former PM Turnbull has recently joined the board of cyber security firm Kasada, which has been reported as having attracted venture capital from funds associated with private equity firm KKR and the US’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He’s also a shareholder in the company.


crikey--2020-07-27--When Frydenberg talks about Thatcher and Reagan, what does he have in mind?

Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher were avatars of big government , big debt and wage stagnation .
Is that what @ @ @ @ @ Josh Frydenberg invokes Thatcher and Reagan as some sort of template for post-pandemic Australia , @ @ @ @ @ or has in mind something quite different from the government 's professed agenda of jobs @ @ @ @ @ more attention to Reagan 's rhetoric than the historical record .
Despite Reagan 's legendary @ @ @ @ @ size significantly increased on his watch : US government spending increased as a proportion of @ @ @ @ @ under Carter to nearly 38 % under Reagan ( much of it flowing to defence @ @ @ @ @ to GDP soared from below 40 % of GDP to over 50 % .
In @ @ @ @ @ the post-war US tradition that Republican presidents are less fiscally disciplined than their Democratic counterparts @ @ @ @ @ worst of the lot until Trump .
For a `` hate figure of the left @ @ @ @ @ big government .

When Josh Frydenberg invokes Thatcher and Reagan as some sort of template for post-pandemic Australia, he’s either profoundly ignorant or has in mind something quite different from the government’s professed agenda of jobs growth.
Perhaps Frydenberg pays more attention to Reagan’s rhetoric than the historical record. Despite Reagan’s legendary hostility to government, its size significantly increased on his watch: US government spending increased as a proportion of GDP from under 36% under Carter to nearly 38% under Reagan (much of it flowing to defence corporations), and debt to GDP soared from below 40% of GDP to over 50%.
In fact, Reagan perfectly fits the post-war US tradition that Republican presidents are less fiscally disciplined than their Democratic counterparts — though Reagan was the worst of the lot until Trump. For a “hate figure of the left”, Reagan sure loved big government.


crikey--2020-07-26--Fine if you must, but let’s base the amount on the offender’s capacity to pay

A one-size-fits-all policy does not work in a pandemic .
If I selfishly broke lockdown restrictions for some frivolous socialising outside my Melbourne home , I could be slugged with a $ 1652 fine .
I ’ d survive , but the bank balance battering would be a sufficient deterrent even if I wasn ’ t concerned about my community ’ s health .
For poorer people , a financial whack the size of two car registrations could mean forgoing meals or missing rent payments .
But if the now-infamous “ Karen from Brighton ” ( real name Jodi Grollo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ventured out to the Tan , she would pay the exact same amount , despite being the daughter of a pokies billionaire living in one of Melbourne ’ s richest suburbs .
A mild inconvenience perhaps , but this is nothing an heir to a gambling dynasty is likely to sweat over before making irresponsible decisions .
Is this fair ?
Is it even effective ?
Fines issued by state and local governments rarely make front-page news .
But now that the pandemic has necessitated health restrictions that are predominantly being enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth re-examining the efficacy of one-size-fits-all penalties .
Bankrupting for some , loose change for others Victoria Police doled out more than 100 fines a day this weekend and last , with total fines for the pandemic totalling well over $ 10 million in Victoria alone .
Now that masks have been made mandatory in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire , another $ 200 fine for non-compliance has been introduced .
Activists and journalists have noted the disproportionate numbers of pandemic fines issued in multicultural and lower socio-economic communities with the least capacity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued in a transparent and objective manner across all neighbourhoods , the set nominal amount still hits some harder than others .
Poorer individuals either suffer disproportionate hardship , or live in fear of legitimate mistakes on which the rich don ’ t bat an eyelid .
The clear solution is for state governments to make fines relative to the offender ’ s income .
This already happens in multiple European countries and Argentina in relation to speeding and traffic fines , while Finland has pioneered the innovative model of “ day fines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Finn is caught speeding , for example , they are fined an estimate of half their usual spending money per day , for a set number of days depending on the severity of the offence .
The average reckless driver pays approximately €30-50 per day up to a €400-500 total .
But if you ’ re extremely rich , the sums can be eye-watering .
In 2002 , former Nokia director Anssi Vanjoki paid a mammoth €116,000 fine for doing 75km per hour in a 50km zone .
Legal academics have recognised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in deterring both the rich and poor equally from committing crimes .
Conversely , the regressive system dominant in Australia , the US and UK struggles to weigh punishments to individual means .
Some studies show the rich are more likely to break the law while driving as a result .
The ACT investigated the merits of an income-based fine system for traffic and parking offences last year , as proposed by the Greens , but the chief minister found the proposed scheme was “ not practical or feasible ” given the complexity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for varied individual circumstances .
NSW Labor also considered a similar proposal at their state conference and committed to a review .
But both actions came before the pandemic , which has exploded the number and severity of fines as a mechanism for law enforcement .
To ensure health restrictions are enforced equitably and norms are established for future emergencies , progressive reform is worth reconsidering .
The Australia Institute ( TAI ) has long championed the introduction of income-based fine systems and provided reasonable models with implementation .
For instance , TAI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations : There are important questions to ask about the balance between punishment and encouragement during the pandemic ; the goal is to promote broad behavioural change , but we know some people will find it much harder to comply with restrictions than others .
Nonetheless , sanctions for unlawful behaviour are a justifiable tool , provided they operate fairly .
When responding to “ Karen from Brighton ” , Daniel Andrews emphasised that we all must follow the rules , “ whether you live in Broadmeadows or Brighton ” .
If that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Brightonians , maybe they need to feel the same financial stress as those in Broady .

If I selfishly broke lockdown restrictions for some frivolous socialising outside my Melbourne home, I could be slugged with a $1652 fine.
I’d survive, but the bank balance battering would be a sufficient deterrent even if I wasn’t concerned about my community’s health. For poorer people, a financial whack the size of two car registrations could mean forgoing meals or missing rent payments.
But if the now-infamous “Karen from Brighton” (real name Jodi Grollo) decided her restlessness was simply unbearable and ventured out to the Tan, she would pay the exact same amount, despite being the daughter of a pokies billionaire living in one of Melbourne’s richest suburbs.


crikey--2020-07-28--Unnecessary risk and utter confusion at Victorian COVID-19 schools

Teachers , principals and parents are still waiting for instructions on what to do when their students have been exposed @ @ @ @ @ are leaving them in the dark .
Principals have this morning demanded an end to @ @ @ @ @ in the lockdown regions of Melbourne and Mitchell Shire as Victoria ’ s coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ , teachers and parents have told Crikey the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services @ @ @ @ @ rules around communication but are slow to inform families about COVID-19 cases and isolation rules @ @ @ @ @ 10 schools in the state has been shut down , with 58 closed as of @ @ @ @ @ have closed multiple times this year .
Only students completing VCE subjects , and those @ @ @ @ @ attending face-to-face classes .

Principals have this morning demanded an end to face-to-face classes for senior students in the lockdown regions of Melbourne and Mitchell Shire as Victoria’s coronavirus cases reach record highs.
Principals, teachers and parents have told Crikey the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has strict rules around communication but are slow to inform families about COVID-19 cases and isolation rules.


crikey--2020-07-28--We must decide whether COVID-19 can be eradicated in Australia

We ca n't proceed until we have a detailed debate as to whether eradication is even possible in Australia — @ @ @ @ @ willing to take the steps necessary .
Well there is some upside to the clear @ @ @ @ @ across the Western world , and that is that it is steadily , relentlessly hammering @ @ @ @ @ have beaten this , or even come close .
We were always going to have @ @ @ @ @ , and better sooner than later .
Across Europe , areas that believed themselves to @ @ @ @ @ now re-entering lockdown .
Belgium , which has played a useful role as the most @ @ @ @ @ ( its numbers are sky high because it actually counts everyone who died from it @ @ @ @ @ very old and the untreated ) is now going into very-hard lockdown , limiting people @ @ @ @ @ , and in-supermarket shopping to 30 minutes .

Well there is some upside to the clear fact that COVID-19 is returning across the Western world, and that is that it is steadily, relentlessly hammering down our illusion that we have beaten this, or even come close.
We were always going to have to face this full on, and better sooner than later.
Across Europe, areas that believed themselves to have gotten through it are now re-entering lockdown. Belgium, which has played a useful role as the most honest tallier of coronavirus deaths (its numbers are sky high because it actually counts everyone who died from it, rather than excluding the very old and the untreated) is now going into very-hard lockdown, limiting people’s personal contacts to five, and in-supermarket shopping to 30 minutes.


crikey--2020-07-28--Conflict of Interest: Morrison’s COVID Commission just got a whole lot more secretive

The powerful COVID-19 commission has been made even less transparent , in changes that move it to work as an @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s powerful COVID-19 commission , tasked with charting a way @ @ @ @ @ crisis , has been granted a new mandate that will see much of its work @ @ @ @ @ changes announced yesterday , the prime minister said the commission , dominated by company directors @ @ @ @ @ within government ” as an advisory board to cabinet , meaning much of its advice @ @ @ @ @ rules .
Senator Rex Patrick described the changes as “ deeply concerning ” and said @ @ @ @ @ rules by calling on the national cabinet to release the minutes of a May meeting @ @ @ @ @ Act .

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s powerful COVID-19 commission, tasked with charting a way out of the coronavirus economic crisis, has been granted a new mandate that will see much of its work remain a secret.
In changes announced yesterday, the prime minister said the commission, dominated by company directors, would now work “within government” as an advisory board to cabinet, meaning much of its advice would fall under cabinet confidentiality rules.
Senator Rex Patrick described the changes as “deeply concerning” and said he would challenge the new rules by calling on the national cabinet to release the minutes of a May meeting under the Freedom of Information Act.


crikey--2020-07-28--‘The forgotten ones’: older Australians struggle through the pandemic

As we do our best to flatten the curve , we have to make sure the voices of older Australians @ @ @ @ @ older Australians , the pandemic is terrifying .
Despite the warnings sounded in NSW , @ @ @ @ @ the virus has gotten into nursing homes in Victoria , with more than 250 residents @ @ @ @ @ an easy target in the aged care sector , so underfunded and poorly-regulated despite years @ @ @ @ @ and scathing reports .

For older Australians, the pandemic is terrifying.
Despite the warnings sounded in NSW, and around the world, the virus has gotten into nursing homes in Victoria, with more than 250 residents infected.
It’s found an easy target in the aged care sector, so underfunded and poorly-regulated despite years of royal commissions and inquiries and scathing reports.


crikey--2020-07-28--Aged care clusters are a national shame years in the making

The aged care workforce is again at the centre of major problems in that sector .
We 've known about the challenges for years , yet have failed to address them .
It ’ s an awful death too many Australians are facing : losing the battle to breathe against a relentless disease , alone but for medical staff , prevented from seeing and touching family and friends , unable to say farewell .
That ’ s been the fate of 71 people so far in aged care facilities , and likely many more before the Victorian outbreak is finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that represents over 40 % of Australia ’ s COVID-19 death toll .
The outbreaks in more than half-a-dozen aged care facilities in suburban Melbourne involving nearly 700 patients come months after the deadly Newmarch House outbreak in Sydney that claimed 19 lives despite lockdowns of facilities .
The failure of Newmarch House managers to send ill residents to hospital has been raised as a key reason why the outbreak was so much deadlier there than in other facilities .
The families of victims also complained they were banned from removing their ailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus in Victoria is on aged care staff working at multiple facilities spreading the virus .
Last week , Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck announced a funding package to enable operators to pay staff to work at single sites , and said the Victorian industry had begun “ an urgent process to ensure aged care workers work in a single aged care facility where possible ” .
“ The industry will commence a cooperative process to identify existing workforce sharing and negotiate safer arrangements across the sector to minimise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care.
” But one industry peak body claimed 20-30 % of the aged care workforce work in more than one facility .
For a sector employing around a quarter of a million people across Australia , that ’ s at least 50,000 people nation-wide .
Industry sources are telling the media they remain unclear about exactly how the scheme to end multiple work environments will work , while Colbeck is adamant that no worker should be working at more than one site now .
If the 20-30 % figure is correct , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , when a Department of Health study of the aged care workforce identified 10 % of the workforce as holding more than one job .
Notably , for around half of those who had more than one job , their other job wasn ’ t in residential care — it was in community care or outside the sector altogether , meaning the challenge for the industry isn ’ t merely consolidation of existing positions .
This is a heavily part-time workforce — in 2010 , more than 90 % of aged care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or casual ; even 80 % of nurses were part-time or casual , reflecting the heavily female composition of the industry .
At least one of the sites of the current outbreaks has serious questions over its compliance with standards , and has been evacuated , as have others , but workers brought in by the federal government were also apparently unqualified .
That is , once again the aged care workforce is at the centre of major concerns about the failings of the aged care system .
The workforce is a recurring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been held into aged care over the last 20 years and more , including the horrific interim report from late last year of the aged care royal commission currently underway .
The issue has not been the lack of funding being pumped into aged care — that has expanded significantly , and gone into both residential care and home care .
But private providers have been the main beneficiaries of that increased funding , and have increased their role in the sector at the expense of facilities run by religious groups .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council , which has been up and running for over a year , and a two-year-old workforce strategy .
The strategy identifies many of the issues also identified in the interim report around the aged care workforce , including high turnover , “ poor employee engagement and enablement ” , difficulty in attracting talent ( a huge problem for regional aged care facilities ) and “ key capability gaps and skills and competencies misalignment ” .
It also identifies “ casualisation of the workforce ” as a problem .
The challenge of improving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a better fit for the kind of care that we want for our seniors has been known about for many years , and government processes have been under way for the last couple .
But now seniors in Victoria face having to pay the highest price for our failure to get it right .
And minister Richard Colbeck is insisting major reforms happen , literally , yesterday .
This isn ’ t a problem so much of funding , or even of non-profit versus private providers : it ’ s a complex policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training system , service provision , consumer empowerment and aged care funding mechanisms so that the sector can attract and retain people with the right competencies .
It ’ s a national scandal that we have known about the challenge for so long but have failed to respond to it , and it ’ s one we all share the blame for , not just one government or one provider .
How can we improve the aged care system ?
Let us know your thoughts by writing to [ email protected ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered for publication in Crikey ’ s Your Say column .

It’s an awful death too many Australians are facing: losing the battle to breathe against a relentless disease, alone but for medical staff, prevented from seeing and touching family and friends, unable to say farewell.
That’s been the fate of 71 people so far in aged care facilities, and likely many more before the Victorian outbreak is finally suppressed. It’s a number that represents over 40% of Australia’s COVID-19 death toll.
The outbreaks in more than half-a-dozen aged care facilities in suburban Melbourne involving nearly 700 patients come months after the deadly Newmarch House outbreak in Sydney that claimed 19 lives despite lockdowns of facilities.


crikey--2020-07-28--Mishandling of SA’s comedy of errors results in a full-blown rorts investigation

Handled well , the scandal could have been knocked on the head .
But avoidance tactics and rumours led to @ @ @ @ @ down three MPs .
You know how a small tickle in the throat can rapidly @ @ @ @ @ respirator-assisted hospital stay in these medically challenging times ?
The same thing happens in politics @ @ @ @ @ South Australia .
This outbreak of scandal began in June with the publication of an @ @ @ @ @ s Patrick Martin and Nick Harmsen into the living arrangements of state parliamentarian Terry Stephens @ @ @ @ @ Stephens , the president of the Legislative Council , had not paid land tax on @ @ @ @ @ s upscale suburb of Norwood , which is perfectly legal if it ’ s one @ @ @ @ @

You know how a small tickle in the throat can rapidly turn into a full-blown, respirator-assisted hospital stay in these medically challenging times? The same thing happens in politics, even in largely COVID-free South Australia.
This outbreak of scandal began in June with the publication of an investigation by the ABC’s Patrick Martin and Nick Harmsen into the living arrangements of state parliamentarian Terry Stephens.
They published evidence that Stephens, the president of the Legislative Council, had not paid land tax on his property in Adelaide’s upscale suburb of Norwood, which is perfectly legal if it’s one’s primary residence.


crikey--2020-07-29--No surprise about the aged care scandal — it comes after years of warnings

There have been inquiries , reports and commissions for years , all signalling this crisis of the elderly living in @ @ @ @ @ ' .
The surge of COVID-19 cases in Victoria ’ s aged care facilities is @ @ @ @ @ coming .
There are more than 700 cases linked to the sector and nearly half @ @ @ @ @ from the virus are aged care residents .
This comes after years of warnings being @ @ @ @ @ Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety released a damming scathing interim report which @ @ @ @ @ “ left isolated and powerless ” in a “ cruel and harmful system ” .
@ @ @ @ @ the deterioration of the sector , and how did it reach this point ?

The surge of COVID-19 cases in Victoria’s aged care facilities is a crisis many people saw coming. There are more than 700 cases linked to the sector and nearly half the Victorians who have died from the virus are aged care residents.
This comes after years of warnings being sounded. Last year the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety released a damming scathing interim report which said older people had been “left isolated and powerless” in a “cruel and harmful system”.
But who’s responsible for the deterioration of the sector, and how did it reach this point?


crikey--2020-07-29--Aged care crisis shows a disaster waiting in workplace ‘flexibility’

The Coalition wants to allow employers to impose short-hour contracts — precisely the cause of the tragic aged care sector @ @ @ @ @ the government and media outlets to portray the Morrison government as the saviour in Victoria @ @ @ @ @ -- complete with military medical teams -- it is a scandal made in Canberra , @ @ @ @ @ wants to make significantly worse .
The problem of aged care workers working at multiple @ @ @ @ @ of transmission between facilities -- has worsened in recent years as for-profit operators have used @ @ @ @ @ hours .
Aged care is a very different workplace from what many Australians are used @ @ @ @ @ figures only about 12 % of personal care attendants and allied health professionals in the @ @ @ @ @ and only about 22 % of its registered nurses do .
And in 2016 about @ @ @ @ @ workers worked more than one job .

Despite efforts by the government and media outlets to portray the Morrison government as the saviour in Victoria’s aged care crisis — complete with military medical teams — it is a scandal made in Canberra, and one that this government wants to make significantly worse.
The problem of aged care workers working at multiple sites — increasing the risk of transmission between facilities — has worsened in recent years as for-profit operators have used workplace laws to reduce work hours.
Aged care is a very different workplace from what many Australians are used to: according to 2016 figures only about 12% of personal care attendants and allied health professionals in the sector have full-time jobs, and only about 22% of its registered nurses do. And in 2016 about 10% of aged care workers worked more than one job.


crikey--2020-07-29--Look west to see your future — WA’s ‘new normal’ is going to spread

COVID-19 has hurried Australia into an economic hellscape that Western Australia has been fooling around with for at least five @ @ @ @ @ a 19-year-old feral would-be poet writing for the University of Western Australia ’ s student @ @ @ @ @ me a book that remains one of my greatest comic influences .
It was the @ @ @ @ @ something like Hesperia ( Latin for “ land looking west ” and first governor James @ @ @ @ @ for the new colony ) written by a Peppy Grove toff and paid for and @ @ @ @ @ kind of money that is only thrown away by the old style landed gentry .
@ @ @ @ @ nine-year-old ’ s take on a Tom Clancy novel , the book cracked me up @ @ @ @ @ in-depth look at what would happen if Western Australia seceded , replete with scenes of @ @ @ @ @ a hilariously on-the-nose chapter where the CIA tries to sell our protagonist/author-stand-in nukes .

When I was a 19-year-old feral would-be poet writing for the University of Western Australia’s student newspaper, the editor gave me a book that remains one of my greatest comic influences.
It was the self-published speculative fiction novel titled something like Hesperia (Latin for “land looking west” and first governor James Stirling’s placeholder name for the new colony) written by a Peppy Grove toff and paid for and printed in bulk using the kind of money that is only thrown away by the old style landed gentry.
Other than reading like a nine-year-old’s take on a Tom Clancy novel, the book cracked me up because it was a relatively in-depth look at what would happen if Western Australia seceded, replete with scenes of mining barons turned warlords and a hilariously on-the-nose chapter where the CIA tries to sell our protagonist/author-stand-in nukes.


crikey--2020-07-29--Can nothing keep a bad man down? Virulent Mr Palmer just keeps on coming

Whether he 's interfering in state politics or dismissing the pandemic as a media 'beat-up ' , Clive Palmer is on a roll of the worst possible kind .
Clive Palmer is a busy little cockroach these days .
He ’ s currently interfering in not one but two upcoming state elections and mounting a High Court challenge to force open state borders , all while having just been charged with fraud by the corporate regulator .
Oh and he gave an interview last weekend dismissing the whole coronavirus thing as just a “ media beat-up ” .
It seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not when his Queensland Nickel company went bust in 2016 owing up to $ 200 million .
Only last month he won a victory over the liquidators trying to claw back the money after a marathon civil suit , even though the judge found that he was trading while insolvent .
Nor is he even slightly daunted by the eye-watering amounts he spends on fruitless election campaigns .
In the 2019 federal election it was estimated he spent as much as $ 60 million on a record advertising campaign .
The Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount was actually $ 83 million .
And he didn ’ t gain a single seat .
But Labor believes his anti-Shorten blitz helped contribute to the Morrison victory .
He ’ s going to try that strategy again with campaigns from one coast to the other .
He is currently gearing up to try and unseat two Labor premiers in Queensland and WA , who have both put in election spending caps to try and thwart him .
On Monday Palmer called for candidates for his United Australia Party for Queensland ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he doesn ’ t really need to field them given he has plenty of mates running the state Liberal National Party .
The president of the Queensland LNP , one David Hutchinson , was an employee of Palmer when he was reportedly helping plan a coup against the current Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington only last month .
Hutchinson eventually gave up his day job with Palmer .
Not a problem though , as three other senior LNP executives still have links with the mining magnate .
Meanwhile in the west , where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palmer ’ s feud with Labor Premier Mark McGowan is going all the way to the High Court after he was refused entry to the state for “ business and political ” meetings .
The federal government is intervening in support of Palmer ’ s claim that the WA border closure contravenes section 92 of the constitution which should allow “ intercourse ” of people and goods across state lines .
The fact that Palmer ’ s intercourse involved literally screwing the state Labor government politically surely has nothing to do with it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs from WA insist they are not supporting the man , only the principle .
Which is a good job given it was less than two weeks ago that Palmer was charged by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission ( ASIC ) with fraud and dishonest use of his position as a company director .
The fact that the charges directly relate to him allegedly illegally funneling more than $ 12 million into his party ’ s political campaign would give his opponents hope , you might think .
Unfortunately the ASIC charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fought two more federal campaigns and spent over a hundred million dollars since then .
So even though the case is scheduled for August and carries a five-year jail term , he ’ s unlikely to be stomped out any time soon .
He ’ s more virulent than the virus he thinks is harmless .

Clive Palmer is a busy little cockroach these days.
He’s currently interfering in not one but two upcoming state elections and mounting a High Court challenge to force open state borders, all while having just been charged with fraud by the corporate regulator.
Oh and he gave an interview last weekend dismissing the whole coronavirus thing as just a “media beat-up”.


crikey--2020-07-31--Austrade buys into a most undiplomatic mess with CEO’s ‘brutal’ demise

The reasons for Stephanie Fahey 's sudden departure last month are juicy topics among friends and foes .
But according @ @ @ @ @ was left in chaos .
When Austrade ’ s acting chief executive Tim Beresford took @ @ @ @ @ online ) “ town hall ” meeting three weeks ago , the first was whether @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 500 or so staff any further information about why Stephanie Fahey suddenly “ @ @ @ @ @ on June 12 .
He demurred , claiming , in effect , he had been @ @ @ @ @ Not everyone at Austrade believes him .
Fahey -- who was brought in from top @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ( EY ) education division in 2017 to run Australia ’ s government @ @ @ @ @ distinguished academic career -- was the first woman in the role and won the gig @ @ @ @ @ promise to overhaul the fusty bureaucratic agency and drag it into the 21st century .

When Austrade’s acting chief executive Tim Beresford took questions after his first (online) “town hall” meeting three weeks ago, the first was whether he could give the organisation’s 500 or so staff any further information about why Stephanie Fahey suddenly “quit” as chief executive on June 12.
He demurred, claiming, in effect, he had been the last to know. Not everyone at Austrade believes him.
Fahey — who was brought in from top four consultancy Ernst & Young’s (EY) education division in 2017 to run Australia’s government trade marketing arm after a distinguished academic career — was the first woman in the role and won the gig on the back of a promise to overhaul the fusty bureaucratic agency and drag it into the 21st century.


crikey--2020-07-30--Postcard from Melbourne: we are the masked travellers from your future

If those of you outside of Melbourne are n't thinking about the catastrophe ahead , you soon will be .
@ @ @ @ @ from Melbourne has to repeatedly remind themselves that not everyone is living like this .
@ @ @ @ @ and low , a chill is in the air , the cafes on the streets @ @ @ @ @ mask has become utterly normal .
It 's weird .
You could say that you @ @ @ @ @ but it 's more that you do n't see the absence of face .
The @ @ @ @ @ call a transitional object ; there-not-there at the same time , like a toddler 's @ @ @ @ @ both the mother and not-the-mother all at once .

Right now, anyone writing from Melbourne has to repeatedly remind themselves that not everyone is living like this.
The winter skies are grey and low, a chill is in the air, the cafes on the streets remain takeaway depots and the mask has become utterly normal. It’s weird.
You could say that you don’t see it, but it’s more that you don’t see the absence of face. The mask has become what psychoanalysts call a transitional object; there-not-there at the same time, like a toddler’s security blanket, which is both the mother and not-the-mother all at once.


crikey--2020-07-30--Policy on the run and regulation on the fly — what’s the aged care regulator doing?

As recently as the end of June , the aged care regulator was untroubled by staff working across multiple sites @ @ @ @ @ sector is in crisis as deaths and infections soar .
If the Andrews government is @ @ @ @ @ in Victoria , the Morrison government is equally responsible for a full-blown crisis in aged @ @ @ @ @ efforts at misdirection .
And it has even less excuse .
After years of complaints @ @ @ @ @ aged care , the government not merely established a royal commission into the sector but @ @ @ @ @ new approach to regulation , shifting responsibility for aged care accreditation , monitoring and complaints-handling @ @ @ @ @ .
That body , the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission , commenced effective operations @ @ @ @ @ And it seems to have failed in its first major challenge -- ensuring the sector @ @ @ @ @ infection getting into aged care facilities .

If the Andrews government is culpable for the unfolding catastrophe in Victoria, the Morrison government is equally responsible for a full-blown crisis in aged care facilities — despite its efforts at misdirection. And it has even less excuse.
After years of complaints and media exposés of rotten aged care, the government not merely established a royal commission into the sector but in 2018 set up a new approach to regulation, shifting responsibility for aged care accreditation, monitoring and complaints-handling into a new bespoke commission.
That body, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, commenced effective operations in January this year. And it seems to have failed in its first major challenge — ensuring the sector did its utmost to prevent infection getting into aged care facilities.


crikey--2020-07-31--Beware of the Other — a virus that is everywhere, and when it suits, everyone

The pandemic has reinforced a growing enthusiasm for closing borders against external threats — and business is unwilling to provide @ @ @ @ @ .
At the psychological core of society 's response to a pandemic is the Other @ @ @ @ @ infected are Others until they recover , needing isolation and exclusion .
Those who recklessly @ @ @ @ @ risk of infection are Others , in breach of societal norms and deserving of denunciation @ @ @ @ @ people of colour in relation to the disease uses traditional Other stereotypes of non-white people @ @ @ @ @ , in an epidemiological twist on Sartre 's l'enfer , c'est les autres , all @ @ @ @ @ household become Others , to be kept socially distanced , potential sources of plague and @ @ @ @ @ states like Western Australia and Queensland are happy to either keep their borders sealed against @ @ @ @ @ large swathes of the external population , is vexing to the federal government and business @ @ @ @ @

At the psychological core of society’s response to a pandemic is the Other. Multiple Others. The infected are Others until they recover, needing isolation and exclusion. Those who recklessly or even intentionally increase the risk of infection are Others, in breach of societal norms and deserving of denunciation.
The racist demonisation of people of colour in relation to the disease uses traditional Other stereotypes of non-white people as unclean. And ultimately, in an epidemiological twist on Sartre’s l’enfer, c’est les autres, all people other than your own household become Others, to be kept socially distanced, potential sources of plague and death.
That voters in states like Western Australia and Queensland are happy to either keep their borders sealed against interstate travel, or exclude large swathes of the external population, is vexing to the federal government and business who want borders reopened.


crikey--2020-07-31--Gene detectives search for COVID-19 gateway, with men looking like the weaker sex

Around the world , researchers are trying to unlock the secret of how and why COVID-19 is so deadly to @ @ @ @ @ and theresults are already surprising .
Coronavirus has sent young , healthy people to the @ @ @ @ @ , and has claimed the lives of the elderly all the way down to a @ @ @ @ @ at least 10 people aged in their 20s are battling coronavirus in hospital .
Hoping @ @ @ @ @ some people so severely , while others don ’ t show symptoms at all , @ @ @ @ @ sequencing to find out what makes the virus so dangerous .
What are we hoping @ @ @ @ @ COVID Human Genetic Effort , a global research consortium created by US investigators , aims @ @ @ @ @ react to the coronavirus .

Coronavirus has sent young, healthy people to the ICU with severe respiratory infections, and has claimed the lives of the elderly all the way down to a newborn. In Victoria, at least 10 people aged in their 20s are battling coronavirus in hospital.
Hoping to understand why COVID-19 affects some people so severely, while others don’t show symptoms at all, researchers have turned to gene sequencing to find out what makes the virus so dangerous.
What are we hoping to find out?
The COVID Human Genetic Effort, a global research consortium created by US investigators, aims to look at genes that react to the coronavirus.


crikey--2020-07-31--Distant goals, rather than immediate action, means new Closing the Gap is a squib

New targets .
Same old story .
We 're at the point where our failure to Close the Gap has @ @ @ @ @ self-congratulation .
Something needs to change .
Huzzah !
The nation is saved !
Settler @ @ @ @ @ overcome !
Again !
Yes , it 's Closing the Gap time !
Again !
@ @ @ @ @ Gap time .
It 's like Christmas , or the Walkley awards , which now @ @ @ @ @ .
It just keeps coming round and round and round .
For more than a @ @ @ @ @ the annual report on life conditions for Indigenous Australians has been something of a sick @ @ @ @ @ Rudd , it was put in place at the same time Rudd re-affirmed John Howard @ @ @ @ @ thus putting in place a decade and more of white control of Indigenous affairs , @ @ @ @ @ Macklin .

Huzzah! The nation is saved! Settler and Indigenous division has been overcome! Again! Yes, it’s Closing the Gap time! Again! It’s always Closing the Gap time. It’s like Christmas, or the Walkley awards, which now happen eight times a year. It just keeps coming round and round and round.
For more than a decade, the release of the annual report on life conditions for Indigenous Australians has been something of a sick joke.
Inaugurated by Kevin Rudd, it was put in place at the same time Rudd re-affirmed John Howard’s “Intervention”, thus putting in place a decade and more of white control of Indigenous affairs, supervised by one-woman omnishambles Jenny Macklin.


crikey--2020-07-31--Austrade buys into a most undiplomatic mess with CEO’s ‘brutal’ departure


crikey--2020-08-02--COVID’s tail: the new normal may well involve long-term support for sufferers

Evidence is mounting that COVID-19 could leave long-lasting health effects on many sufferers .
How will the government support these 'long-haulers ' post-pandemic ?
As Victoria enters stage four lockdown due to growing case numbers , with workplace transmission a significant factor , Australia is having a long overdue discussion about a pernicious feature of our modern economy — workers “ soldiering on ” while sick .
Increasingly insecure labour contracts , manifesting differently in various critical industries , have left many workers without sick leave and others feeling unable to use their entitlements .
That this paradigm would slowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even before the pandemic .
Governments are finally providing modest support for workers making healthy choices .
Victoria has added a $ 300 payment for those who must stay home while awaiting test results to the existing $ 1500 for those who test positive and have no paid sick leave .
Last Monday , the Fair Work Commission awarded paid pandemic leave to aged care workers .
On Wednesday Scott Morrison directed Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter to discuss a broader paid pandemic leave policy with the union movement , though by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impost on business .
Such reforms are overdue and necessary .
But financially supporting potentially contagious workers to stay home is not enough .
Even after coronavirus patients are no longer infectious , they may still need significant long-term support from their employers and governments .
And with evidence suggesting COVID-19 could leave long-lasting health effects on many sufferers , those of us who have experienced long-term illness know too well that such support will be needed for far longer than the 14-day isolation period .
What it ’ s like for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) .
Born from a rather innocuous bout of glandular fever four years ago , its fluctuating symptoms include severe tiredness , headaches , insomnia and allergies .
Imagine an awful hangover that just won ’ t go away .
At the height of my symptoms , I continued to work while physically ill for 18 months straight .
I was a casual worker at the time , with no access to sick leave .
I wasn ’ t a contagious threat to others , but God did it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardly any worse feeling than trudging to work each morning when every cell in your body is screaming at you to go back to bed .
Medical researchers are increasingly confident that many coronavirus survivors will suffer persistent symptoms that are very similar to CFS .
The only peer-reviewed study of COVID-19 survivors has found over half experienced persistent fatigue months after infection .
Disease expert Paul Garner caught the virus in March and still has “ deeply frustrating ” persistent symptoms .
Survivor support groups on social media call themselves “ long-haulers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused long-term illness and fatigue , including SARS — for which only 14 % of survivors had no long-term symptoms .
If many victims of this nasty disease will be adversely affected for many months , or even years , to come , temporary emergency measures won ’ t cut it .
After sufferers burn through any extra sick leave and pay , our punishingly work-centric economic and social systems will soon make their illness a personal burden to bear .
The Coalition is again voicing interest , as neoliberals have for decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our workplaces .
We should ask , “ flexible for whom ?
” Workers who suffer from long-term illnesses desperately need flexibility at work to accommodate fluctuations in their symptoms and thus their ability to work .
They need the freedom and long-term support to vary their rosters based on their present capacity , to take more breaks , and to vary their tasks so they contribute to the enterprise in a mutually beneficial manner .
Others who are unable to work would appreciate greater flexibility from Centrelink , the National Disability Insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with mutual obligations when they have the capacity to , and to not become tied to arbitrary , unsuitable standards .
I got through the worst period of my illness through the flexibility of my former employer .
My managers supported varying my hours and evening out my workload to prevent burnout .
Without their intervention , I would likely have had to quit and line up at Centrelink .
But I doubt this is the kind of flexibility the Coalition has in mind .
It is most often a flexibility for employers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The flexibility of some to make life more rigid and unaccommodating for others .
The Coalition ’ s preference for more short and zero-hour contracts will not only exacerbate the spread of diseases but also make it harder for long-term sufferers to alter their hours to suit their needs .
And its recent cuts to JobSeeker will diminish the capacity of “ long-haulers ” to take time out of paid employment when they need to .
I applaud state and federal governments for providing more temporary relief for the sick .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufferers to find a sustainable “ COVID normal ” .

As Victoria enters stage four lockdown due to growing case numbers, with workplace transmission a significant factor, Australia is having a long overdue discussion about a pernicious feature of our modern economy — workers “soldiering on” while sick.
Increasingly insecure labour contracts, manifesting differently in various critical industries, have left many workers without sick leave and others feeling unable to use their entitlements. That this paradigm would slowly turn workplaces into petri dishes was likely even before the pandemic.
Governments are finally providing modest support for workers making healthy choices. Victoria has added a $300 payment for those who must stay home while awaiting test results to the existing $1500 for those who test positive and have no paid sick leave.


crikey--2020-08-02--Queensland LNP could learn a thing or two from New Zealand

Kiwi PM Jacinda Ardern is writing the script for how to win an election in the midst of chaos .
But in Queensland , only one side appears to be taking notice .
A political contest playing out over the Tasman provides a tantalising counterfactual to what might have unfolded in Queensland .
Only a month ago , the Queensland LNP twisted itself every which way , leaked against its leader , faced a revolt by old white backroom men and dared to challenge the strutting party president David Hutchinson .
LNP leader Deb Frecklington prevailed and , while Hutchinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary party and organisation remain in an effective stand-off — a political machine at war with itself .
As a result of this internecine strife , the LNP has moved from being the underdog at the October 31 poll to drifting outsider as Labor ’ s Annastacia Palaszczuk rides high on the back of steady , safe , effective handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
It is not hard to see how this thesis has evolved and taken hold in the minds of players and pundits .
It ’ s Maslow ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stupid .
Abraham Maslow ’ s hierarchy is based on the psychologist ’ s 1943 paper on human needs and motivation , where a rising hierarchy is satisfied as each tier is ticked off .
A basic level of need in any political calculus is safety and personal security .
Meeting those fundamental requirements of individual satisfaction allows politicians to then gain permission for other promises and proposals .
Nothing fits Maslow ’ s hierarchy more neatly than giving people safety and security during a global pandemic — protecting them from getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done that and , at the moment , she is being rewarded for it .
A corresponding example of a politician facing election who has also stood up in the challenge of COVID-19 is New Zealand ’ s Jacinda Ardern .
New Zealand Labour ’ s Ardern , a poster progressive leader feted around the democratic world who graced the cover of Time , is taking her minority government to the polls on September 19 against a National opposition which is terrified of defeat and in constant leadership turmoil .
After registering a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months ago , National ditched its leader , Simon Bridges , for an apparent “ winner ” in Todd Muller .
By mid-July , this was seen as a bad move and the opposition party switched again , this time to Judith Collins , portrayed as New Zealand ’ s “ Iron Lady ” .
Now the polls are ringing loudly again and it ’ s gone from a disaster to a wipeout .
A weekend poll put Ardern ’ s Labour Party on an astonishing 61 % — the highest the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 25 % , down five points from the time they first started their game of leadership merry-go-round .
Even more confronting is the net satisfaction rating for Ardern — the Labour leader is on net 77 % ( with an approval number up in the stratosphere , at 85.3 % ) .
Collins has a satisfaction number that ’ s positive — but at plus 8.7 it ’ s more than overshadowed by Ardern .
There are two glaring conclusions from these numbers — which still might be brought back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but look almost unbeatable at the moment .
It ’ s safe to say Ardern is the winning element in Labour ’ s pitch to voters .
They regard her as a safe pair of hands in a time of uncertainty and insecurity and they are more than satisfied with the way she ’ s steered the country through this crisis .
The other stand-out conclusion is that voters do not like instability and infighting , and regard changing leaders twice in just over two months as an exemplar in that .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been plenty of criticisms of Ardern ’ s government — from a failure to present a meaningful economic plan , to myriad broken promises and a distaste for celebrity leadership .
These disparate quibbles with Ardern and her government are taking a backseat to the overriding satisfaction with stable stewardship through the pandemic .
The parallels with what ’ s playing out in Queensland are there and we could only wonder what damage the LNP might have done to itself if they ’ d gone ahead with destroying Frecklington ’ s leadership .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of self-harm with what ’ s a still unresolved bout of internal bickering .
We don ’ t quite know where things stand right now because there is no published polling showing Palaszczuk and Labor with any kind of lead , let alone a commanding one like that seen in New Zealand .
There is every chance — and plenty of anecdotal evidence — the stocks of Palaszczuk and Labor have risen significantly in the last four to six weeks , especially on the back of a strong , unequivocal stand on keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat of a new wave of coronavirus from Victoria and possibly New South Wales .
Palaszczuk will still face a tough election battle , especially in the regions with the presence of not just the LNP but also the right-wing splinter groups ( Pauline Hanson ’ s One Nation , Katter ’ s Australian Party and the remnants of Clive Palmer ) .
However , in the southeast , Palaszczuk could benefit from support on a scale Labor has not seen since the glory days of Peter Beattie .
This would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Labor but put the LNP on the defensive in seats the conservatives would have thought were in the bag .
This election just keeps getting more interesting .
This article was first published on InQueensland .

A political contest playing out over the Tasman provides a tantalising counterfactual to what might have unfolded in Queensland.
Only a month ago, the Queensland LNP twisted itself every which way, leaked against its leader, faced a revolt by old white backroom men and dared to challenge the strutting party president David Hutchinson.
LNP leader Deb Frecklington prevailed and, while Hutchinson lost in his outside-the-tent-putsch move, the parliamentary party and organisation remain in an effective stand-off — a political machine at war with itself.


crikey--2020-08-03--Myths, facts and theories around Victoria’s unknown COVID-19 sources

Many of Victoria 's COVID-19 cases come from unknown sources .
Crikey breaks down some of the likely suspects , @ @ @ @ @ along the way .
There are more than 3000 coronavirus cases in Australia still under @ @ @ @ @ Victoria 's cases coming from unknown sources .
Without knowing the source of the virus @ @ @ @ @ to halt the source of the cluster .
Crikey takes a look at some common @ @ @ @ @ people are picking up COVID-19 infections .
✓ Close contact Chair in Epidemiology at Deakin @ @ @ @ @ Crikey the most likely unknown source was through close contact of an infected person .

There are more than 3000 coronavirus cases in Australia still under investigation, with many of Victoria’s cases coming from unknown sources.
Without knowing the source of the virus, little can be done to halt the source of the cluster. Crikey takes a look at some common myths and theories around where people are picking up COVID-19 infections.
✓ Close contact Chair in Epidemiology at Deakin University Professor Catherine Bennett told Crikey the most likely unknown source was through close contact of an infected person.


crikey--2020-08-03--Feds sniff the western winds and back away from Palmer’s WA border case

The federal government has done a 180 in its support for Clive Palmer 's High Court challenge to WA ’ @ @ @ @ @ The federal government ’ s sudden reversal of its support for Clive Palmer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Australia ’ s border closures was ostensibly related to safety fears and the health of @ @ @ @ @ Morrison ’ s political health was at risk as well .
As the angry backlash @ @ @ @ @ to the rest of the country , the prime minister belatedly realised that Palmer is @ @ @ @ @ virus itself .
He took his time .
All last week Attorney-General Christian Porter was @ @ @ @ @ court case , and on Wednesday the PM ramped up the rhetoric warning that Palmer @ @ @ @ @ ” .

The federal government’s sudden reversal of its support for Clive Palmer’s High Court challenge to West Australia’s border closures was ostensibly related to safety fears and the health of the nation. But Scott Morrison’s political health was at risk as well.
As the angry backlash escaped the borders of WA to the rest of the country, the prime minister belatedly realised that Palmer is almost as toxic as the virus itself.
He took his time. All last week Attorney-General Christian Porter was in the media defending the court case, and on Wednesday the PM ramped up the rhetoric warning that Palmer was “likely to win”.


crikey--2020-08-04--How lethal is COVID-19? And is the stage four cure worse than the disease?

At this point it seems mathematically likely that the lockdown will end up killing more people than it saves ... @ @ @ @ @ the foolishness of your author ’ s earlier hard lockdown approach is becoming clearer .
@ @ @ @ @ Italy and New York provided the world with an inflated sense of the lethality of @ @ @ @ @ very likely mean that the cure will become worse than the proverbial disease .
While @ @ @ @ @ than influenza ( even where social distancing is enforced ) , it appears the virus @ @ @ @ @ most experts , especially the WHO , initially suggested .
Last week , NSW chief @ @ @ @ @ to a blood test study from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance and @ @ @ @ @ University of NSW , which found that between 250,000 and 500,000 Australians may have been @ @ @ @

With every passing day, the foolishness of your author’s earlier hard lockdown approach is becoming clearer. The initial calamities in northern Italy and New York provided the world with an inflated sense of the lethality of COVID-19. This mistake could very likely mean that the cure will become worse than the proverbial disease.
While it is significantly more contagious than influenza (even where social distancing is enforced), it appears the virus is far less lethal than most experts, especially the WHO, initially suggested.
Last week, NSW chief medical officer Kerry Chant referred to a blood test study from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance and the Kirby Institute at the University of NSW, which found that between 250,000 and 500,000 Australians may have been infected by COVID-19.


crikey--2020-08-04--What a second century of US ‘mateship’ might well mean — less bark, more bite

As Australia treads the line between infuriating Beijing and alienating Washington , it 's no longer about just talking the @ @ @ @ @ to walk the walk .
China ’ s rambunctious party tabloid Global Times has long @ @ @ @ @ US attack dog '' barking away at China .
And yet the curious thing about @ @ @ @ @ of the year , that concluded in Washington last week , is how little news @ @ @ @ @ Barely a yap .
There were statements aplenty .
Ahead of the annual Australia-US Ministerial @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne issued a formal statement to the UN outlining Australia ’ @ @ @ @ @ s territorial claims in the South China Sea .
Mainstream media leaped on the statement @ @ @ @ @ Australia ’ s long-standing policy of not taking sides over competing sovereignty claims in the @ @ @ @ @ the move was ‘ likely to infuriate Beijing .
’

China’s rambunctious party tabloid Global Times has long branded Australia a “loyal US attack dog” barking away at China.
And yet the curious thing about the peak US-Australia strategic meeting of the year, that concluded in Washington last week, is how little news came out of it. Barely a yap.
There were statements aplenty. Ahead of the annual Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN), Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne issued a formal statement to the UN outlining Australia’s position on China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. Mainstream media leaped on the statement as signalling a reversal of Australia’s long-standing policy of not taking sides over competing sovereignty claims in the region. The ABC said the move was ‘likely to infuriate Beijing.’


crikey--2020-08-04--Defence spending keeps Canberra and US in step, with or without Trump

Foreign Minister Marise Payne would n't be drawn by her US counterpart on China , but Australia is still very @ @ @ @ @ Americans when it comes to military spending .
Just ask our former defence ministers .
@ @ @ @ @ world needs -- another US secretary of state preaching the virtues of `` freedom '' @ @ @ @ @ of the willing against an authoritarian power .
Fifteen years ago it was Condoleezza Rice @ @ @ @ @ confront Saddam Hussein .
Now it 's Mike Pompeo building the rage against China .
@ @ @ @ @ about picking America versus China .
This is about choosing freedom and democracy against tyranny @ @ @ @ @ regime , '' Pompeo asserted at last week 's AUSMIN consultations in Washington .

Great. Just what the world needs — another US secretary of state preaching the virtues of “freedom” while pressing for a coalition of the willing against an authoritarian power.
Fifteen years ago it was Condoleezza Rice talking up the need to confront Saddam Hussein. Now it’s Mike Pompeo building the rage against China.
“This isn’t about picking America versus China. This is about choosing freedom and democracy against tyranny and [an] authoritarian regime,” Pompeo asserted at last week’s AUSMIN consultations in Washington.


crikey--2020-08-03--Labor says it’s time for the government to own a bank. Hang on, didn’t it sell one?

A slow news day in a pandemic is a great time to trot out the old “ wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ to start a government-owned bank ” story .
What a fabulous concept .
No wonder @ @ @ @ @ Jim Chalmers jumped at the chance to support the union-backed report from the Per Capita @ @ @ @ @ .
Wasn ’ t it Labor which sold the last government-owned bank ?

A slow news day in a pandemic is a great time to trot out the old “wouldn’t it be a good idea to start a government-owned bank” story.
What a fabulous concept. No wonder Labor’s shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers jumped at the chance to support the union-backed report from the Per Capita think tank.
But wait. Wasn’t it Labor which sold the last government-owned bank?


crikey--2020-08-05--Transparency in the time of COVID-19: a short list of what’s going wrong with democracy

This is not the time for our leaders to go all secretive .
Australians need information , and they need it to be timely and honest .
In the rush to deal with a global pandemic , has transparency been thrown out the window ?
Crikey has been tracking the ways in which state and federal governments have failed to uphold basic standards of accountability as they grapple with an unfolding health crisis .
Here ’ s our list so far .
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has refused to answer questions in parliament about how her department has managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found out about problems at quarantine hotels .
Mikakos answered every question by saying she would provide a written response at a later date .
The opposition has called for her resignation , describing the incident as “ contempt of the parliament ” .
Former chief medical officer and now secretary of the Health Department Professor Brendan Murphy refused to release a list of Victorian aged-care facilities with outbreaks of coronavirus .
He told Senate estimates could cause “ reputational damage ” for those involved — an extraordinary claim , especially when The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moguls behind Epping Gardens , the facility at the heart of one of the biggest outbreaks .
The Morrison government has cancelled two weeks of parliament , saying the health risk would be too great .
The decision was widely criticised ; many argued it was undemocratic and could have gone ahead remotely and safely .
The parliament is due to sit next on August 24 .
The government has replaced the old COAG with the national cabinet , but the national cabinet meets far more frequently and documents can remain secret for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written extensively about the risks of this new body to government transparency , which experts say could hinder Australia ’ s democratic process .
Scott Morrison has stacked his national COVID-19 commission with high-powered company directors who are not required to disclose any conflicts of interest , and it ’ s now reclassified as an advisory board to cabinet , meaning it falls under cabinet confidentiality rules .
Victoria has refused to release genomic testing that shows almost all the cases are linked to outbreaks at quarantine hotels .
Its chief medical officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research couldn ’ t be released because of the hotel quarantine inquiry .
But why should the research be considered confidential when it could help explain how things got so bad ?

In the rush to deal with a global pandemic, has transparency been thrown out the window?
Crikey has been tracking the ways in which state and federal governments have failed to uphold basic standards of accountability as they grapple with an unfolding health crisis. Here’s our list so far.
Victorian health minister won’t answer questions in parliament
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has refused to answer questions in parliament about how her department has managed the coronavirus response, including when she found out about problems at quarantine hotels. Mikakos answered every question by saying she would provide a written response at a later date. The opposition has called for her resignation, describing the incident as “contempt of the parliament”.