crikey--2020-05-12--Worm: China's second trade strike

Worm: China's second trade strike

Good morning , early birds .
China has launched a trade investigation into four Australian abattoirs , risking $ 200 million a month in the process , and the Coalition 's JobKeeper scheme is facing pressure from all sides .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
WHEAT , MEAT AND PERHAPS DAIRY AT RISK The dairy industry has called for a snap meeting with the federal government , after China launched a trade investigation into four Australian abattoirs — a move that risks $ 200 million a month and thousands of jobs — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the wheat industry , according to The Age .
While politicians in both countries continue to trade barbs over the push for a coronavirus inquiry , China ’ s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman , Zhao Lijian , claims the restrictions are not retaliatory but due to violations of quarantine and custom standards .
On Friday , China introduced new alloy steel tariffs to the EU and USA , although Australia is the only nation to see two trade threats since the pandemic started .
IT ’ S CUTE WHEN WE DO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to acknowledge that “ Australia ’ s treatment of Chinese steelmakers , who face import duties as high as 144 % , may have triggered retaliation from Beijing , ” The AFR ( $ ) reports .
The Coalition ’ s JobKeeper scheme is facing pressure in the Senate , where Labor and the Greens are set to push disallowance motions to prevent the exclusion of universities and foreign-owned companies , both The Age and The Guardian report .
Conversely , NSW Liberal MP Jason Falinski has called for the scheme to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to news.com.au .
Elsewhere , Greens leader Adam Bandt announced the party will push to maintain the new JobSeeker rate of $ 1,100 a fortnight after the September deadline , and has pitched a $ 2.3 billion economic stimulus package aimed at the arts sector .
ONE THING THE UK GOT RIGHT : While the UK government continues to push a confusing “ back to work ” message , it has still extended its wage subsidy scheme for four months to the end of October , AAP reports .
Both the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation covering multiple facets of both current and future lockdown periods — such as extending public health orders , changing annual leave and long service leave laws , and reducing “ red tape ” for infrastructure .
The South Australian government is seeking tenders for the first $ 6 million of a new $ 20 million Homelessness Prevention Fund , and announced that shops will be permitted to continue extended trading hours in order to help maintain social distancing as restrictions begin to ease .
Additionally , SA will become the first state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to resume from midnight tonight .
The Victorian government has announced a plan to slowly ease remote learning for young children ( and potentially older cohorts ) before the end of term two .
It has also launched an online support network — called ‘ Virtual Country Cuppas ‘ — to help rural women stay connected during the pandemic .
The Northern Territory government has launched the 2020 Darwin Street Art Festival , to expand as stage two restrictions ease from noon on Friday , May 15 , and named the 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive close to $ 3 million in new funding .
WA Premier Mark McGowan has announced the first allocation of grants from the Lotterywest $ 159 million COVID-19 Relief Fund .
Protesters from the Whistleblowers , Activists and Communities Alliance were removed from the roof of Melbourne ’ s Mantra Hotel yesterday , after protesting the nine-month detention of refugees transferred under former medivac legislation , AAP reports .
Shortly after , Mantra detainee and musician Mostafa Azimitabar announced that a Tamil refugee attempted suicide in the hotel yesterday afternoon .
The man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Island for six years before being moved last year , is now reportedly recovering in hospital .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The Media Watch host responds to criticisms of the show ’ s weird congratulations to Alan “ Cronulla Riots ” Jones ’ retirement announcement .
Here ’ s hoping the hurried backtracking saved , if not much face , at least an intern ’ s job .
READ ALL ABOUT IT The government bought 1.5 million antibody tests .
They can ’ t be used Virgin to keep international flights under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested for coronavirus after coughing fit during economic update Coronavirus crisis : Japan backs international inquiry into origins of COVID-19 but calls for ‘ appropriate ’ timing ( $ ) AFP defends Angus Taylor investigation and not obtaining evidence of allegedly forged document New ‘ Team Territory ’ commission to lead economic recovery strategy for NT post COVID-19 ( $ ) ‘ It ’ s all rigged ’ : Trump foreshadows how he could undermine presidential election Coronavirus : There can be no backdown in face of Beijing trade baloney ( $ ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Beijing ’ s decision apparently to destroy our barley exports to China , and to cut our beef exports there , constitutes naked economic coercion and intimidation .
There is no doubt they are linked to Canberra ’ s call for an independent inquiry into the origins and spread of COVID-19.
” COVID tracing app needs a makeover , not new laws to keep privacy safe — Priya Dev ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ The government has introduced legislation into Parliament designed to allay privacy fears around COVIDSafe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies not in laws but in a major makeover to keep personal data private .
Such a makeover would also fix the major flaw that has marred the app from the start.
” Jones ’ retirement doesn ’ t mean we can relax — Nat Cromb ( IndigenousX ) : “ When I heard the news of Alan Jones ’ resignation and departure from the radio waves this morning , I searched the depths of my being to try and locate any semblance of sadness .
I came up empty , unsurprisingly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , his ideologies and his unapologetic infliction of damage upon people he loves to punch down on.
” • The COVID-19 Senate inquiry will hear from chief medical officer Brendan Murphy , the Department of Health , the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet , the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission , and the National Indigenous Australians Agency .
• The parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security will hold a hearing into the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment ( International Production Orders ) Bill 2020 .
• Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the director of the international and security affairs program at the Australia Institute , as part of an “ Economics of a Pandemic ” series .
• Greenpeace will launch a new report , Dirty Power : Burnt Country , analysing both the 100 million tonnes of new coal extraction approved during the Black Saturday bushfires as well as News Corp ’ s arson , climate denialism and controlled burning disinformation campaigns .

WHEAT, MEAT AND PERHAPS DAIRY AT RISK
The dairy industry has called for a snap meeting with the federal government, after China launched a trade investigation into four Australian abattoirs — a move that risks $200 million a month and thousands of jobs — just one day after a similar play within the wheat industry, according to The Age.
While politicians in both countries continue to trade barbs over the push for a coronavirus inquiry, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Zhao Lijian, claims the restrictions are not retaliatory but due to violations of quarantine and custom standards. On Friday, China introduced new alloy steel tariffs to the EU and USA, although Australia is the only nation to see two trade threats since the pandemic started.
IT’S CUTE WHEN WE DO IT: Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has refused to acknowledge that “Australia’s treatment of Chinese steelmakers, who face import duties as high as 144%, may have triggered retaliation from Beijing,” The AFR ($) reports.
JOBKEEPER? JOBSEEKER? BOTH? NEITHER?
The Coalition’s JobKeeper scheme is facing pressure in the Senate, where Labor and the Greens are set to push disallowance motions to prevent the exclusion of universities and foreign-owned companies, both The Age and The Guardian report. Conversely, NSW Liberal MP Jason Falinski has called for the scheme to end as soon as schools reopen, according to news.com.au.
Elsewhere, Greens leader Adam Bandt announced the party will push to maintain the new JobSeeker rate of $1,100 a fortnight after the September deadline, and has pitched a $2.3 billion economic stimulus package aimed at the arts sector.
ONE THING THE UK GOT RIGHT: While the UK government continues to push a confusing “back to work” message, it has still extended its wage subsidy scheme for four months to the end of October, AAP reports.
STATE WRAP
Both the New South Wales and South Australian governments introduced legislation covering multiple facets of both current and future lockdown periods — such as extending public health orders, changing annual leave and long service leave laws, and reducing “red tape” for infrastructure.
The South Australian government is seeking tenders for the first $6 million of a new $20 million Homelessness Prevention Fund, and announced that shops will be permitted to continue extended trading hours in order to help maintain social distancing as restrictions begin to ease. Additionally, SA will become the first state to begin to fully restore elective surgery, to resume from midnight tonight.
The Victorian government has announced a plan to slowly ease remote learning for young children (and potentially older cohorts) before the end of term two. It has also launched an online support network — called ‘Virtual Country Cuppas‘ — to help rural women stay connected during the pandemic.
The Northern Territory government has launched the 2020 Darwin Street Art Festival, to expand as stage two restrictions ease from noon on Friday, May 15, and named the 10 family and domestic violence organisations that will receive close to $3 million in new funding.
WA Premier Mark McGowan has announced the first allocation of grants from the Lotterywest $159 million COVID-19 Relief Fund.
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REFUGEE PROTESTS
Protesters from the Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance were removed from the roof of Melbourne’s Mantra Hotel yesterday, after protesting the nine-month detention of refugees transferred under former medivac legislation, AAP reports.
Shortly after, Mantra detainee and musician Mostafa Azimitabar announced that a Tamil refugee attempted suicide in the hotel yesterday afternoon. The man, who was reportedly detained on Manus Island for six years before being moved last year, is now reportedly recovering in hospital.
Lifeline: 13 11 14; Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Thanks. Just seen it. I’ll sack the intern. Paul Barry
The Media Watch host responds to criticisms of the show’s weird congratulations to Alan “Cronulla Riots” Jones’ retirement announcement. Here’s hoping the hurried backtracking saved, if not much face, at least an intern’s job.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
The government bought 1.5 million antibody tests. They can’t be used
Coronavirus: Scott Morrison puts mental health at top of medical agenda ($)
Virgin to keep international flights under plan put to potential buyers
Jackie Trad and schools chief in text talk ($)
Josh Frydenberg tested for coronavirus after coughing fit during economic update
Government pushes ahead with class action inquiry
Coronavirus crisis: Japan backs international inquiry into origins of COVID-19 but calls for ‘appropriate’ timing ($)
AFP defends Angus Taylor investigation and not obtaining evidence of allegedly forged document
Sports rorts: health department concerned Bridget McKenzie could make decisions in caretaker period
New ‘Team Territory’ commission to lead economic recovery strategy for NT post COVID-19 ($)
‘A firm uppercut’: Travel industry boss lashes out at ACA host
‘It’s all rigged’: Trump foreshadows how he could undermine presidential election
THE COMMENTARIAT
Coronavirus: There can be no backdown in face of Beijing trade baloney ($) — Greg Sheridan (The Australian): “Beijing’s decision apparently to destroy our barley exports to China, and to cut our beef exports there, constitutes naked economic coercion and intimidation. There is no doubt they are linked to Canberra’s call for an independent inquiry into the origins and spread of COVID-19.”
COVID tracing app needs a makeover, not new laws to keep privacy safe — Priya Dev (The Sydney Morning Herald): “The government has introduced legislation into Parliament designed to allay privacy fears around COVIDSafe. But the solution to privacy concerns lies not in laws but in a major makeover to keep personal data private. Such a makeover would also fix the major flaw that has marred the app from the start.”
Jones’ retirement doesn’t mean we can relax — Nat Cromb (IndigenousX): “When I heard the news of Alan Jones’ resignation and departure from the radio waves this morning, I searched the depths of my being to try and locate any semblance of sadness. I came up empty, unsurprisingly, when you consider the nature of the man, his ideologies and his unapologetic infliction of damage upon people he loves to punch down on.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The COVID-19 Senate inquiry will hear from chief medical officer Brendan Murphy , the Department of Health, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission, and the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
The parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security will hold a hearing into the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (International Production Orders) Bill 2020.
Australia


crikey--2020-05-10--Is Australia really doing better than New Zealand in the fight against COVID-19?

Scott Morrison claimed that Australia is doing better than New Zealand despite imposing a less extreme lockdown .
Is he right ?
Australia and New Zealand remain among a small group of countries that have so far managed to subdue the deadly coronavirus pandemic .
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been keen to stress Australia is not entirely in lock-step with its trans-Tasman neighbour .
In an April 16 media conference , he said New Zealand had imposed a “ state of even more extreme lockdown ” than Australia , but had been less successful at suppressing the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand decided to go a lot further , but I ’ d note that the outcomes we are getting are actually on a per capita basis actually better than what is happening in New Zealand , ” Morrison said .
Is it correct that Australia achieved better per capita outcomes , even though New Zealand “ decided to go a lot further ” with its economic and social lockdown ?
RMIT ABC Fact Check investigates .
His suggestion that Australia achieved “ better ” outcomes on a per capita basis than New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including total confirmed cases per capita , new daily cases per capita , the total number of deaths per capita , or the number of daily deaths per capita .
Australia has not achieved a better outcome than New Zealand in terms of total ( cumulative ) cases per capita .
Nor has Australia achieved a better result on the number of total confirmed deaths per capita .
However , following both countries ’ respective lockdowns , Australia was recording lower numbers of new daily cases per capita , using a three-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia was also recording fewer daily deaths per capita , again using a three-day rolling average .
These measures capture the picture after the lockdowns were imposed , and better reflect Morrison ’ s claim about “ the outcomes we are getting ” .
However , any differences between the two countries have been marginal .
Moreover , the circumstances facing Australia and New Zealand were not identical .
During the week in which both countries ramped up their respective lockdowns ( March 23 to March 29 ) , New Zealand experienced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , with the number of cases per capita jumping 371 % , compared to a 122 % increase in Australia .
New Zealand was also testing at a higher rate , raising the possibility that more cases were being identified , and potentially giving the false impression that eradication efforts were more successful in Australia .
As experts noted , it is too early to make definitive judgements .
In making his April 16 claim , Morrison linked the results to the lockdown measures imposed in both countries .
And he spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , indicating a focus on results shortly before he made the claim .
To test Morrison ’ s claim , Fact Check used data from Monday , March 30 , up to and including April 15 , as a basis for comparison .
This represents the period immediately following the lockdowns imposed in both countries , up to the most recent full day of data available at the time Morrison made his claim .
As noted , there are a number of ways to assess whether Australia has achieved “ better ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capita basis , including total confirmed cases , total confirmed deaths , new daily cases and new daily deaths .
But using the total number of confirmed cases or deaths as a basis for comparison does not tell us much about a country ’ s performance after lockdown measures have been introduced .
For example , a country might have experienced a high number of cases and deaths early on , inflating the total , but then have put measures in place to successfully suppress the virus .
Fact Check therefore places greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases or new daily deaths , rather than the cumulative figures .
Because the per capita numbers tend to be tiny and can be difficult to interpret , Fact Check has expressed figures as a rate per million people , in line with common practice .
Fact Check has relied on statistics compiled by Oxford University-based organisation Our World in Data , which in turn relies on data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC ) , an agency set up by the European Union in 2004 to track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Check has previously pointed out , comparing statistics on coronavirus can be problematic , particularly since different countries use different methodologies for recording and reporting .
It is difficult to be precise about the timing of the respective lockdowns in Australia and New Zealand , as a staged approach was applied .
However , the week starting on Monday , March 23 was critical .
During this week , both countries dramatically ramped up lockdown rules to control the virus .
At midday on the Monday , restrictions announced by Morrison the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as hotels , clubs , restaurants , entertainment venues , cinemas and casinos .
On the Tuesday , Morrison announced a ban on all Australians travelling overseas and expanded the list of prohibited venues to include nail salons , fitness centres , swimming pools , museums and places of worship , among others .
On the Friday , he announced that travellers arriving in Australia would be required to undertake mandatory 14-day self-isolation at designated facilities .
Meanwhile on March 23 , New Zealand Prime Minister , Jacinda Ardern , announced a range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stages over the week .
The first stage , called Alert Level 3 , included the closure of non-essential businesses and a blanket ban on events and gatherings .
The tougher Alert Level 4 involved closing all schools and public venues .
During that critical week , the number of confirmed cases per million recorded in New Zealand increased from 21 on Monday , to 99 the following Sunday — a rise of 371 % .
In Australia the acceleration was not as dramatic , with the number of confirmed cases per million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase of 122 % .
Brian Cox , an epidemiologist from the University of Otago , said it was difficult to compare the two countries because the circumstances they faced at the time were not identical .
Associate Professor Cox likened the situation facing New Zealand to that of Italy , pointing to several clusters linked to returning travellers , a conference in Queenstown , two weddings with overseas guests , and a visiting cruise ship .
“ These were similar to the cause of the rapid increase in the rate of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Fact Check .
“ The available facilities simply would not have been able to cope with that and the control of this cluster-based epidemic would have been completely lost.
” Morrison noted in his media conference that the measures put in place by the two countries “ largely mirrored each other ” .
However , he also said New Zealand “ decided to go a lot further ” by imposing a state of “ even more extreme lockdown ” .
Since Morrison ’ s media conference , both Australia and New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Australia , lockdown and social distancing rules have been less prescriptive , with more room for interpretation .
The rules also vary , sometimes considerably , between jurisdictions .
The following table summarises major measures in place in Australia and New Zealand at the time Morrison made his claim on April 16 .
As the table shows , many of the measures put in place by the two countries were similar , although New Zealand was , as Morrison noted , stricter in its approach .
In New Zealand , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses were forced to close , whereas in Australia many shops were permitted to remain open , albeit on a restricted basis .
New Zealanders were also only allowed to stay within their “ local area ” when leaving home — that is , they could only visit places nearby for essential services or local exercise .
In Australia , domestic travel was to be avoided but some states had exemptions on restrictions , like visiting another property you owned or compassionate grounds .
In Australia , restaurants and cafes were allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were forced to close .
Weddings and funerals were also completely banned in New Zealand ( with some limited exceptions for close family ) , whereas in Australia they were allowed to take place with heavy restrictions limiting the number of people attending .
While it is clear New Zealand went further than Australia with its lockdown , less obvious is the question of whether Australia has been more successful in suppressing the virus .
The total , cumulative number of cases detected has been higher in per capita terms in Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the day before Morrison gave his media conference , Australia had notched up 252 cases per million people , compared to 224 in New Zealand .
Australia recorded an average of 37 cases per million more than New Zealand between March 30 and April 15 .
The impact of suppression measures can also be assessed by examining the number of new cases recorded each day .
This is more relevant to Morrison ’ s claim .
To iron out daily volatility , Fact Check smoothed the figures using a three-day rolling average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 , Australia recorded a daily average of 1.7 new confirmed cases per million people , compared to 2.0 cases per million in New Zealand .
From March 30 to April 15 , Australia recorded an average of 6.0 new daily cases per million , compared to 7.3 new daily cases per million across the Tasman .
Another way to assess the relative performance of Australia and New Zealand is to look at confirmed deaths per capita .
As the graph shows , on total deaths per capita Australia has not achieved a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 15 , Australia had recorded 2.4 deaths per million , compared to 1.9 deaths per million in New Zealand .
What about the daily number of deaths ?
As with the number of daily confirmed cases , this measure provides a more immediate snapshot , and reflects the results since the lockdown .
The following table shows the number of daily confirmed deaths per capita , again smoothed using a three-day rolling average .
As the graph shows , New Zealand ’ s average daily death rate overtook Australia ’ s during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three days to April 15 , Australia recorded a daily average of 0.05 deaths per million people , compared to 0.35 in New Zealand .
Peter Collignon , an infectious disease expert and microbiologist at the Australian National University Medical School , said it was still too early to use deaths as a basis for comparison , mainly because it typically takes some time for a person to die from the virus .
“ The trouble with using deaths is that it is still too early to tell , ” Professor Collignon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure is going to be in a few month ’ s time when they look at deaths in winter and compare how that exceeds normal winters.
” In proportional terms , New Zealand has generally been testing more than Australia .
On April 15 , New Zealand was testing at about four times the rate of Australia , with 0.8 tests per 1000 people , compared to about 0.2 in Australia .
This raises the possibility that higher testing could result in higher numbers of confirmed cases , potentially giving the false impression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Australia .
Another way to illustrate this point is to examine the number of tests required to find one positive case of COVID-19 .
On April 15 , for example , New Zealand was conducting 65 tests for every confirmed positive case .
In Australia , the rate was lower , with 59 tests conducted for every positive case detected .
In other words , New Zealand has been testing more , but finding fewer positive cases .
Professor Collignon said it was difficult to be definitive about testing because it depended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criteria applied to determine eligibility for testing .
More from the experts Professor Collignon said Australia and New Zealand had both achieved “ very similar ” results suppressing the virus .
“ One being better than the other is dependent on how you look at it , ” he said .
“ But I think that ’ s important because it means Australia has likely achieved the same results controlling infection as New Zealand , just in Australia with less lockdown measures and so not as much economic and social impacts — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said if you take the impact of cruise ships out , which accounted for about one-third of Australian cases , then Australia was clearly more successful at suppressing the virus than New Zealand .
Siouxsie Wiles , an infectious disease expert from the University of Auckland , said the numbers in New Zealand and Australia had been so low that comparisons such as Morrison ’ s were not particularly meaningful .
“ It ’ s all in the noise , ” Associate Professor Wiles said .
“ This is a long game and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it plays out over the year rather than making bold claims about who has responded in the ‘ best ’ way right now.
” Associate Professor Cox said he believed New Zealand was now in a good position to eliminate the virus following the lockdown measures it imposed .
“ The lockdown has been vital to controlling this disease in New Zealand and we are even in a good position to eliminate it , ” Associate Professor Cox said .
• Georgia Hitch , “ Prime Minister Scott Morrison flags easing of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Online , April 29 , 2020 .
• Lucia Stein , “ Jacinda Ardern announces New Zealand will relax coronavirus lockdown to level three next week ” , ABC News Online , April 20 , 2020 • Peta Fuller , “ New Zealand ’ s level four coronavirus lockdown has been strict .
Here are some of the differences with Australia ” , ABC News Online , April 20 , 2020 • Grant Duncan , “ New Zealand ’ s coronavirus elimination strategy has united a nation .
Can that unity outlast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 15 , 2020 • Max Roser , Hannah Ritchie , Esteban Ortiz-Ospina and Joe Hasell , Our world in data , Coronavirus Disease ( COVID-19 ) – Statistics and Research , University of Oxford • European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control , Situation update worldwide , as of 29 April 2020 • RMIT ABC Fact Check , “ Scott Morrison says the coronavirus curve is flattening .
Are we turning the corner ?
ABC News Online , April 3 , 2020

The claim
Australia and New Zealand remain among a small group of countries that have so far managed to subdue the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been keen to stress Australia is not entirely in lock-step with its trans-Tasman neighbour.
In an April 16 media conference, he said New Zealand had imposed a “state of even more extreme lockdown” than Australia, but had been less successful at suppressing the virus after accounting for population size.


Worm Archives •

Good morning , early birds .
Following Victoria 's spike in COVID-19 cases , Victorians have been advised against travel @ @ @ @ @ hotspots until control of community transmission has been confirmed , and last summer 's extreme @ @ @ @ @ Australia 's electricity and gas infrastructure to the brink .
It 's the news you @ @ @ @ @ Chris Woods .

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crikey--2020-06-26--George Pell Archives •

George Pell Archives •

A new climate in Eden-Monaro , while Morrison ’ s boats are changing course The new Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro @ @ @ @ @ climate change , while Scott Morrison has a new attitude towards boats .
Catch up @ @ @ @ @ other latest tips and murmurs .


crikey--2020-04-27--Isolation and anxiety: what it's like giving birth during lockdown

Parents report a lot of concerns about having a child at times like this , beyond the obvious one of @ @ @ @ @ it to their unborn child .
Rachael Hickinbotham , a Sydney-based obstetrician , is dealing @ @ @ @ @ challenges in the age of the coronavirus .
The biggest change that I have found @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment ( PPE ) is the use of a mask in the second stage @ @ @ @ @ positive patient .
A first-time mum can take up to two hours to push out @ @ @ @ @ stage of labour .
It is at this time , during the expulsive efforts , @ @ @ @ @ risk of respiratory droplets , hence why wearing a mask is important to the midwife @ @ @ @

Rachael Hickinbotham, a Sydney-based obstetrician, is dealing with many new and difficult challenges in the age of the coronavirus.
The biggest change that I have found with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is the use of a mask in the second stage of labour in a non-COVID-19 positive patient.
A first-time mum can take up to two hours to push out her baby, the second stage of labour. It is at this time, during the expulsive efforts, that there is the most risk of respiratory droplets, hence why wearing a mask is important to the midwife and the doctor.


crikey--2020-04-27--What the pandemic isn't teaching us about stopping a climate catastrophe

Despite all the advanced warning of a pandemic , the world took little action to prepare for a coronavirus-style outbreak .
Sound familiar ?
Please stop analogising climate change and the pandemic .
The pandemic is not a parallel of climate change at all — it is a disaster of a very different stripe .
Climate change is a slow moving juggernaut out to take us down .
Pandemics are short sharp flashes that repeat throughout history .
Anthropogenic climate change is happening for the first time .
Pandemics we have a lot of experience with .
The fact pandemics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important thing we can say about pandemics : they follow a power law distribution .
I remember when I first read that terrorist attacks follow a power law distribution .
A paper published in 2005 explained that there are many , many small terrorist attacks .
They happen all over the world , almost every day .
Big attacks like 9/11 are rare .
“ The frequency scales as an inverse power of the severity , ” wrote researchers , drawing on a database of 11,000 fatal terrorist attacks worldwide since 1968 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit a bell curve , where there is an “ average ” that tells you what you need to know .
Instead , much of the damage is done by a few rare events .
Terrorist attacks share this pattern with earthquakes , rockslides , asteroid impacts , industrial disasters , famines , fires , floods , the distribution of wealth , and many other natural phenomena .
A few big outliers are really important .
“ Large events happen more often than you would expect in systems that exhibit power law distributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syracuse University .
“ This means that catastrophically large earthquakes , blackouts , stock market crashes or internet traffic bursts are more likely than predicted by gaussian [ bell curve ] models ” We are more comfortable with normal distributions — the bell curve .
Power law distributions are alien to us .
To help conceptualise them , consider this : if human heights were distributed in a power law distribution , America would have one person as tall as the Empire State Building and 180 million people around 17cm tall .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks .
SARS killed 774 people .
MERS killed 858 .
SARS-nCOV has been about 300 times more damaging , killing over 200,000 so far .
The world was woefully ill-prepared for the latest coronavirus outbreak .
The occurrence of the small outbreaks was a warning that a bigger one was out there waiting to occur .
The globe was well advised to prepare .
And the disappointing thing is that even with all this evidence , and all these warnings , we took so little action .
One lesson everyone is taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepare adequately for pandemics .
That ’ s correct .
But if we were wise we would look into the deeper pattern .
The pandemic tells us there are a lot of large disasters out there waiting to happen .
They are unlikely to be hidden — we ’ ve probably seen a small version of them .
What ’ s more , someone is probably warning us about them .
We should start listening .
One such warning sticks in my mind .
It comes from a Pulitzer Prize winning story about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That fault line is a peculiar one that stores energy up instead of releasing lots of little earthquakes .
This has two implications — one , most of the residents of Seattle have never felt an earthquake ; and two , when it goes it will really be something .
“ When the next full-margin rupture happens , that region will suffer the worst natural disaster in the history of North America , ” writes the author .
Kathryn Schulz .
Is Seattle preparing for this quake ?
No .
It continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be worst affected .
Faced with disasters that are serious only occasionally , it might seem like bad luck if they cluster , or happen close together in time .
Surely you ’ d like some time to prepare , time to recover , right ?
Instead , clustering seems to be helpful .
Australia ’ s incredibly damaging , unpredictable and long-lasting 2019-20 bushfire season took only 34 lives .
That is almost certainly because the lessons of Black Saturday were fresh in our minds .
That fire event killed 173 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses , both personal and political .
The inability of the novel coronavirus to make much headway in Taiwan can be understood in the same way .
The relatively recent impact of SARS meant the country was prepared .
Europe , which was most recently ravaged by a pandemic 102 years ago — the Spanish Flu — was far worse prepared .
New Zealand has long been well-prepared for an earthquake in Wellington , which is hit by them often .
It was not expecting one in Christchurch , and when a magnitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people died .
These observations can be interpreted as reason to hope .
We can take action and bend the left end of the power law distribution down , if — if — we pay attention and take action in time .
We can ’ t stop earthquakes but we can stop building in the danger zones .
We can ’ t stop bushfires , but we can evacuate areas in time .
We can ’ t stop terrorists being motivated to attack , but we can make it very difficult for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We can ’ t stop viruses mutating , but we can deprive them of hosts .
Recent times have seen a few small wars , while the multilateral institutions that were built to prevent a recurrence of global armed conflict are being eroded , and China and the US are at loggerheads .
We must combat climate change .
But we already know that .
The lesson of the pandemic is an unfortunate one — there are a lot of other risks we need to combat too , and we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Please stop analogising climate change and the pandemic. The pandemic is not a parallel of climate change at all — it is a disaster of a very different stripe.
Climate change is a slow moving juggernaut out to take us down. Pandemics are short sharp flashes that repeat throughout history. Anthropogenic climate change is happening for the first time. Pandemics we have a lot of experience with.


crikey--2020-02-25--Morrison dodges responsibility as coronavirus hits a weak economy

The government wants you to know that coronavirus will harm the economy and the budget — they 're just not @ @ @ @ @ it .
Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg want you to know that if the economy @ @ @ @ @ budget surplus they not merely promised but claimed had already been delivered fails to materialise @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus .
It 's not their fault -- despite the fact that they refuse @ @ @ @ @ any kind .
Yesterday , as share markets around the world slumped , the PM @ @ @ @ @ media conference to say exactly that : it wo n't be their fault , even @ @ @ @ @ to do anything and certainly wo n't undertake any fiscal response to help the economy @

Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg want you to know that if the economy tips into recession and the budget surplus they not merely promised but claimed had already been delivered fails to materialise, it’s the fault of coronavirus.
It’s not their fault — despite the fact that they refuse to show economic leadership of any kind.
Yesterday, as share markets around the world slumped, the PM and the Treasurer called a media conference to say exactly that: it won’t be their fault, even though they don’t propose to do anything and certainly won’t undertake any fiscal response to help the economy.


International revelations

This week : dictatorship — a how-to guide , dubbing sucks , and do we really have a fuel security problem ?
A history of torture : how We never do it , but They always do ( meanwhile the movie The Report , which probably does more to publicise the CIA ’ s horrific torture program than any amount of political journalism over the last two decades , is dismissed as just another White Saviour story ) .
Stop romanticising the military — it offers no more meaning or sense than the lives young men want to escape from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how the war in Afghanistan — now in sight of 20 years old — turned into a debacle .
Plus , the Chinese tyranny ’ s overwhelming surveillance was exactly what blinded it to the spread of coronavirus .
And in a nice demonstration of how the right is losing ideological coherence , anti-immigration British Tories say they want Australia ’ s immigration system .
Except they haven ’ t realised it led to high immigration here ( haven ’ t they visited Sydney and tried to drive there lately ? )
@

DISTRUST
A history of torture: how We never do it, but They always do (meanwhile the movie The Report, which probably does more to publicise the CIA’s horrific torture program than any amount of political journalism over the last two decades, is dismissed as just another White Saviour story).
Stop romanticising the military — it offers no more meaning or sense than the lives young men want to escape from. Foreign Affairs has a long read on how the war in Afghanistan — now in sight of 20 years old — turned into a debacle. Plus, the Chinese tyranny’s overwhelming surveillance was exactly what blinded it to the spread of coronavirus.
And in a nice demonstration of how the right is losing ideological coherence, anti-immigration British Tories say they want Australia’s immigration system. Except they haven’t realised it led to high immigration here (haven’t they visited Sydney and tried to drive there lately?).


crikey--2020-04-19--Will coronavirus cause a recession in Australia?

Will coronavirus cause a recession in Australia ?
We share the most recent IMF findings and forecasts .
Will the coronavirus pandemic cause a recession in Australia ?
Yes , unfortunately , coronavirus will likely cause a recession in Australia , and across the world , according to Harald Finger , IMF mission chief for Australia .
A recession is marked by a temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced .
With lockdowns still firmly in place , the widespread loss of jobs and large stimulus packages being deployed across Australia and further afield , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 could closely mirror the Great Depression .
The below chart from the IMF compares the ‘ Great Lockdown of 2020 ’ to the Global Financial Crisis of 2009 .
Unemployment , commercial slowdowns , government spending and weak consumer confidence are some of the leading factors that will reinforce a recession in Australia caused by coronavirus .
According to the Grattan Institute , Australia ’ s unemployment rate is expected to rise between 10-15 % during the coronavirus outbreak .
As a direct result of the coronavirus outbreak , 14-26 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over 50 % of all workers in the hospitality industry may lose their livelihoods , as well as those working in the arts , education and retail sectors .
Low-income workers are twice as likely to lose their jobs in 2020 .
Women and younger people are also more likely to be affected by unemployment due to the likely industries in which they work , which may make social distancing unavoidable .
The JobKeeper wage subsidy package will need to be supplemented once again in the future due to the ongoing economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Restaurants , pubs , clubs , cinemas , gyms , casinos , nightclubs , indoor places of worship and indoor sporting venues were told to shut doors approximately four weeks ago , with the view that closures could last for six months .
The federal government has rapidly deployed additional payments for job seekers , JobKeeper wage subsidies for businesses big and small , and rent allowances since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Morrison ’ s government response to coronavirus will be worth an estimated 3.3 % of Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year and 6.1 % next year , according to the ABC .
According to the Morrison government , it is spending $ 7,600 per person to keep the Australian economy ticking over .
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak , consumer spending had already been slowing as a result of falling wages and the effects of the Australian bushfires .
Now with the onset of more and more uncertainty , as well as rising rates of unemployment , consumer confidence and purchasing is likely to fall further .
At this point , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of what ’ s to come .
The International Monetary Fund predicts the Australian economy will shrink by 6.7 % in 2020 , due to lockdown measures that have seen a number of key industries put out of commission for the foreseeable future .
Read : Coronavirus statistics | When will the lockdown end ?

Will the coronavirus pandemic cause a recession in Australia?
Yes, unfortunately, coronavirus will likely cause a recession in Australia, and across the world, according to Harald Finger, IMF mission chief for Australia.
A recession is marked by a temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced. With lockdowns still firmly in place, the widespread loss of jobs and large stimulus packages being deployed across Australia and further afield, it is hypothesised the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 could closely mirror the Great Depression.
The below chart from the IMF compares the ‘Great Lockdown of 2020’ to the Global Financial Crisis of 2009.


crikey--2020-04-28--Worm: The fight over schools heats up

Worm: The fight over schools heats up

The federal government gives private schools a $ 3.2 billion incentive to resume classroom teaching by the end of May .
The Australian ( $ ) reports that a network of Victorian private schools has called for the ability to reopen campuses in regions largely unaffected by COVID-19 , even as Premier Dan Andrews digs in on plans to maintain online learning for the rest of term two .
The call came as federal Education Minister Dan Tehan wrote to all non-government schools offering to bring forward $ 3.2 billion in national funding to re-open campuses immediately and return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the end of May .
According to The Age , Victoria ’ s Fitzroy Legal Service and Human Rights Law Centre have filed a Supreme Court case against the state government , to be heard today , on behalf of a prisoner with multiple medical conditions fearing a COVID-19 outbreak in jail .
The Andrews government , unlike NSW last month , has thus far resisted calls from legal groups to release vulnerable and/or non-serious offenders amidst the pandemic .
While Victoria has not yet recorded a case in prison , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ COVID-19 ” has been accepted by judges as “ exceptional circumstances ” in granting bail , amongst other decisions .
WHAT ’ S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN ?
According to The Legal Aid Society , New York ’ s Rikers Island prison has jumped from an infection rate of 3 % last month to 9.9 % today .
In Peru , a riot over fears of the virus has left nine people dead .
The Australian Financial Review ( $ ) reports that a comment piece in the Communist Party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Daily , has accused Scott Morrison of attempting to deflect domestic “ anger ” over the pandemic and summer bushfires in campaigning for a COVID-19 probe .
The piece , a rare direct criticism of Morrison , comes shortly after The Guardian reports the objectively much funnier description of Australia as “ gum stuck to the bottom of China ’ s shoe ” in a state media outlet .
However , The Age reports that , even as officials from both countries swap intermittent barbs with calls to de-escalate the situation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 years of flare-ups have not put any lasting dents in the trade relationship .
• Victoria will today announce a relief package for international students worth tens of millions of dollars • NSW has provided an update on the first round of fast-tracked planning projects launched under the state ’ s COVID-19 response plan • Queensland has waived $ 33.8 million in state land rent , to cover more than 6000 farmers , businesses , tourism operators , and community and sports clubs , for April 1 to September 30 • South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a training initiative to be delivered in partnership with employer association Ai Group and provider of trade and export development firm Hydra Consulting .
The state also announced that more than 400 nurses and midwives in the public hospital sector have completed training to upskill for a COVID-19 surge .
Finally , in what could be the hardest pill to swallow , the Logies have been cancelled .
As he has been more than happy to point out , last year ’ s Gold Logie winner Tom Gleeson now technically wins another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weirdly , environmentalists are not 100 % down with one Spanish fishing town ’ s novel attempt to suppress the coronavirus : blast it with bleach .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Australian leaders given two strategies for rebounding from COVID-19 COVID-19 : suspicions of Wuhan lab bat virus leak raised with Morrison government in early February ( $ ) Trump downplayed coronavirus despite more than a dozen warnings in daily briefings The coronavirus is fast turning Australia into a society of haves and have-nots — Rachel Nolan ( The New Daily ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Statistics data undertaken by the McKell Institute indicates the current workforce split is about 40/40/20 , with 40 % of the workforce being knowledge workers , 40 % frontline workers and up to 20 % unemployed or underemployed.
” Beijing shift was Malcolm Turnbull ’ s gift to Scott Morrison ( $ ) — Paul Kelly ( The Australian ) : “ The transformation of Australian policy towards China was a decisive event under the Turnbull government — it constitutes a personal journey by Malcolm Turnbull in response to an assertive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in relations , as Scott Morrison is demonstrating.
” Cutting ‘ green tape ’ may be good politicking , but it ’ s bad policy .
Here are five examples of regulation failure — Ian Wright ( The Conversation ) : “ Debate about how Australia will emerge from the coronavirus pandemic is heating up .
As part of the economic recovery , business groups have renewed calls to cut ‘ green tape ’ – environmental regulation that new projects , such as new mines , must follow.
” • The Joint Select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ System will hold a public hearing .
• Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers will speak on “ After the Crisis ” at The Australia Institute ’ s webinar series , “ Economics of a Pandemic ” .

PRIVATE SCHOOLS PUSH TO OPEN
The Australian ($) reports that a network of Victorian private schools has called for the ability to reopen campuses in regions largely unaffected by COVID-19, even as Premier Dan Andrews digs in on plans to maintain online learning for the rest of term two.
The call came as federal Education Minister Dan Tehan wrote to all non-government schools offering to bring forward $3.2 billion in national funding to re-open campuses immediately and return to at least 50% face-to-face teaching levels before the end of May.
PRISONS IN LOCKDOWN
According to The Age, Victoria’s Fitzroy Legal Service and Human Rights Law Centre have filed a Supreme Court case against the state government, to be heard today, on behalf of a prisoner with multiple medical conditions fearing a COVID-19 outbreak in jail.
The Andrews government, unlike NSW last month, has thus far resisted calls from legal groups to release vulnerable and/or non-serious offenders amidst the pandemic. While Victoria has not yet recorded a case in prison, a quick scan of Australian case law shows “COVID-19” has been accepted by judges as “exceptional circumstances” in granting bail, amongst other decisions.
WHAT’S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN? According to The Legal Aid Society, New York’s Rikers Island prison has jumped from an infection rate of 3% last month to 9.9% today. In Peru, a riot over fears of the virus has left nine people dead.
AUS V CHINA CONTINUES
The Australian Financial Review ($) reports that a comment piece in the Communist Party’s mouthpiece publication, the People’s Daily, has accused Scott Morrison of attempting to deflect domestic “anger” over the pandemic and summer bushfires in campaigning for a COVID-19 probe.
The piece, a rare direct criticism of Morrison, comes shortly after The Guardian reports the objectively much funnier description of Australia as “gum stuck to the bottom of China’s shoe” in a state media outlet.
However, The Age reports that, even as officials from both countries swap intermittent barbs with calls to de-escalate the situation, the ANU has released new research revealing 20 years of flare-ups have not put any lasting dents in the trade relationship.
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STATE WRAP
Victoria will today announce a relief package for international students worth tens of millions of dollars
NSW has provided an update on the first round of fast-tracked planning projects launched under the state’s COVID-19 response plan
Queensland has waived $33.8 million in state land rent, to cover more than 6000 farmers, businesses, tourism operators, and community and sports clubs, for April 1 to September 30
South Australia has launched the Export Fundamentals Program, a training initiative to be delivered in partnership with employer association Ai Group and provider of trade and export development firm Hydra Consulting. The state also announced that more than 400 nurses and midwives in the public hospital sector have completed training to upskill for a COVID-19 surge.
AND THE WINNER IS…
Finally, in what could be the hardest pill to swallow, the Logies have been cancelled. As he has been more than happy to point out, last year’s Gold Logie winner Tom Gleeson now technically wins another term.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
[Loosely translated from Spanish]: Fumigating beaches in the middle of the breeding season for birds or the development of the invertebrate network that will support coastal fishing and destroy the tourist value of the coastline, is not one of Trump’s ideas. It is happening in Zahara de los Atunes. Greenpeace Spain
Weirdly, environmentalists are not 100% down with one Spanish fishing town’s novel attempt to suppress the coronavirus: blast it with bleach.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
‘We’re still here’: 250 years after Cook landing, Aboriginal community reflects
Australian leaders given two strategies for rebounding from COVID-19
Coronavirus: expert on China Warwick Smith quits key position amid rising tensions ($)
Trevor Watts dumped from shadow ministry after COVID-19 fine
Clive Palmer ad for coronavirus ‘cure’ cleared by Australian drug regulator
COVID-19: suspicions of Wuhan lab bat virus leak raised with Morrison government in early February ($)
Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest helps federal government secure 10 million extra COVID-19 testing kits ($)
Aussie vaccine generates immunity stronger than in recovered patients ($)
France announces ‘progressive and controlled’ lockdown exit plan
Trump downplayed coronavirus despite more than a dozen warnings in daily briefings
THE COMMENTARIAT
The coronavirus is fast turning Australia into a society of haves and have-nots — Rachel Nolan (The New Daily): “A detailed analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data undertaken by the McKell Institute indicates the current workforce split is about 40/40/20, with 40% of the workforce being knowledge workers, 40% frontline workers and up to 20% unemployed or underemployed.”
Beijing shift was Malcolm Turnbull’s gift to Scott Morrison ($) — Paul Kelly (The Australian): “The transformation of Australian policy towards China was a decisive event under the Turnbull government — it constitutes a personal journey by Malcolm Turnbull in response to an assertive and hostile China that saw a permanent reset in relations, as Scott Morrison is demonstrating.”
Cutting ‘green tape’ may be good politicking, but it’s bad policy. Here are five examples of regulation failure — Ian Wright (The Conversation): “Debate about how Australia will emerge from the coronavirus pandemic is heating up. As part of the economic recovery, business groups have renewed calls to cut ‘green tape’ – environmental regulation that new projects, such as new mines, must follow.”
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Alice Springs, NT
The Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Family Law System will hold a public hearing.
Australia
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers will speak on “After the Crisis” at The Australia Institute’s webinar series, “Economics of a Pandemic”.
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-06-18--Clusters emerge in Victoria, JobKeeper to go, virus worsens in Latin America

Victoria has recorded its biggest spike in new cases in more than a month , plus more of the latest @ @ @ @ @ continues to lead the way in new cases .
More holes appear in JobKeeper .
@ @ @ @ @ than ever .
Victoria locked down harder than anywhere in Australia , and was the @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
But it still appears to have more community transmission of COVID-19 than anywhere @ @ @ @ @ , the state recorded 21 new coronavirus cases , its biggest spike in over a @ @

Victoria somehow continues to lead the way in new cases. More holes appear in JobKeeper. And football is more back than ever.
Victoria, what the hell?
Victoria locked down harder than anywhere in Australia, and was the slowest state to remove many restrictions.
But it still appears to have more community transmission of COVID-19 than anywhere else in Australia. Yesterday, the state recorded 21 new coronavirus cases, its biggest spike in over a month.


crikey--2020-05-18--COVID-19 won't help people buy homes — unless we democratise the suburbs

Sadly , house prices and housing affordability are two very different things .
Last week the Commonwealth Bank released a @ @ @ @ @ could drop by up to a third due to the economic fallout of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ young people hopeful of a silver lining -- they might finally own a home before @ @ @ @ @ lucky enough to still be earning and saving are praying that fewer , poorer and @ @ @ @ @ allow them to finally snag an otherwise unreachable property .
I even briefly contemplated it @ @ @ @ @ kind of austere , savings-conducive lifestyle that boomers incensed by pricey smashed avo have long @ @ @ @ @

Last week the Commonwealth Bank released a report suggesting that house prices could drop by up to a third due to the economic fallout of the pandemic.
Such reports have some young people hopeful of a silver lining — they might finally own a home before their hair greys! Those lucky enough to still be earning and saving are praying that fewer, poorer and less eager rival buyers might allow them to finally snag an otherwise unreachable property.
I even briefly contemplated it. Pandemic restrictions enforced the kind of austere, savings-conducive lifestyle that boomers incensed by pricey smashed avo have long implored we youth adopt.


crikey--2020-02-25--Worm: $82 billion in two days

Worm: $82 billion in two days

Good morning , early birds .
Coronavirus fears wiped $ 82 billion off the stock market in just 48 hours , and Victoria ’ s women 's hospital is standing against the government 's proposed religious freedom bill .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
According to The Australian ( $ ) , uncertainty over the novel coronavirus has wiped $ 82 billion off the stock market in the past two days , while The Sydney Morning Herald reports Sports Minister Richard Colbeck has issued a warning about athlete health ahead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Italy experience local spreads of the virus , The Guardian ‘ s live-updates show Austria and Croatia have confirmed their first cases , students are being sent home across the UK , and an entire hotel has been quarantined on Teneriffe , the largest of Spain ’ s Canary Islands .
Victoria ’ s Royal Women ’ s Hospital has joined 13 state community health services in slamming the Morrison government ’ s proposed religious freedom bill , arguing it prioritises religious ideology over patient care , The Age reports .
TALKING @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it legal for doctors citing religion to refuse contraception , HIV medication , gender affirmation and abortions , but they would be under no obligation to refer patients to someone willing to , you know , save their life .
NSW has become the first of several federal-state jurisdictions to introduce legislation expanding the ability of jurors in child abuse cases to hear evidence of prior convictions and sexual interests , and for victims to create joint trials , according to The Australian ( $ ) .
Agreements struck between attorneys-general will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Northern Territory and the federal government introduce similar bills that , by curtailing a defence team citing prejudice in blocking evidence , is almost guaranteed to increase the number of guilty verdicts .
Adam Bandt , Andrew Wilkie , Labor MP Susan Templeman and a collection of other leaders will today mark Israeli President Reuven Rivlin ‘ s visit to Parliament House by attending a vigil for Palestinian human rights and , according to the press release , protesting the Morrison government ’ s challenge of an International Criminal Court investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The latest of these war crimes involves ‘ necroviolence ’ , Al Jazeera reports , after an Israeli bulldozer was videoed violently scooping up the body of an allegedly unarmed Palestinian man , who had been shot along the southern Gaza Strip .
A severe thunderstorm has hit Perth and surrounding areas overnight , crashing the ceiling of Morley Galleria shopping centre , creating chaos across peak-hour traffic , and stripping power from more than 18,000 properties , the ABC reports .
Meanwhile , NT News ( $ ) reports the Top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rainfall as ex-tropical Cyclone Esther continues to move inland .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The man who didn ’ t exactly shy away from slamming “ African gangs ” explains an attempt to both-sides ASIO ’ s neo-Nazi warning .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Michael McCormack grants exemption to live export ship that fails new rules New waste crime squad to tackle illegal rubbish and chemical stockpiles Christian Wallabies Sekope Kepu and Samu Kerevi say Rugby Australia ‘ muzzled ’ their support for teammate Israel Folau ( $ ) Governments urged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect against natural disasters Epidemic must not be allowed to unleash AIDS-style hysteria — Dr Justin Koonin ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ In 1985 , at the peak of AIDS hysteria , The New York Times published an article canvassing the views of Americans on how best to deal with the epidemic .
A majority favoured the quarantine of AIDS patients , while a sizeable minority supported the view of columnist William Buckley that people with AIDS should be tattooed.
” Harvey Weinstein verdict is taking out the trash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Herald Sun ) : “ Oh , how the mighty have fallen .
One of the most powerful men in Hollywood , who could make or break careers and counted senators , presidents and First Ladies among his close friends , is finally behind bars.
” Why an Australian mining giant chose wind and solar over gas for $ 1 billion project — Giles Parkinson ( Renew Economy ) : “ It ’ s basically unheard of in Australia : An Australian mining giant announcing that it will choose wind , solar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent of the power needs of a proposed $ 1 billion nickel mine in outback Australia.
” • Universities Australia chair Professor Deborah Terry will present “ Let ’ s dare to be wise : expertise and evidence are our best defence against future terrors ” at the National Press Club .
Education Minister Dan Tehan will also speak at day one Universities Australia ’ s annual conference .
• Health Minister Greg Hunt will launch the first-ever national action plan on rare diseases , coinciding with Rare Disease Day .
• Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal election , the national redress scheme , remote education , migration in regional Australia , waste management and recycling , a Coalition bill to amend the Transport Security Act and Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act , and the ATO ’ s proposed fit-out of offices in Brisbane .
• Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services will launch a report about Aboriginal homelessness in the state .
• Environment Minister Lily D ’ Ambrosio will speak at a CEDA event on moving towards a circular economy .
• The Victorian Sport Awards will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSW ’ s 2019 Scientist of the Year Professor Rose Amal will present her latest research , “ Harnessing Solar Energy To Power Our Planet ” at NSW Parliament .
• Former Labor minister Robert Tickner will launch his memoir Ten Doors Down : the story of an extraordinary adoption reunion at the State Library of NSW .

RATTLED MARKETS
According to The Australian ($), uncertainty over the novel coronavirus has wiped $82 billion off the stock market in the past two days, while The Sydney Morning Herald reports Sports Minister Richard Colbeck has issued a warning about athlete health ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
As countries from Iran to Italy experience local spreads of the virus, The Guardian‘s live-updates show Austria and Croatia have confirmed their first cases, students are being sent home across the UK, and an entire hotel has been quarantined on Teneriffe, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands.
BACKLASH
Victoria’s Royal Women’s Hospital has joined 13 state community health services in slamming the Morrison government’s proposed religious freedom bill, arguing it prioritises religious ideology over patient care, The Age reports.
TALKING POINT: Not only would the bill make it legal for doctors citing religion to refuse contraception, HIV medication, gender affirmation and abortions, but they would be under no obligation to refer patients to someone willing to, you know, save their life.
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MAJOR REFORM FOR CHILD ABUSE CASES
NSW has become the first of several federal-state jurisdictions to introduce legislation expanding the ability of jurors in child abuse cases to hear evidence of prior convictions and sexual interests, and for victims to create joint trials, according to The Australian ($).
Agreements struck between attorneys-general will see Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the Northern Territory and the federal government introduce similar bills that, by curtailing a defence team citing prejudice in blocking evidence, is almost guaranteed to increase the number of guilty verdicts.
PARLIAMENTARY PROTEST
Adam Bandt, Andrew Wilkie, Labor MP Susan Templeman and a collection of other leaders will today mark Israeli President Reuven Rivlin‘s visit to Parliament House by attending a vigil for Palestinian human rights and, according to the press release, protesting the Morrison government’s challenge of an International Criminal Court investigation into Israeli war crimes.
TALKING POINT: The latest of these war crimes involves ‘necroviolence’, Al Jazeera reports, after an Israeli bulldozer was videoed violently scooping up the body of an allegedly unarmed Palestinian man, who had been shot along the southern Gaza Strip.
WET AS HELL
A severe thunderstorm has hit Perth and surrounding areas overnight, crashing the ceiling of Morley Galleria shopping centre, creating chaos across peak-hour traffic, and stripping power from more than 18,000 properties, the ABC reports. Meanwhile, NT News ($) reports the Top End has seen up to 160mm of rainfall as ex-tropical Cyclone Esther continues to move inland.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
You can use ‘Islamic extremist’, you get in trouble for using that, you can use ‘left wing’ to describe everybody from the left to the right … I just don’t understand why we get bogged down in this language. Peter Dutton
The man who didn’t exactly shy away from slamming “African gangs” explains an attempt to both-sides ASIO’s neo-Nazi warning.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Michael McCormack grants exemption to live export ship that fails new rules
New waste crime squad to tackle illegal rubbish and chemical stockpiles
Christian Wallabies Sekope Kepu and Samu Kerevi say Rugby Australia ‘muzzled’ their support for teammate Israel Folau ($)
Sydney baboon escape: police confirm three animals recaptured at Royal Prince Alfred hospital
Uyghur mother of Australian son responds to Chinese diplomat’s Q+A comments
Minister’s adviser gives ‘weak’ evidence on Tamil family, court hears
Renewable investment tipped to outlive subsidies but growing pains remain
Peter Dutton’s regional airport security plan under fire in Coalition party room
Governments urged to invest in roads, water, telecoms to protect against natural disasters
Former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak dies aged 91
THE COMMENTARIAT
Epidemic must not be allowed to unleash AIDS-style hysteria — Dr Justin Koonin (The Sydney Morning Herald): “In 1985, at the peak of AIDS hysteria, The New York Times published an article canvassing the views of Americans on how best to deal with the epidemic. A majority favoured the quarantine of AIDS patients, while a sizeable minority supported the view of columnist William Buckley that people with AIDS should be tattooed.”
Harvey Weinstein verdict is taking out the trash ($) — Rita Panahi (The Herald Sun): “Oh, how the mighty have fallen. One of the most powerful men in Hollywood, who could make or break careers and counted senators, presidents and First Ladies among his close friends, is finally behind bars.”
Why an Australian mining giant chose wind and solar over gas for $1 billion project — Giles Parkinson (Renew Economy): “It’s basically unheard of in Australia: An Australian mining giant announcing that it will choose wind, solar and battery storage to provide 80 per cent of the power needs of a proposed $1 billion nickel mine in outback Australia.”
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
Universities Australia chair Professor Deborah Terry will present “Let’s dare to be wise: expertise and evidence are our best defence against future terrors” at the National Press Club. Education Minister Dan Tehan will also speak at day one Universities Australia’s annual conference.
Health Minister Greg Hunt will launch the first-ever national action plan on rare diseases, coinciding with Rare Disease Day.
Federal parliamentary inquiries will begin into the 2019 federal election, the national redress scheme, remote education, migration in regional Australia, waste management and recycling, a Coalition bill to amend the Transport Security Act and Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act, and the ATO’s proposed fit-out of offices in Brisbane.
Melbourne
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services will launch a report about Aboriginal homelessness in the state.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio will speak at a CEDA event on moving towards a circular economy.
The Victorian Sport Awards will be held at Marvel Stadium.
Sydney


crikey--2020-02-12--Kevin Rudd's think tank opens up new questions in China debate

Critics are questioning whether the Kevin Rudd-helmed Asia Society Policy Institute can maintain any sort of balance on China .
@ @ @ @ @ in Australia with a splash to set up a Melbourne outpost of the US-based Asia @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Rudd , as ASPI 's president , managed to nab the services of @ @ @ @ @ Maude and Patrick Suckling as senior fellows .
The funding of the ASPI has been @ @ @ @ @ figures and apologists , as well as firms with Chinese interests .
This has long @ @ @ @ @ the institute 's ability to be balanced on China .

Kevin Rudd has landed back in Australia with a splash to set up a Melbourne outpost of the US-based Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI).
Rudd, as ASPI’s president, managed to nab the services of former senior Australian diplomats Richard Maude and Patrick Suckling as senior fellows.
The funding of the ASPI has been connected to senior Chinese government-linked figures and apologists, as well as firms with Chinese interests. This has long raised questions with critics over the institute’s ability to be balanced on China.


crikey--2020-02-21--China shows what it thinks about a free press

As China ramps up its war on press and academic freedom , Western countries like Australia are nowhere to be @ @ @ @ @ three Wall Street Journal reporters from Beijing at such a crucial time is no coincidence @ @ @ @ @ what will it take for Canberra to respond in kind and stand up to Chinese @ @ @ @ @ -- former Fairfax staffer Philip Wen and Americans Josh Chin and Chao Wang -- were @ @ @ @ @ after Beijing took offence at a WSJ article titled `` China is the real sick @ @ @ @ @

The expulsion of three Wall Street Journal reporters from Beijing at such a crucial time is no coincidence.
The question is, what will it take for Canberra to respond in kind and stand up to Chinese press censorship?
The reporters — former Fairfax staffer Philip Wen and Americans Josh Chin and Chao Wang — were given five days to leave after Beijing took offence at a WSJ article titled “China is the real sick man of Asia”.


crikey--2020-02-24--How the coronavirus is challenging China at every level

China ’ s officials know they have a problem but won ’ t acknowledge it ’ s partly to do @ @ @ @ @ epidemic is eliciting immense global sympathy and concern -- sympathy for those afflicted in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ trying to help them ; and concern over the origins , containment and spread of @ @ @ @ @ In China it has also prompted outrage over local authorities ’ initial responses to the @ @ @ @ @ outrage is reflected in international commentary on the challenges the epidemic presents for Xi Jinping @ @ @ @ @ Given China ’ s opaque political system we are unlikely to learn about challenges to @ @ @ @ @ they happen .
What we do know is that the epidemic presents challenges for a @ @ @ @ @ shows little flexibility in meeting the needs of an economy in transition and a society @ @ @ @

The COVID-19 epidemic is eliciting immense global sympathy and concern — sympathy for those afflicted in Wuhan and for the hospital staff trying to help them; and concern over the origins, containment and spread of the disease beyond China.
In China it has also prompted outrage over local authorities’ initial responses to the threat. Some of that outrage is reflected in international commentary on the challenges the epidemic presents for Xi Jinping and authoritarian party rule.
Given China’s opaque political system we are unlikely to learn about challenges to Xi’s leadership until they happen. What we do know is that the epidemic presents challenges for a top-down system of government that shows little flexibility in meeting the needs of an economy in transition and a society with growing expectations.


crikey--2020-04-24--Do people save money if they work from home? | Calculate your savings

How much money can you save while working from home during the coronavirus pandemic , and how do you calculate your total yearly savings ?
Do people actually save more money if they work from home ?
The simple answer is yes .
People are more likely to save more money ( and time ) if they work from home , especially during the coronavirus lockdown .
Consider how much money you spend on takeaway coffee , lunch , transportation and your close-to-the-office gym membership when working from your workplace , to just name a few expenses .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t have so while there may be bothersome elements to office life , many of us may feel prepared to do anything to get back to our early morning commutes , water-cooler conversations and meetings that could have been an email .
Let ’ s take a moment to look at the positive side of working from home , especially for those who find themselves needing to move their work life to their home life because of the coronavirus pandemic , as opposed to doing so by choice .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whopping 51 % of their average gross annual income on costs associated with work .
This data is based on an Australian who makes $ 80,049 per annum per year , and who requires childcare and transport to work .
This example shows the average worker could be spending $ 3426.50 a month on costs associated with simply going to work .
Can you save more money if you work from home ?
Consider if you can save more money by working from home by adding : • How much you spend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you spend on lunch out per week • How much you spend on fuel for your car to get to work per week • How much you spend on public transport to get to work per week • The cost of childcare each week • Any other costs that you pay due to your work life , such as gym membership , house cleaning , garden maintenance , pet care or grooming .
• How much money you spend on clothes ( solely ) for work each year • How much you spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your weekly expenses by 52 and then add all variables to your yearly costs .
Then add how much you can claim in working from home tax deductions .
Once you have gotten this far , deduct the additional expenses you are now spending while working from home , such as buying new furniture and an increase in your grocery bill .
Finally , deduct annual leave and/or yearly sick leave and you will be left with how much you could save in one year of working from home .
Obviously , none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a year , so divide by 12 to find monthly savings , and divide by four to calculate weekly savings .
The majority of us will find working from home is indeed saving us a lot of money .
We might feel even more motivated to save if we put this money into another account to mind for a rainy day .
While most of us would prefer to be out , about and back to normal , you can take solace in the fact you are saving money if your job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Mckinley Plowman are not far off from McCrindle ’ s , which report : • Singles under 35 spend , on average , $ 849 per week • Those over the age of 65 spend just under $ 900 per week .
According to Trading Economics , consumer spending has been steadily increasing since 2017 .
This modelling does not take into account that consumer spending is likely to fall due to unemployment rates , a loss in consumer confidence and the impending recession .
However , for now , if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project to focus on and take comfort while we are living through uncertainty .
Read : Will coronavirus cause a recession in Australia ?
| The most recent forecasts

Do people actually save more money if they work from home?
The simple answer is yes.
People are more likely to save more money (and time) if they work from home, especially during the coronavirus lockdown.


crikey--2020-04-16--The right's way of thinking about coronavirus shows it is a death cult

As the ideological right call for an end to lockdowns , it must be asked : are they ignoring the basic maths of the COVID-19 crisis , or are they just blissfully ignorant ?
Whatever else you can say about him , Chris Uhlmann sure has a way of getting the crowd on his feet .
Two days ago , the headline of his op-ed piece — “ blah blah grandparent loving embrace blah kill them who are we to stop them ?
” — shot around social media , the only public sphere remaining .
As the pelted rocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter — a medium he purports to despise — to denounce people for not reading past a sensationalist headline ( if only he had some sort of , I don ’ t know , editorial position which allowed him to control the pitch of Age/SMH headlines ) .
He was right , in that the article itself was somewhat more tentative than the headline .
Trouble is , it was also vacuous .
On an issue that it is crucial to get right , Nine ’ s political editor could offer no statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cliches about lockdown as “ the cure worse than the disease ” .
The piece was just another example of what has occurred among the ideological right over the last two weeks .
As the left , progressives , centre and most of the institutional right has remained committed to erring on the side of caution in supporting lockdown , the ideological right has peeled away , taking up a position that is pure “ politics-first ” , a simple rejection of inconvenient facts and forces that appear from outside the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ideological right has , for some time , not been a political formation that is in a relationship with external reality .
The Thatcherite world they wanted — a strong state enforcing traditional values and a “ free ” market within that — has been blown to pieces over the last decade as politics has been realigned .
One side is now a multicultural progressivism attached to the most dynamic parts of the economy , while the right relies on the rhetoric of a statist economic nationalism drawing support from the near-defunct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more insistent real than they have so far had to deal with , which exposes the inadequacy of their arguments , and their unwillingness to talk about the real problems all the more .
The position supporting lockdown is this ( it is necessary to repeat it , since none of it appears in right-wing articles ) : COVID-19 appears to have a basic reproduction rate ( R0 ) of around two , which means that anyone with it will infect two other people under normal conditions .
That is a basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of infection spread .
If that period is , say , a day , then the population of Australia could be infected from a single case in a 25-day period .
The object of lockdown and social distancing is to detach the effective reproduction rate ( RE ) from R0 , and push RE below one , at which point the virus will eventually die out under maintained conditions ( so far as I understand it ) .
Lockdowns imposed early in the virus ’ s spread — by Australia , NZ , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed the RE sharply below one quite early , thus saving thousands of people from nasty deaths and many thousands more from debilitating lung damage .
The right have latched onto this achievement and argued that it is evidence that forecasts of exponential growth were wrong .
In fact forecasts of exponential growth were acted on , thus turning an exponential progression ( one , two , four , eight… ) into an arithmetical ( one , two , three , four… ) one , in which only three or four new fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that is that if a process of arithmetical growth is then allowed to return to exponential growth , it will immediately trash any advantage gained immediately .
If it takes you 10 steps ( with a step as a day ) to slow the exponential growth , then you ’ ve hit 1000 cases ( 1024 to be exact , two to power of 10 ) .
If that is allowed to resume growth , then it is 2000 on the next day , and your 10 days preventive work has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a time lag of effect ) .
The RE has rejoined the R0 .
In other words , there ’ s an asymmetry in the process ( in terms of human interests ; not mathematically ) , which can wipe out hard won gains immediately .
Hence the wariness about coming out of a lockdown .
It ’ s not something you can try and then reverse your decision with no great cost .
And the maths shows why that is .
Now here ’ s the thing , with the ideological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates would have happened anyway or that an exponential process will not revive itself : it is impossible to tell whether people like Adam Creighton and Andrew Bolt simply do not understand the maths of the situation , and how swift action altered it .
It ’ s impossible to tell whether , in concluding that it ’ s been a beat-up and “ no worse than the flu ” they are being ( dimwittedly ) honest , or if they do understand it and are being duplicitous to a cynical and nihilistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes for Uhlmann ’ s fact-free piece — there is no indication within it that Nine ’ s political editor has even considered the maths associated with the virus , or understands it .
There is a strong undertow of fatalism in Uhlmann ’ s piece , and one can ’ t help but wonder if such arises from his Christian literalist views , scorning science altogether .
There is one piece of the “ back to work ” mob that has some figures , and that ’ s Sam Lovick ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which Lovick — an economist , not a public health expert — using “ authors figures ” , suggests an “ accelerated removal ” of lockdown would see 3000 extra deaths , largely from a shortage of ICU beds as a mini surge occurs .
So , near 3000 triage death sentences of people who might otherwise live , something Lovick doesn ’ t really spell out .
Also omitted from the piece is the real counter-strategy that is being talked of : that of bringing COVID-19 ’ s RE down so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That would put his death calculations in a starker contrast .
The problem , then , with the ideological right is not calculations of unit cost per human life , mortality curves , etc .
All that has to be done , and some sort of modifying of lockdowns may be necessary fairly soon .
What is largely absent from its discourse is any acknowledgement that this is an actual , sodding virus , with a process of replication that has the mathematical capacity to overwhelm us , to reverse all gains rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of — to not only resurge , but mutate .
How does that occur ?
Because their legitimation of global capitalism demands that nature be constructed as a passive and dominated force , bent to our ends .
The reverse can not be credited .
That is the root cause of climate change denialism , which persists because the full catastrophic effects are decades delayed .
COVID-19 is the nemesis to that hubris , immediate and unsparing , and in the face of it the ideological right retreats into cliches , rubbery figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard questions about how we get out of this and what needs to change before it all happens again .

Whatever else you can say about him, Chris Uhlmann sure has a way of getting the crowd on his feet. Two days ago, the headline of his op-ed piece — “blah blah grandparent loving embrace blah kill them who are we to stop them?” — shot around social media, the only public sphere remaining.
As the pelted rocks bounced off him, Uhlmann took to Twitter — a medium he purports to despise — to denounce people for not reading past a sensationalist headline (if only he had some sort of, I don’t know, editorial position which allowed him to control the pitch of Age/SMH headlines).
He was right, in that the article itself was somewhat more tentative than the headline.


crikey--2020-05-14--Worm: Lessons must be learnt, Gillard says

Good morning , early birds .
Julia Gillard is calling for an investigation into China 's original COVID-19 outbreak , and the Fair Work Commission is considering deferring minimum wage increases for JobKeeper-eligible companies .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Wood .
Julia Gillard has been appointed the next chair of UK-based research investment giant Wellcome Trust , the ABC reports , and will use the role to join calls for an investigation into China ’ s original coronavirus outbreak , “ not so that fingers can be pointed , but so that lessons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK is still in the thick of its own pandemic , Tories have told The Australian ( $ ) that a growing number of backbenchers and intelligence officials are becoming hawkish on China ’ s handling of the virus and potential to take over high-tech companies amid the looming recession .
PS : Former treasurer Joe Hockey has been hired by Macquarie Group NY to hunt down infrastructure deals in tech and renewables , The Australian Financial Review ( $ ) reports .
Following a record unemployment spike to 823,000 in April — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.7 million people undergoing some kind of negative employment change — The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a review of JobKeeper next month will consider extending the September 27 cut-off date with tightened eligibility .
Amid debate over how JobKeeper could evolve , the Fair Work Commission is considering deferring minimum wage increases for stressed companies operating under the scheme , The Australian ( $ ) reports .
WHAT OF JOBSEEKER ?
Mutual obligations have been paused until June , SBS reports .
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston has , however , used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card trials until December .
House Democrats have proposed a new US $ 3 trillion aid package — called the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions ( HEROES ) Act , to potentially be tabled today — that includes further one-off payments , extended unemployment benefits , hazard pay for frontline workers , increased testing and rent assistance , Forbes reports .
Republicans largely laughed off the proposal , and are expected to push for a litigation shield for businesses that reopen during the pandemic and a reduction of new unemployment benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the devil will be in the detail , earlier this month The Intercept reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supports bailouts for the lobbying industry .
Under its 2020 budget , the New Zealand government has unveiled a NZD $ 50 billion COVID response and recovery fund .
It includes an extension to NZ ’ s wage subsidy scheme , free training and apprenticeships , an 8,000 public housing build programme , NZD $ 3 billion in infrastructure support , 11,000 new environmental jobs , and more .
From midnight tonight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gradually easing restrictions on sport and recreation , with the relaunching of informal outdoor , non-contact sport and commercial pools .
From today , the Queensland government will allow digital prescriptions , so that vulnerable people can get medicines prescribed by their usual doctor and delivered by their pharmacy without having to leave the home .
The WA government has announced that all students will be required to return to school from next Monday , May 18 .
Separately , the government welcomed Rio Tinto Iron Ore ’ s $ 50,000 commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the COVID-19 pandemic .
South Australia has launched a new campaign and website — “ Seasonal Jobs SA ” — to help connect job-seekers with agricultural jobs and provide information about roles and requirements , places to stay and coronavirus restrictions .
With libraries set to slowly reopen across Tasmania on Monday , May 18 , the government has announced a trial “ click and collect ” approach to borrowing at the Launceston Library that , subject to success , will be extended as quickly as possible to other libraries .
THEY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again confirms that above-poverty-line JobSeeker rates will expire later this year , although one wonders how much incentive anyone trapped inside for two , let alone six months , will need to find work .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Limits on train commuters , more CBD parking and bike lanes as Sydney returns to work Union slams Premier ’ s claim that public servants have not sacrificed during coronavirus ( $ ) WorkSafe investigates after Maccas ’ staff told to stay at Fawkner Albanese dismisses calls from AWU boss Daniel Walton to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US senator steps aside amid FBI probe into pandemic stock sales Russia calls on New York Times , Financial Times to retract stories about coronavirus toll Taiwan Vice-President says the WHO has ‘ forgotten ’ neutrality by barring island Australia has dug itself into a hole in its relationship with China .
It ’ s time to find a way out — Tony Walker ( The Conversation ) : “ In diplomacy , as in life , if you find yourself in a hole it is better to stop digging .
Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for himself and his country as a consequence of an unwise intervention in the debate about China ’ s responsibility for a coronavirus pandemic.
” Recovery road map essential to help NT find its way out of economic hole ( $ ) — Ashley Manicaros ( The NT News ) : “ The Northern Territory has to be able to walk and chew gum if it is to climb out of the economic hole created over the past four years which is now deeper following the COVID-19 pandemic .
No one should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who will have lost their jobs during the pandemic , on top of the many hundreds who have lost their jobs in the past four years , we only manage to get less than half of them back to work.
” As pandemic plays out , Labor struggles for traction — David Crowe ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ Anthony Albanese found a new way to offer old advice when the Labor caucus met in Parliament House on Tuesday morning to prepare for a week when the usual political tactics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader told the assembled MPs they could not respond to the coronavirus pandemic by trying to fight every battle that came their way .
Like swimmers in a rolling surf , he said , they would have to dive under some of the waves.
” • New restrictions will allow outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people , cafes and restaurants to seat 10 patrons at any one time , up to five visitors at a household at any one time , and more .
• The joint standing committee on electoral matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 federal election .
• Pubs , cafes , restaurants , gyms and beauticians will be able to reopen at noon with some restrictions .

HAWKS GROW THEIR FLOCK
Julia Gillard has been appointed the next chair of UK-based research investment giant Wellcome Trust, the ABC reports, and will use the role to join calls for an investigation into China’s original coronavirus outbreak, “not so that fingers can be pointed, but so that lessons can be learned”.
While the UK is still in the thick of its own pandemic, Tories have told The Australian ($) that a growing number of backbenchers and intelligence officials are becoming hawkish on China’s handling of the virus and potential to take over high-tech companies amid the looming recession.
PS: Former treasurer Joe Hockey has been hired by Macquarie Group NY to hunt down infrastructure deals in tech and renewables, The Australian Financial Review ($) reports.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR JOBKEEPER?
Following a record unemployment spike to 823,000 in April — with, as Crikey noted yesterday, 2.7 million people undergoing some kind of negative employment change — The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a review of JobKeeper next month will consider extending the September 27 cut-off date with tightened eligibility.
Amid debate over how JobKeeper could evolve, the Fair Work Commission is considering deferring minimum wage increases for stressed companies operating under the scheme, The Australian ($) reports.
WHAT OF JOBSEEKER? Mutual obligations have been paused until June, SBS reports. Social Services Minister Anne Ruston has, however, used emergency regulatory powers to extend cashless welfare card trials until December.
US STIMULUS 4.0
House Democrats have proposed a new US$3 trillion aid package — called the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, to potentially be tabled today — that includes further one-off payments, extended unemployment benefits, hazard pay for frontline workers, increased testing and rent assistance, Forbes reports.
Republicans largely laughed off the proposal, and are expected to push for a litigation shield for businesses that reopen during the pandemic and a reduction of new unemployment benefits, according to NY Intelligencer. And while the devil will be in the detail, earlier this month The Intercept reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supports bailouts for the lobbying industry.
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THE NEW ZEALAND MODEL
Under its 2020 budget, the New Zealand government has unveiled a NZD$50 billion COVID response and recovery fund. It includes an extension to NZ’s wage subsidy scheme, free training and apprenticeships, an 8,000 public housing build programme, NZD$3 billion in infrastructure support, 11,000 new environmental jobs, and more.
STATE WRAP
From midnight tonight, the ACT will begin the first phase of gradually easing restrictions on sport and recreation, with the relaunching of informal outdoor, non-contact sport and commercial pools.
From today, the Queensland government will allow digital prescriptions, so that vulnerable people can get medicines prescribed by their usual doctor and delivered by their pharmacy without having to leave the home.
The WA government has announced that all students will be required to return to school from next Monday, May 18. Separately, the government welcomed Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s $50,000 commitment to fund the upskilling of apprentices displaced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Australia has launched a new campaign and website — “Seasonal Jobs SA” — to help connect job-seekers with agricultural jobs and provide information about roles and requirements, places to stay and coronavirus restrictions.
With libraries set to slowly reopen across Tasmania on Monday, May 18, the government has announced a trial “click and collect” approach to borrowing at the Launceston Library that, subject to success, will be extended as quickly as possible to other libraries.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
When you have what are effectively unemployment benefits through JobSeeker at the levels that they are … that can provide, in normal circumstances, a disincentive … for people to go and seek work. Scott Morrison
The prime minister once again confirms that above-poverty-line JobSeeker rates will expire later this year, although one wonders how much incentive anyone trapped inside for two, let alone six months, will need to find work.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Alarm raised over pandemic-linked mental health crisis
Canberra spent $10 million on inaccurate antibody tests
Australia’s Reserve Bank fuels call for post-pandemic renewables push
Territorians expected to spend $4 million as NT pubs, restaurants reopen ($)
Limits on train commuters, more CBD parking and bike lanes as Sydney returns to work
Union slams Premier’s claim that public servants have not sacrificed during coronavirus ($)
WorkSafe investigates after Maccas’ staff told to stay at Fawkner
Albanese dismisses calls from AWU boss Daniel Walton to stand up to China ($)
US senator steps aside amid FBI probe into pandemic stock sales
Russia calls on New York Times, Financial Times to retract stories about coronavirus toll
Taiwan Vice-President says the WHO has ‘forgotten’ neutrality by barring island
THE COMMENTARIAT
Australia has dug itself into a hole in its relationship with China. It’s time to find a way out — Tony Walker (The Conversation): “In diplomacy, as in life, if you find yourself in a hole it is better to stop digging. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has excavated a diplomatic cavity for himself and his country as a consequence of an unwise intervention in the debate about China’s responsibility for a coronavirus pandemic.”
Recovery road map essential to help NT find its way out of economic hole ($) — Ashley Manicaros (The NT News): “The Northern Territory has to be able to walk and chew gum if it is to climb out of the economic hole created over the past four years which is now deeper following the COVID-19 pandemic. No one should be satisfied if out of the 21,400 people, who will have lost their jobs during the pandemic, on top of the many hundreds who have lost their jobs in the past four years, we only manage to get less than half of them back to work.”
As pandemic plays out, Labor struggles for traction — David Crowe (The Sydney Morning Herald): “Anthony Albanese found a new way to offer old advice when the Labor caucus met in Parliament House on Tuesday morning to prepare for a week when the usual political tactics could not possibly work. The Opposition Leader told the assembled MPs they could not respond to the coronavirus pandemic by trying to fight every battle that came their way. Like swimmers in a rolling surf, he said, they would have to dive under some of the waves.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
National cabinet will meet today.
NSW and the ACT
New restrictions will allow outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, cafes and restaurants to seat 10 patrons at any one time, up to five visitors at a household at any one time, and more.
Hobart
The joint standing committee on electoral matters will hold a public inquiry into the 2019 federal election.
Northern Territory