crikey--2020-05-22--Western Australia: Social distancing rules, work, travel, fines, what's open?

Here is the latest on coronavirus social distancing rules in Western Australia .
This article will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed .
Social distancing in Western Australia began to ease from April 27 , when the number of people allowed to attend indoor and outdoor gatherings has increased to 10 people from the previous two-person rule .
Western Australia is now in Phase 2 of the state ’ s roadmap to recovery .
Here is the latest update on : • What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
Up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outdoor spaces in Western Australia , as long as responsible social distancing is maintained .
Residents of Western Australia are allowed to leave the home for recreational activities such as picnics , camping , fishing and boating .
As of May 18 , the following is permitted : • Up to 20 people can gather for non-work related activities in indoor and outdoor settings ; • Up to 20 people can gather for indoor weddings and funerals ; • Up to 30 people can gather for outdoor weddings and funerals ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meal service restaurants and bars , including those that exist within clubs , hotels , casinos , and pubs .
The Western Australian government says the public should continue to practice social distancing responsibly , including thorough hand washing , maintaining a safe distance from others and practising good domestic hygiene .
Public schools in Western Australia have been open since April 29 , with Years 11 and 12 strongly recommended to attend classes , although the decision for students to return to school is at the discretion of parents and carers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being made available for students who are continuing to learn from home .
The re-opening of schools , as well as distance education packages , will be accessed over the next three weeks , with necessary changes to be made depending on the outcome of sending students back to school .
To ensure safe social distancing is maintained , parents will be required to drop children at the school gate and not enter school grounds .
School canteens will only be providing takeaway services and school swimming pools will be closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps , excursions and inter-school activities will not be permitted .
All Western Australians are being urged to return to work unless they are unwell or vulnerable .
From March 31 , Western Australians have not been allowed to travel outside of their region .
Western Australian intrastate travel is defined as movement through the boundaries of the regions of Western Australia .
As of May 18 , travel is now allowed : • between the South West , Great Southern , Wheatbelt and Perth-Peel regions • between the Mid-West , Gascoyne and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) • within the Goldfields-Esperance region ( excluding the biosecurity zone ) • within Kimberley Local Government areas ( the Commonwealth ’ s biosecurity zone remains in place ) .
Travel exceptions are still required to cross the Western Australian border , as well as between the four regions .
Exceptions include travelling for work , seeking medical care , or returning to their place of residence .
There are also exceptions for people who need to travel on compassionate grounds , or who don ’ t have access to essential goods or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as for those who need to attend educational facilities outside of their region or who are transporting freight .
Currently , you can not enter Western Australia unless an exemption has been granted .
From April 29 , the free orange school bus service has been operating as before .
As of May 4 , public transport has been operating at 70 % of the normal weekday timetable .
What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
Police officers can issue fines of $ 1,000 to individuals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules .
To date , drones have also been used to break up public social gatherings and social distancing messages have been played through speakers in public areas to encourage people to adhere to the rules .
Read : Coronavirus statistics | When will the lockdown end ?

Social distancing in Western Australia began to ease from April 27, when the number of people allowed to attend indoor and outdoor gatherings has increased to 10 people from the previous two-person rule.
Western Australia is now in Phase 2 of the state’s roadmap to recovery.
(Image: WA.gov.au)
Here is the latest update on:


crikey--2020-04-21--Worm: What next for the Australian skies?

Virgin Australia ’ s chief executive Paul Scurrah believes the company could have new owners in as little as 2 months and it is predicted that unemployment will reach 10 % by June .
According to The Australian ( $ ) , Virgin Australia ’ s chief executive Paul Scurrah believes the company could have new owners in as little as 2 months , with Deloitte appointed as administrators , more than 10 potential buyers circling , and The Age reporting that even Victoria threw its hat in with QLD-NSW state offers .
Over at the AFR ( $ ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been tasked with ensuring Qantas does not abuse its market power to “ crush ” a restructured Virgin before it can re-establish itself .
The Australian ( $ ) also reports that Australia ’ s largest airport ground operation company , Swissport , will axe more than 80 % of its workforce within days and begin liquidating critical assets , creating yet another roadblock for a future return to the skies .
WHERE ARE YOUR BILLIONAIRE PHILANTHROPISTS NOW : Over at The Courier-Mail ( $ ) , you can cop a squiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Chinese billionaire stakeholders who refused to rescue the airline .
According to the ABC , three separate bodies have delivered dire economic news and warnings within just 24 hours : • New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics , based on Australian Taxation Office Single Touch Payroll data , show more than 700,000 Australians lost their job in the first week of April following business shutdowns and social-distancing limits ; • Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe warned Australia is headed to our biggest contraction in national output since the Great Depression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by about 10 % over the first half of the year and unemployment set to hit around 10 % by June ; and • Modelling by Victoria ’ s Department of Treasury and Finance forecasts unemployment could hit as high as 11 % in the September quarter , the gross state product could fall by 14 % relative to previous forecasts , and property prices could drop by as much as 9 % by the end of the year .
VICTORIA BORROWS BIG : With the Victorian government planning to take out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latter , The Age reports that the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has written to ministers warning against “ ad-hoc spending ” that does not address “ structural ” challenges .
Science of The Total Environment has released the first pre-proof study — that is , a peer-reviewed , formatted version of a report that ’ s not quite the definitive product — regarding the virus that leads to COVID-19 , SARS-CoV2 , in untreated wastewater in Australia .
Examining two Brisbane-adjacent treatment plants over the course of six days from March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Queensland researchers estimated that , given early uncertainties and variation , a median range of 171 to 1090 infected people .
The team , which now aims to build national collaboration , explained ahead of publication that the study acts as a proof of concept for a potential early-warning system — particularly for vulnerable populations where testing may otherwise not be feasible — as well as monitoring during the recovery phase .
Ahead of Queensland Parliament voting on rental measures tonight , Greens MP Michael Berkman has claimed in a Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limiting criteria for the eviction moratorium , has actually created new grounds for landlords to evict tenants on fixed-term leases if they want to sell a property with vacant possession .
The news comes after the state government spruiked new measures on Sunday as a “ fair middle ground ” between tenants and landlords , following a concerted campaign by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland last week .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Even accounting for some expected clap back against Malcolm Turnbull ’ s new book , this one feels like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALL ABOUT IT China accuses Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton of parroting US in ‘ propaganda war ’ over coronavirus origins Elective surgery restart will allow government to wind back support for private hospitals NSW Health says COVID-19 testing for anyone is inevitable Hobart COVID-19 survivor Michael Crew details his battle with the virus ( $ ) Child abuse , domestic attacks on the rise as virus drives crime Why Australian white supremacists and neo-Nazis are ‘ delighted ’ with the coronavirus outbreak Trump says he will impose immigration ban in bid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be the time , and the place , to sing about home Uncertainties abound as Lowe paints grim picture ( $ ) — Paul Kelly ( The Australian ) : “ Lowe ’ s speech was about certainties and probabilities .
The certainty is the bad news — output down by 10 per cent , mainly in the June quarter , total hours worked down by 20 per cent in the first half of 2020 , unemployment scaling 10 per cent and the worst economic hit since the Great Depression .
Nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and calls for release — Dr Hannah McGlade ( IndigenousX ) : “ The COVID 19 Pandemic has seen a raft of laws passed across all Australian states aimed at reducing the serious risk the virus poses , and while these new laws limit personal freedoms to protect health and safety , they also increase risk to Aboriginal people already face discrimination and racial profiling by the justice sector.
” We are living in a failed state — George Packer ( The Atlantic ) : “ When the virus came here , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it exploited them ruthlessly .
Chronic ills—a corrupt political class , a sclerotic bureaucracy , a heartless economy , a divided and distracted public—had gone untreated for years .
We had learned to live , uncomfortably , with the symptoms .
It took the scale and intimacy of a pandemic to expose their severity—to shock Americans with the recognition that we are in the high-risk category.
” • Malcolm Turnbull will deliver a National Press Club address on his new memoir , A Bigger Picture .
• The Australia Institute will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During Coronavirus ’ with media executive and composer Kim Williams and journalist Quentin Dempster to speak in conversation with chief executive Richard Denniss .

WHAT’S NEXT FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA?
According to The Australian ($), Virgin Australia’s chief executive Paul Scurrah believes the company could have new owners in as little as 2 months, with Deloitte appointed as administrators, more than 10 potential buyers circling, and The Age reporting that even Victoria threw its hat in with QLD-NSW state offers.
Over at the AFR ($), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been tasked with ensuring Qantas does not abuse its market power to “crush” a restructured Virgin before it can re-establish itself.
The Australian ($) also reports that Australia’s largest airport ground operation company, Swissport, will axe more than 80% of its workforce within days and begin liquidating critical assets, creating yet another roadblock for a future return to the skies.
WHERE ARE YOUR BILLIONAIRE PHILANTHROPISTS NOW: Over at The Courier-Mail ($), you can cop a squiz at some of the British, UAE and Chinese billionaire stakeholders who refused to rescue the airline.
ECONOMIC DISASTER, CONFIRMED
According to the ABC, three separate bodies have delivered dire economic news and warnings within just 24 hours:
New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, based on Australian Taxation Office Single Touch Payroll data, show more than 700,000 Australians lost their job in the first week of April following business shutdowns and social-distancing limits;
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe warned Australia is headed to our biggest contraction in national output since the Great Depression, with national output likely to fall by about 10% over the first half of the year and unemployment set to hit around 10% by June; and
warned Australia is headed to our biggest contraction in national output since the Great Depression, with national output likely to fall by about 10% over the first half of the year and unemployment set to hit around 10% by June; and Modelling by Victoria’s Department of Treasury and Finance forecasts unemployment could hit as high as 11% in the September quarter, the gross state product could fall by 14% relative to previous forecasts, and property prices could drop by as much as 9% by the end of the year.
VICTORIA BORROWS BIG: With the Victorian government planning to take out a $24.5 billion loan to address the latter, The Age reports that the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has written to ministers warning against “ad-hoc spending” that does not address “structural” challenges.
POOP OF CONCEPT FOR EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
Science of The Total Environment has released the first pre-proof study — that is, a peer-reviewed, formatted version of a report that’s not quite the definitive product — regarding the virus that leads to COVID-19, SARS-CoV2, in untreated wastewater in Australia.
Examining two Brisbane-adjacent treatment plants over the course of six days from March 20 to April 1, CSIRO and University of Queensland researchers estimated that, given early uncertainties and variation, a median range of 171 to 1090 infected people.
The team, which now aims to build national collaboration, explained ahead of publication that the study acts as a proof of concept for a potential early-warning system — particularly for vulnerable populations where testing may otherwise not be feasible — as well as monitoring during the recovery phase.
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WILL QUEENSLAND EXPAND EVICTION POWERS?
Ahead of Queensland Parliament voting on rental measures tonight, Greens MP Michael Berkman has claimed in a Twitter thread that the Palaszczuk government, in limiting criteria for the eviction moratorium, has actually created new grounds for landlords to evict tenants on fixed-term leases if they want to sell a property with vacant possession.
The news comes after the state government spruiked new measures on Sunday as a “fair middle ground” between tenants and landlords, following a concerted campaign by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland last week.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Why wouldn’t Australia put forward Tony Abbott as a nomination to head the World Health Organisation? Alan Jones
Even accounting for some expected clap back against Malcolm Turnbull’s new book, this one feels like a stretch ($).
READ ALL ABOUT IT
China accuses Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton of parroting US in ‘propaganda war’ over coronavirus origins
Elective surgery restart will allow government to wind back support for private hospitals
NSW Health says COVID-19 testing for anyone is inevitable
Hobart COVID-19 survivor Michael Crew details his battle with the virus ($)
Child abuse, domestic attacks on the rise as virus drives crime
Why Australian white supremacists and neo-Nazis are ‘delighted’ with the coronavirus outbreak
‘It’s a political thing’: Firearm industry fights coronavirus gun ban
Coronavirus NSW: Treasurer Dominic Perrottet’s plan to defy the virus gloom
Trump says he will impose immigration ban in bid to tackle coronavirus
For Sarah Blasko, this must be the time, and the place, to sing about home
THE COMMENTARIAT
Uncertainties abound as Lowe paints grim picture ($) — Paul Kelly (The Australian): “Lowe’s speech was about certainties and probabilities. The certainty is the bad news — output down by 10 per cent, mainly in the June quarter, total hours worked down by 20 per cent in the first half of 2020, unemployment scaling 10 per cent and the worst economic hit since the Great Depression. Nothing will stop this crunch.”
COVID urgency and calls for release — Dr Hannah McGlade (IndigenousX): “The COVID 19 Pandemic has seen a raft of laws passed across all Australian states aimed at reducing the serious risk the virus poses, and while these new laws limit personal freedoms to protect health and safety, they also increase risk to Aboriginal people already face discrimination and racial profiling by the justice sector.”
We are living in a failed state — George Packer (The Atlantic): “When the virus came here, it found a country with serious underlying conditions, and it exploited them ruthlessly. Chronic ills—a corrupt political class, a sclerotic bureaucracy, a heartless economy, a divided and distracted public—had gone untreated for years. We had learned to live, uncomfortably, with the symptoms. It took the scale and intimacy of a pandemic to expose their severity—to shock Americans with the recognition that we are in the high-risk category.”
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Australia (online)
Malcolm Turnbull will deliver a National Press Club address on his new memoir, A Bigger Picture.
The Australia Institute will host webinar event ‘Media Industry Crisis During Coronavirus’ with media executive and composer Kim Williams and journalist Quentin Dempster to speak in conversation with chief executive Richard Denniss.
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-05-24--Worm: We shan't fight him on the breaches

Good morning , early birds .
Boris Johnson has refused to sack senior adviser and Brexit mastermind Dominic Cummings over multiple lockdown breaches , and despite the $ 60 billion error , Josh Frydenberg stands firm on the JobKeeper eligibility criteria .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Amidst strict quarantine rules , CNN reports that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to sack senior adviser and Brexit mastermind Dominic Cummings over multiple lockdown breaches .
Despite calls from Tory MPs for Cummings ’ resignation , Johnson said Cummings had “ no alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay with his parents while his wife was sick with COVID-19 symptoms .
He did not , however , explain Cummings ’ other alleged travels in and out of north England .
WELL AT LEAST SOMEONE WILL BE PUNISHED : Following Johnson ’ s address , Sky News reports that the government will investigate a ( now deleted ) tweet from the Official Civil Service account reading “ Arrogant and offensive .
Can you imagine having to work with these truth twisters ?
” .
According to The New Daily , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morrison government to reinvest the $ 60 billion saved through undersubscription to the JobKeeper wage subsidy , either to the more than 1 million casual workers who were deemed ineligible or to other under-served areas .
However , writing in The Australian ( $ ) today , Josh Frydenberg has again maintained “ there are no plans for wholesale changes to the eligibility criteria under JobKeeper ” .
FUN FACT : That op-ed mentions “ JobSeeker ” and “ long-term casuals ” once , “ Labor ” five times , and “ Disability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total zero times .
Ahead of the Royal Commission into the Black Summer bushfires , The Guardian reports that six in ten Eden-Monaro respondents to a new GetUp poll believe the Coalition is not doing enough to tackle climate change .
However , with a coalition of 15 industry and community groups set to call for dual climate action and economic stimulus today , The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Energy Minister Angus Taylor will not make any cuts under the “ safeguard mechanism ” mandatory lest it turn into a carbon tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Over at The Australian ( $ ) , the Minerals Council of Australia are calling for yet another cut to company tax and faster project approvals to unlock “ $ 100 billion ” in resource investment .
Finally , The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has indicated that a trans-Tasman “ travel bubble ” could be created between NSW , Victoria and New Zealand even if Queensland holds out with state border controls .
• Victoria announced a new timeline for reopening the state , the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outdoor gatherings and cultural , sporting and community spaces to 20 people from midnight Sunday , 31 May .
• The NSW government launched a $ 50 million COVID-19 ‘ Rescue and Restart ’ package for the state ’ s arts and cultural sector , and announced state beauty and nail salons can reopen with other businesses from 1 June .
• The Queensland government welcomed the Study Queensland Luhrmann Appeal , a donation campaign launched by Lilly Luhrmann — daughter of film legend Baz — to be run in partnership with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit Study Queensland , charity “ warehouse ” GIVIT , and the Queensland Government Care Army .
• Ahead of biosecurity restrictions easing on 5 June , the NT government will today launch intra-Territory tourism campaign ‘ Time to be a Territorian ’ .
• The South Australian government announced the $ 5 million Nature-Based Tourism Co-Investment Fund , to run under the existing $ 22 million Parks 2025 program to fast-track recovery after both coronavirus restrictions and bushfires devastated much of the state .
• Tasmania outlined an expansion of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categories for targeted testing , and will expand their ‘ Click & Collect ’ service across more libraries this week .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Two days after a commission stacked with gas execs recommends the solution to a recession be more gas , the chair addresses conflict of interest concerns by skipping a few board meetings .
Problem solved !
READ ALL ABOUT IT ‘ Pork barrelling at its absolute worst ’ : How NSW ministers splashed $ 44m arts cash on Coalition seats How the University revenue crisis will test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secret link to state ’ s agreement on Belt and Road ( $ ) Not so fast : why bullet trains can ’ t revive NSW ’ s regions or relieve the pressure on Sydney — Marion Terrill ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ Faster regional trains were never likely to take much pressure off Sydney , nor revitalise regional cities and towns .
And a new Grattan Institute report shows that is even more true now .
Some regional rail upgrades may be worthwhile , but the label of ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to abandon cost-benefit discipline.
” Coronavirus : Cynical Palaszczuk exploits fear to save jobs … hers ( $ ) — Nick Cater ( The Australian ) : “ Yet we have reached the point in the Queensland electoral cycle where the only jobs that seem to matter are those of the governing party and its salaried acolytes .
The Premier – who is also Minister for Trade – seems indifferent to the jobs at risk from severing the economic artery that runs across the 69th parallel.
” Millions left to starve despite $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pocket — Asher Moses ( Voice of Action ) : “ Frydenberg also remains committed to reducing the Jobseeker dole payment in September to the $ 40 a day poverty level it was at before the crisis .
This will be a hard line to maintain as only last week Deputy Treasurer Michael Sukkar said hypothetically if Jobkeeper was only supporting 3 million people ( rather than the 6 million thought to be on it at the time ) then there would be a case for ‘ wholesale changes ’ to Jobkeeper eligibility.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Natural Disaster Arrangements during the 2019-20 bushfire season will hold an electronic public hearing .
• All students can return to school for face-to-face learning from today .

CUMMINGS AND GOINGS
Amidst strict quarantine rules, CNN reports that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to sack senior adviser and Brexit mastermind Dominic Cummings over multiple lockdown breaches.
Despite calls from Tory MPs for Cummings’ resignation, Johnson said Cummings had “no alternative” but to drive 420km across England to stay with his parents while his wife was sick with COVID-19 symptoms. He did not, however, explain Cummings’ other alleged travels in and out of north England.
WELL AT LEAST SOMEONE WILL BE PUNISHED: Following Johnson’s address, Sky News reports that the government will investigate a (now deleted) tweet from the Official Civil Service account reading “Arrogant and offensive. Can you imagine having to work with these truth twisters?”.
COALITION STANDS FIRM ON JOBKEEPER
According to The New Daily, a number of economists have called on the Morrison government to reinvest the $60 billion saved through undersubscription to the JobKeeper wage subsidy, either to the more than 1 million casual workers who were deemed ineligible or to other under-served areas.
However, writing in The Australian ($) today, Josh Frydenberg has again maintained “there are no plans for wholesale changes to the eligibility criteria under JobKeeper”.
FUN FACT: That op-ed mentions “JobSeeker” and “long-term casuals” once, “Labor” five times, and “Disability Support Pension/temporary visas holders/undocumented workers” a total zero times.
POLITICAL PRESSURE RAMPS UP CLIMATE ACTION
Ahead of the Royal Commission into the Black Summer bushfires, The Guardian reports that six in ten Eden-Monaro respondents to a new GetUp poll believe the Coalition is not doing enough to tackle climate change.
However, with a coalition of 15 industry and community groups set to call for dual climate action and economic stimulus today, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Energy Minister Angus Taylor will not make any cuts under the “safeguard mechanism” mandatory lest it turn into a carbon tax.
BUT WILL THEY LISTEN TO MINERS? Over at The Australian ($), the Minerals Council of Australia are calling for yet another cut to company tax and faster project approvals to unlock “$100 billion” in resource investment.
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BUBBLE WRAP
Finally, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has indicated that a trans-Tasman “travel bubble” could be created between NSW, Victoria and New Zealand even if Queensland holds out with state border controls.
STATE WRAP: VIC’S NEW SCHEDULE AND NSW’S $50M ARTS PACKAGE
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Because of the perceptions of conflict of interest [Nev Power] has stepped back from participating in board meetings and will not participate in the decisions of the board [of Strike Energy]. A spokesperson for the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission
Two days after a commission stacked with gas execs recommends the solution to a recession be more gas, the chair addresses conflict of interest concerns by skipping a few board meetings. Problem solved!
READ ALL ABOUT IT
‘Pork barrelling at its absolute worst’: How NSW ministers splashed $44m arts cash on Coalition seats
NSW Aboriginal child protection funding cut ahead of Sorry Day
Beijing to impose Hong Kong security laws ‘without delay’
How the University revenue crisis will test its generous super system
Adviser’s secret link to state’s agreement on Belt and Road ($)
US ambassador downplays Mike Pompeo’s ‘simply disconnect’ comms concerns
Homes damaged, thousands without power as ex-Tropical Cyclone Mangga impacts WA coast
Australia’s ‘failing’ environmental laws will fuel further public health crises, Nobel laureate warns
‘Incredibly blessed’: Royal commission to eye fire success and failure
THE COMMENTARIAT
Not so fast: why bullet trains can’t revive NSW’s regions or relieve the pressure on Sydney — Marion Terrill (The Sydney Morning Herald): “Faster regional trains were never likely to take much pressure off Sydney, nor revitalise regional cities and towns. And a new Grattan Institute report shows that is even more true now. Some regional rail upgrades may be worthwhile, but the label of ‘fiscal stimulus’ is not a licence to abandon cost-benefit discipline.”
Coronavirus: Cynical Palaszczuk exploits fear to save jobs … hers ($) — Nick Cater (The Australian): “Yet we have reached the point in the Queensland electoral cycle where the only jobs that seem to matter are those of the governing party and its salaried acolytes. The Premier – who is also Minister for Trade – seems indifferent to the jobs at risk from severing the economic artery that runs across the 69th parallel.”
Millions left to starve despite $60 billion in government’s back pocket — Asher Moses (Voice of Action): “Frydenberg also remains committed to reducing the Jobseeker dole payment in September to the $40 a day poverty level it was at before the crisis. This will be a hard line to maintain as only last week Deputy Treasurer Michael Sukkar said hypothetically if Jobkeeper was only supporting 3 million people (rather than the 6 million thought to be on it at the time) then there would be a case for ‘wholesale changes’ to Jobkeeper eligibility.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements during the 2019-20 bushfire season will hold an electronic public hearing.
Queensland and NSW


crikey--2020-05-19--Right now, Australia needs China more than it needs us

When it comes to dealing with the Chinese government , there is a big difference between sensible caution and needless @ @ @ @ @ wisely .
Recent events have shown just how economically dependent Australia is on China .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s call for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 -- will fade @ @ @ @ @ it as much due to context as content .
US President Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ China for the virus , and pushing the idea that Democratic rival Joe Biden is @ @ @ @ @ With names flying about , China is concerned about other countries taking sides .

Recent events have shown just how economically dependent
Australia is on China.
The proximate cause — Australia’s call for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 — will fade.
China was sensitive about it as much due to context as content. US President Donald Trump’s campaign ads are now blaming China for the virus, and pushing the idea that Democratic rival Joe Biden is too close to China. With names flying about, China is concerned about other countries taking sides.


crikey--2020-06-15--When will gyms open in Australia? Your state-by-state update

When will you be able to go back to the gym ?
Here are the latest details on when gyms will be opening in each state and territory .
When will gyms open in Australia ?
At this point , the majority of us are sick of wine on the couch , scrolling through social media , and the tightening of our waistbands that potentially shrunk in the wash but probably actually shrunk because you ’ ve been having a median of 16 slices of banana bread per week .
At this point , we might even go as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , when will gyms open in Australia ?
Here ’ s a state-by-state and territory-by-territory update on when gyms will be open again across Australia .
Gyms in New South Wales opened on June 13 .
At this point , public beaches have begun to open again so residents can resume swimming and surfing for exercise .
Outdoor boot camps with 10 people have also been reintroduced in public outdoor areas .
Non-contact sports with up to 10 people are also permitted as long as social distancing rules are adhered to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 22 .
Currently , Victorians are allowed to partake in outdoor sports such as golf , athletics , hiking , fishing and playing football with up to 10 players , so long as those taking part adhere to the social distancing rules in place .
Bootcamps with up to 10 people in outdoor public areas will now also be allowed for residents of Victoria .
Professional training for NRL and AFL has resumed .
Gyms in Queensland opened on June 13 , the date when the state is expected to enter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s recovery plan .
Gyms are now allowed up to 20 patrons at a time .
Gyms will need to ensure thorough sanitisation of gym equipment , as well as social distancing during sweat sessions .
Currently , Queenslanders are allowed to partake in outdoor activities .
Up to 10 people can play non-contact sports , attend out-door boot camps and group training sessions .
Gyms in Western Australia opened on May 18 , as the state entered stage two of the recovery plan .
Gyms in Western Australia are open for 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preliminary stage , patrons will be asked to bring as much of their own equipment as they can , such as yoga mats and boxing gloves .
Gyms will be avoiding the use of shared equipment during work-out sessions where possible and each business has been instructed to follow strict cleaning schedules to ensure that adequate disinfection is in place .
Ten people can now meet in Western Australia for recreational purposes , including outdoor boot camps and non-contact sports , as long as social distancing is in place .
Gyms in Tasmania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swimming pools and other indoor sporting venues as the state commences stage two of the recovery plan .
Residents of Tasmania are allowed to gather in groups of 10 for outdoor , socially safe recreational activities , such as exercising horses , boating , fishing and group fitness in outdoor areas , following the 1.5-metre rule .
Gyms in South Australia are allowed to open their doors to 20 patrons at a time .
Currently , 10 people are allowed to gather in groups for outdoor activities and a limited number of outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Northern Territory are open .
Local gyms have been open since May 15 , with strict cleaning and social distancing rules in place .
Gyms in the Australian Capital Territory opened on May 30 , gyms are allowed to open for 20 people .
Read : Can you have sex during the coronavirus pandemic ?

When will gyms open in Australia? At this point, the majority of us are sick of wine on the couch, scrolling through social media, and the tightening of our waistbands that potentially shrunk in the wash but probably actually shrunk because you’ve been having a median of 16 slices of banana bread per week.
At this point, we might even go as far as saying we miss the gym.
So, when will gyms open in Australia?
Here’s a state-by-state and territory-by-territory update on when gyms will be open again across Australia.


crikey--2020-03-10--Worm: $2.4 billion pledged for medical response

Good morning , early birds .
The government has approved a $ 2.4 billion medical package to tackle coronavirus , and Victoria 's premier is preparing for school shutdowns , event cancellations and mandatory working from home .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Both The Age and The Australian ( $ ) report the federal cabinet has approved a $ 2.4 billion medical package to tackle coronavirus , to include funds for over 100 pop-up fever clinics across the country and e-health services to help people with symptoms .
It follows a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinformation , the ABC reports .
FUN FACT : In separate , less welcome , research news , a UNSW lab overseen by one of Australia ’ s top cancer researchers has run out of federal funds , The Sydney Morning Herald reports .
For our now regular overnight coronavirus coverage , let ’ s take a look at how the states are doing .
• Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has signalled potential “ extreme measures ” for a future pandemic phase of the outbreak , including school shutdowns , event cancellations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC ) .
• Perth has opened its first dedicated clinic ( WAtoday ) .
• South Australia has launched the country ’ s first drive-thru testing clinic ( ABC ) — although South Korea beat it to that global title by at least a week ( CNN ) .
• Tasmanians are complaining of being knocked back for testing , even if they show symptoms ( The Mercury $ ) , just a day after Premier Peter Gutwein publicly considered fines for “ isolation scofflaws ” ( The Mercury $ ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantines across NSW ’ s major population centres , as the state records another 14 cases ( ABC ) .
• Business NSW has circulated legal advice to members stating they do not have to provide paid leave to permanent workers forced into isolation over virus concerns who have not yet been diagnosed ( The Australian $ ) .
• Italy has begun rolling out country-wide quarantine measures ( The Guardian ) .
• Wall Street has seen stocks surge after recording its worst day since the 2008 GFC ( Sydney Morning Herald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ramped up production of a drug experts hope could be a therapeutic treatment for coronavirus ( The Guardian ) .
• Finally , because Australian shoppers are not alone in their fear and miscommunication , France has had to tell its citizens that cocaine does not protect against the virus ( Evening Standard ) .
Ahead of George Pell ‘ s two-day appeal at the High Court today , The Australian ( $ ) reports several people have made inquiries with abuse lawyers about potential future action against the cardinal , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never went to trial .
According to The Age ‘ s appeal explainer , Pell ’ s lawyers will drill down on whether the jury that found him guilty could , on the evidence presented to them , fully explain the “ six missing minutes ” .
Legal experts have told the Senate inquiry into the sports rorts that Bridget McKenzie could be personally liable over the scandal , The Guardian reports .
FUN FACT : Because the sport rort updates just do not stop coming , the paper also reported six grants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marginal seat of Longman just ahead of the 2019 election .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The attorney-general and literal industrial relations minister suggests workers in retail , hospo and cleaning have enough stashed away so they need not work through a global health crisis .
Who says politicians on $ 357,247.50 are out of touch ?
READ ALL ABOUT IT NSW police chief denies advising PM on whether Angus Taylor should step down over doctored document Stationery chain kikki.K is placed into voluntary administration in tough retail environment How refugees succeed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors that matter University of Tasmania slashes degree offerings in cost cutting exercise to stay ‘ sustainable ’ Gun club and church with Liberal links awarded $ 40,000 in federal grants Scott Cam defends $ 347,000 taxpayer-funded pay packet , arguing everyone has to make a living Putin sets path to stay in power until 2036 Justice a casino in which there ’ s only one winner ( $ ) — Jason Falinski ( The Australian ) : “ Our legal system should be about justice , not profit , but the tax-haven-dwelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , the Australian Securities & Investments Commission was asked what it knew about the activities of litigation funders .
Remarkably , it knew nothing.
” The message to doctors has always been clear : if you get sick , do it on your own time — Ranjana Srivastava ( The Guardian ) : “ This festering wound of doctors was aggravated by the Victorian health minister , Jenny Mikakos , who chided a veteran general practitioner with mild viral symptoms for seeing patients after returning from an overseas trip.
” What could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Daniel Reeders ( Meanjin ) : “ Understanding the verdict as a legal fact preserves ‘ epistemic humility ’ —the simple acknowledgment that we weren ’ t there and we don ’ t know what happened .
The legal standard , beyond reasonable doubt , applies to the judgment of the case made against the accused , not the truth of the event.
” • Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick , ANU emeritus professor of strategic studies Hugh White and executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Peter Jennings will discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time For Plan B ?
” at the National Press Club .
• Former NSW fire chief Greg Mullins and climate councillor Professor Will Steffen will launch Summer of Crisis , the first comprehensive overview of the devastating climate impacts Australians experienced this summer .
• PETA will hand out free toilet paper with the message “ Wipe Out Animal-Borne Illness : Go Vegan ” printed on each sheet .
• Economist Ross Garnaut and Queensland Energy Minister Anthony Lynham will speak at a CEDA forum on building a sustainable energy economy .

FEDERAL FUNDING
Both The Age and The Australian ($) report the federal cabinet has approved a $2.4 billion medical package to tackle coronavirus, to include funds for over 100 pop-up fever clinics across the country and e-health services to help people with symptoms.
It follows a $30 million advertising pledge to battle misinformation, the ABC reports.
FUN FACT: In separate, less welcome, research news, a UNSW lab overseen by one of Australia’s top cancer researchers has run out of federal funds, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
VIRUS WATCH
For our now regular overnight coronavirus coverage, let’s take a look at how the states are doing.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has signalled potential “extreme measures” for a future pandemic phase of the outbreak, including school shutdowns, event cancellations, and entire sectors working from home (ABC).
has signalled potential “extreme measures” for a future pandemic phase of the outbreak, including school shutdowns, event cancellations, and entire sectors working from home (ABC). Perth has opened its first dedicated clinic (WAtoday).
South Australia has launched the country’s first drive-thru testing clinic (ABC) — although South Korea beat it to that global title by at least a week (CNN).
Tasmanians are complaining of being knocked back for testing, even if they show symptoms (The Mercury $), just a day after Premier Peter Gutwein publicly considered fines for “isolation scofflaws” (The Mercury $).
publicly considered fines for “isolation scofflaws” (The Mercury $). A Sydney doctor is calling for quarantines across NSW’s major population centres, as the state records another 14 cases (ABC).
Business NSW has circulated legal advice to members stating they do not have to provide paid leave to permanent workers forced into isolation over virus concerns who have not yet been diagnosed (The Australian $).
ON THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT
Italy has begun rolling out country-wide quarantine measures (The Guardian).
Wall Street has seen stocks surge after recording its worst day since the 2008 GFC (Sydney Morning Herald).
A US biotech firm has ramped up production of a drug experts hope could be a therapeutic treatment for coronavirus (The Guardian).
Finally, because Australian shoppers are not alone in their fear and miscommunication, France has had to tell its citizens that cocaine does not protect against the virus (Evening Standard).
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PELL’S HIGH COURT APPEAL
Ahead of George Pell‘s two-day appeal at the High Court today, The Australian ($) reports several people have made inquiries with abuse lawyers about potential future action against the cardinal, including potential civil action over criminal charges that never went to trial.
According to The Age‘s appeal explainer, Pell’s lawyers will drill down on whether the jury that found him guilty could, on the evidence presented to them, fully explain the “six missing minutes”.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Legal experts have told the Senate inquiry into the sports rorts that Bridget McKenzie could be personally liable over the scandal, The Guardian reports.
FUN FACT: Because the sport rort updates just do not stop coming, the paper also reported six grants worth $260,000 were approved for the marginal seat of Longman just ahead of the 2019 election.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Many people would have already made provisions for that [coronavirus-related sick leave] because of course the purpose of casual employment is that you’re paid extra in lieu of entitlements. Christian Porter
The attorney-general and literal industrial relations minister suggests workers in retail, hospo and cleaning have enough stashed away so they need not work through a global health crisis. Who says politicians on $357,247.50 are out of touch?
READ ALL ABOUT IT
NSW police chief denies advising PM on whether Angus Taylor should step down over doctored document
Stationery chain kikki.K is placed into voluntary administration in tough retail environment
Universities rewrite Confucius Institute contracts amid foreign influence scrutiny
How refugees succeed in visa reviews: new research reveals the factors that matter
University of Tasmania slashes degree offerings in cost cutting exercise to stay ‘sustainable’
Australia’s carryover climate credits are setting a dangerous precedent
Palaszczuk Government blames magistrates for youth crime chaos ($)
Gun club and church with Liberal links awarded $40,000 in federal grants
Scott Cam defends $347,000 taxpayer-funded pay packet, arguing everyone has to make a living
Putin sets path to stay in power until 2036
THE COMMENTARIAT
Justice a casino in which there’s only one winner ($) — Jason Falinski (The Australian): “Our legal system should be about justice, not profit, but the tax-haven-dwelling litigation funders have other ideas. Last Friday, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission was asked what it knew about the activities of litigation funders. Remarkably, it knew nothing.”
The message to doctors has always been clear: if you get sick, do it on your own time — Ranjana Srivastava (The Guardian): “This festering wound of doctors was aggravated by the Victorian health minister, Jenny Mikakos, who chided a veteran general practitioner with mild viral symptoms for seeing patients after returning from an overseas trip.”
What could we make of a Pell acquittal? — Daniel Reeders (Meanjin): “Understanding the verdict as a legal fact preserves ‘epistemic humility’—the simple acknowledgment that we weren’t there and we don’t know what happened. The legal standard, beyond reasonable doubt, applies to the judgment of the case made against the accused, not the truth of the event.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick, ANU emeritus professor of strategic studies Hugh White and executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Peter Jennings will discuss “Australia’s Future Submarines — Time For Plan B?” at the National Press Club.
Sydney
Former NSW fire chief Greg Mullins and climate councillor Professor Will Steffen will launch Summer of Crisis, the first comprehensive overview of the devastating climate impacts Australians experienced this summer.
PETA will hand out free toilet paper with the message “Wipe Out Animal-Borne Illness: Go Vegan” printed on each sheet.
Brisbane


crikey--2020-03-09--Coronavirus raises big questions for the Olympics beyond 2020

Between the coronavirus and the flagging fortunes of Seven , Nine and News Corp , the future of Olympics coverage @ @ @ @ @ up in the air .
The International Olympic Committee 's ( IOC ) news last @ @ @ @ @ games will go ahead encouraged some , but it failed to have an impact on @ @ @ @ @ price .
The Australian rights holder to the games will be lucky to survive the @ @ @ @ @ , the latest oil price collapse and the damage that does to the Australian economy @ @ @ @ @ Monday morning ’ s stock market rout , Seven hit a new all-time low of @ @ @ @ @ at 11.5 cents , valuing the network at just $ 177 million ( compared to @ @ @ @ @ ago ) .

The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) news last week that the Tokyo Summer games will go ahead encouraged some, but it failed to have an impact on the Seven West Media share price.
The Australian rights holder to the games will be lucky to survive the strains from the COVID-19 virus, the latest oil price collapse and the damage that does to the Australian economy and advertising spending.
In Monday morning’s stock market rout, Seven hit a new all-time low of 10.5 cents. It closed at 11.5 cents, valuing the network at just $177 million (compared to $4.1 billion nine years ago).


crikey--2020-03-09--A recession is all but certain

A recession is all but certain

Good morning , early birds .
Australia is all but certainly headed for a recession , and the Coalition is @ @ @ @ @ pensioners , Newstart recipients and small businesses as part of its stimulus package .
It @ @ @ @ @ to know , with Chris Woods .
CORONAVIRUS WRECKS THE ECONOMY , WHATEVER THAT IS @ @ @ @ @ oil have seen global stocks plummet overnight , with CNN reporting the NYSE temporarily suspended @ @ @ @ @ drop and comparable falls across China , the UK , and most other markets .
@ @ @ @ @ Australia is all but certainly headed for our first recession since 1991 , after a @ @ @ @ @ or $ 140 billion yesterday , that was in part due to bloodletting on oil @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia .
TALKING POINT : While yes , most of that certainly sounds grim @ @ @ @ @ mean local petrol prices could soon drop to $ 1 a litre .
Silver linings @ @ @ @

CORONAVIRUS WRECKS THE ECONOMY, WHATEVER THAT IS
Coronavirus fears and plunges in oil have seen global stocks plummet overnight, with CNN reporting the NYSE temporarily suspended trading after a 7% drop and comparable falls across China, the UK, and most other markets.
According to The Guardian, Australia is all but certainly headed for our first recession since 1991, after a dive of 7.33%, or $140 billion yesterday, that was in part due to bloodletting on oil prices and increased production by Saudi Arabia.
TALKING POINT: While yes, most of that certainly sounds grim, the last bit does mean local petrol prices could soon drop to $1 a litre. Silver linings and all that!
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
The Coalition is considering fast-tracked, one-off cash payments for pensioners, Newstart recipients and small businesses as part of its stimulus package, to be finalised today (The Australian $).
The government is poised to break its self-imposed $600 billion debt ceiling in response to the financial crises (The Sydney Morning Herald).
The Sickness Payment will, apparently, still be scrapped as part of social service payment consolidations from March 20 (The Guardian).
Private labs have been called in to help with national testing as the healthdirect hotline becomes swamped by calls (The Australian $), and even doctors complaining of not being able to be tested (The Age).
Western Australia will today begin rolling out dedicated clinics for suspected coronavirus cases, with other states soon to follow (The Conversation).
A prison riot in Italy over quarantine measures, including visitation limits, has killed six people (ABC).
NZ FAR-RIGHT EXTREMIST PLANNED TERROR CELL
According to chat logs supplied by anti-fascist research group the White Rose Society, New Zealand outlet Newsroom reports an anonymous member of white supremacist group ‘Action Zealandia’ has discussed purchasing firearms from the black market and creating terror cells across the country.
TALKING POINT: The far-right member, “Matt”, speaks of being directly inspired by the Christchurch shooter, and used the encrypted platform Telegram, which has long been identified by ASIO as the terrorist’s “app of choice”.
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BECAUSE IT’S BEEN TWO DAYS, HERE’S ANOTHER RORT
According to The Guardian, and as exposed in a February New Matilda investigation, former Indigenous affairs minister Nigel Scullion spent the final weeks of his term approving millions of dollars worth of grants from an Indigenous disadvantage fund for groups such as Twiggy Forrest’s Fortescue Metals, retail giant Wesfarmers, NRL clubs, and Catholic and Anglican welfare organisations.
TALKING POINT: In one of the most curious examples of priorities, Fortescue received a $3.82 million grant for “strategic activities that focus on getting Indigenous Australians into work, fostering Indigenous business and assisting Indigenous people to generate economic and social benefits from effective use of their land, particularly in remote areas”.
POLICE TO INVESTIGATE POLICE MINISTER, AGAIN
NSW Police has launched an investigation into Police Minister David Elliott, The Sydney Morning Herald reports, after photographs emerged of him allegedly shooting two prohibited weapons — a fully-automatic submachine gun and a semi-automatic pistol — at a shooting range in 2018 without a relevant licence.
FUN FACT: After that road rage incident, the strip search advice, and the mid-bushfire vacation, this makes for what, four controversies for Elliot in as many months? Check out Crikey‘s guide for some of the pre-November 2019 ones.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
The page you’re looking for could not be found. Shop Liberal’s “Back in Black” website
Sure, it’s petty, and the surplus never mattered anyway, but it is still awfully funny to watch those mugs disappear.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Huawei gives up on Australia in short term but wants probe of 5G competitors
In a single, shared casket, Hannah Clarke and her precious babies are laid to rest
Facebook sued by Australian information watchdog over Cambridge Analytica-linked data breach
‘Paedophilia permeates the Hollywood industry’: Corey Feldman’s explosive documentary ($)
Gaslighting on emissions: IEEFA says burning LNG “worse than coal” for climate
Stranded, but western towns rejoice as ‘old friend comes home’
Afghan president-elect and rival both delay swearing-in ceremonies as both claim election victory
In a first, Twitter flags video retweeted by Trump as ‘manipulated media’
A legal climate change: Heathrow expansion on hold over UK’s Paris promise
Sexual harassment in the playground called out on Q+A during episode focussed on education
So you think you have coronavirus: what Australians should do if they are unwell
THE COMMENTARIAT
Government will have to weigh surplus against recession ($) — Craig Emerson (Australian Financial Review): “During the global financial crisis of 2008, the Rudd government feared a run on the banks. The recent run on loo paper, which seems far more innocuous, could actually signal a looming economic crisis of similar magnitude.”
Emergence of neo-Nazis must be countered through education — Sharyn Mittelman (The Age): “When ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess warned that neo-Nazis have emerged as one of Australia’s most challenging security threats, many Australians would have experienced a collective chill.”
Labor must work out why it keeps losing elections ($) — Troy Bramston (The Australian): “Labor, as I have written for more than a decade, faces a crisis that goes to its structure and membership, its constituency, and its philosophy and policies. It has lost voters to parties on its left and right flanks.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Sydney
Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese will speak at the AFR‘s two-day summit, “Investing for Growth”.
Melbourne
Former Greens leader Bob Brown will discuss the climate and bushfire crises on Sally Warhaft’s Fifth Estate podcast at the Wheeler Centre.
The Victorian Artists Society will host a 150th anniversary celebration.
Hobart
Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker RSV Aurora Australis will depart to sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island for its final voyage.
Townsville, Queensland


crikey--2020-03-09--Virus Watch: market rout, workers rights, and kids will be kids

The stock market has tumbled this morning as concerns about the coronavirus grow .
The Australian stock market has tumbled @ @ @ @ @ than $ 100 billion ) this morning -- with the ASX 200 dropping below the @ @ @ @ @ day since the global financial crisis .
Italy has placed 16 million people -- including @ @ @ @ @ northern region of Lombardy -- under quarantine , prohibiting travel and cancelling all public events @ @ @ @ @ The move , also affecting parts of tourist hotspots Milan and Venice , affects a @ @ @ @ @ .

Stock market shock
The Australian stock market has tumbled by 5% (more than $100 billion) this morning — with the ASX 200 dropping below the 6000-point barrier, its worst day since the global financial crisis.
Italy on lockdown
Italy has placed 16 million people — including all 10 million in the northern region of Lombardy — under quarantine, prohibiting travel and cancelling all public events in the affected area.
The move, also affecting parts of tourist hotspots Milan and Venice, affects a quarter of Italy’s population.


crikey--2020-05-03--Worm: Morrison's official complaint to the ABC

The PM 's office has a thing or two to say about the ABC 's reporting on the COVIDSafe app .
According to The Australian ( $ ) , the office of the Prime Minister has complained to the ABC over reporting by ABC investigative journalist Dylan Welch about the COVIDSafe app .
Reportedly , the email from media adviser Nick Creevey to ABC news director Gaven Morris complained that Welch ’ s April 24 report into Amazon ’ s storage contract was “ unnecessarily alarmist ” .
If you too fear being alarmed , do not check out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US could pursue to obtain stored data .
BUT DOES THE APP WORK ?
The news comes after the ABC reported yesterday that , even after 4 million downloads , the app ’ s tracing capability is not yet available to state and territory health officials .
More than 180 community groups have signed an open letter calling on the Morrison government to extend Medicare , JobSeeker , JobKeeper and visa stability to the 1.1 million people residing in Australia on a temporary visa .
The SMH , citing similar concerns over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also warned that not supporting vulnerable people during pandemics increases their need to be around people to survive — i.e .
food , drink , shelter etc — and therefore the risk to personal and public health .
PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING : The news comes as The NT News ( $ ) reports Foodbank NT has had to start sending “ anywhere from 350 to 430 hampers a week ” to international students .
THE US OPENS UP According to a WHO situation report , the US experienced a record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , May 1 , just as CNBC reports that dozens of states begin to unwind restrictions .
Separate reporting mechanisms mean the WHO ’ s figures differ slightly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , but the figure is a substantial increase on the previous record — 2471 people on April 23 — and comes as states such as Georgia , South Carolina , Tennessee and Texas allow non-essential retailers to reopen .
A SCREENING FOR A SCREENING : In one of the more unbelievable examples , Variety reports that two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ airport security-style check-in ” , to include questions over potential household exposure and infrared temperature screening .
• South Australia has recorded its 11th-straight day with zero new cases , and The Australian ( $ ) reports that the state government is set to lift the ban on regional travel within days .
• Victoria has announced a $ 14 million zoos package to be shared across Zoos Victoria ’ s three sites .
The state also announced that $ 40 million from the existing business support fund will go towards rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Together , the state ’ s new online arts up , aired its first series “ The State Of Music ” .
• NSW will roll out 60-minute testing with polymerase chain reaction kits across 29 additional labs for high-risk patients .
Following a six-week shutdown , property agents and vendors will also be able to hold traditional inspections and on-site auctions across the state .
• Queensland launched “ Boost Your Healthy ” , a series of online videos about turning backyards into gyms during the pandemic .
It features sports stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Neill and John Millman .
• Darwin ’ s Street Art Festival will officially go ahead this month .
And , as part of a revamped Territory Day celebration , students will be asked to send in videos to Black Rock Band ’ s song “ Family ” .
• Tasmania ’ s state government has announced a partnership with the federal government that will provide an additional $ 1.4 million to family and sexual violence groups .
The state also announced that a “ bigger and better hyperbaric chamber ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine for patient treatment .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Linking immigration to unemployment hasn ’ t gone down well with economists , anti-racism groups , or even some Labor colleagues , but at least the opposition ’ s Home Affairs spokesperson has uh… One Nation on side .
READ ALL ABOUT IT NSW Deputy Premier will not contest Eden-Monaro , paving way for his cabinet colleague Daughter claims 97-year-old mum died of dehydration under the care of inexperienced staff ( $ ) Cost of submarine project blows out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fletcher and the film and TV industry move to fix insurance block ( $ ) Private health cancer patients stung more than those without Elimination of COVID-19 possible in Victoria if lockdown endures A very different economy is taking shape ( $ ) — Laura Tingle ( AFR ) : “ A specific date for the [ Eden-Monaro ] byelection — yet to be announced but expected by many in Canberra to come in late June — will become a standard mention in stories about how quickly the economy is deteriorating or improving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs , what restrictions remain on businesses , and what other decisions have been taken by the government.
” We ’ re paying the price for the government ’ s deceit — Michael Pascoe ( The New Daily ) : “ The federal government would like downloads of the COVIDSafe app to be a guide to loosening the lockdown .
Unfortunately , it is starting to look more like a measure of the government ’ s trust deficit .
The government is aiming for at least 10 million downloads for the mobile phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus spread .
The score so far is less than half that.
” The other death toll from the coronavirus pandemic — Eda Seyhan ( Al Jazeera ) : “ Almost three weeks into the lockdown in Nigeria , more people had died at the hands of police enforcing coronavirus restrictions than from the virus itself .
Videos of Indian police officers forcing migrant workers to hop and crawl along a road and attacking street vendors went viral .
In the US , a group of seven police officers violently dragged a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear a face mask .
”

MORRISON COMPLAINS TO ABC
According to The Australian ($), the office of the Prime Minister has complained to the ABC over reporting by ABC investigative journalist Dylan Welch about the COVIDSafe app.
Reportedly, the email from media adviser Nick Creevey to ABC news director Gaven Morris complained that Welch’s April 24 report into Amazon’s storage contract was “unnecessarily alarmist”. If you too fear being alarmed, do not check out the follow-up report into other legal avenues the US could pursue to obtain stored data.
BUT DOES THE APP WORK? The news comes after the ABC reported yesterday that, even after 4 million downloads, the app’s tracing capability is not yet available to state and territory health officials.
TEMPORARY VISA TROUBLES
More than 180 community groups have signed an open letter calling on the Morrison government to extend Medicare, JobSeeker, JobKeeper and visa stability to the 1.1 million people residing in Australia on a temporary visa.
The SMH, citing similar concerns over the disability support pension, reports that epidemiologists have also warned that not supporting vulnerable people during pandemics increases their need to be around people to survive — i.e. food, drink, shelter etc — and therefore the risk to personal and public health.
PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING: The news comes as The NT News ($) reports Foodbank NT has had to start sending “anywhere from 350 to 430 hampers a week” to international students.
THE US OPENS UP
According to a WHO situation report, the US experienced a record death toll of 2909 people on Friday, May 1, just as CNBC reports that dozens of states begin to unwind restrictions.
Separate reporting mechanisms mean the WHO’s figures differ slightly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the figure is a substantial increase on the previous record — 2471 people on April 23 — and comes as states such as Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas allow non-essential retailers to reopen.
A SCREENING FOR A SCREENING: In one of the more unbelievable examples, Variety reports that two cinemas in Texas will reopen today with “airport security-style check-in”, to include questions over potential household exposure and infrared temperature screening.
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STATE WRAP
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
While Australia’s high level of migration played a key role in our economic prosperity, in recent years the shape and size of our intake has hurt many Australian workers, contributing to unemployment, underemployment and low wage growth. Kristina Keneally
Linking immigration to unemployment hasn’t gone down well with economists, anti-racism groups, or even some Labor colleagues, but at least the opposition’s Home Affairs spokesperson has uh… One Nation on side.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Melbourne’s teen suicides surge during state’s coronavirus lockdown
Former North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley in custody
NSW Deputy Premier will not contest Eden-Monaro, paving way for his cabinet colleague
Daughter claims 97-year-old mum died of dehydration under the care of inexperienced staff ($)
$300 million clean energy fund to back fossil-fuel hydrogen projects
Cost of submarine project blows out by $10 billion ($)
Fletcher and the film and TV industry move to fix insurance block ($)
‘Two-billion-dollar asset’: don’t sell digital arm, Grant warns NRL
Private health cancer patients stung more than those without
Elimination of COVID-19 possible in Victoria if lockdown endures
Coronavirus: Iran set to reopen mosques in low-risk areas
THE COMMENTARIAT
A very different economy is taking shape ($) — Laura Tingle (AFR): “A specific date for the [Eden-Monaro] byelection — yet to be announced but expected by many in Canberra to come in late June — will become a standard mention in stories about how quickly the economy is deteriorating or improving, how many people have lost their jobs, what restrictions remain on businesses, and what other decisions have been taken by the government.”
We’re paying the price for the government’s deceit — Michael Pascoe (The New Daily): “The federal government would like downloads of the COVIDSafe app to be a guide to loosening the lockdown. Unfortunately, it is starting to look more like a measure of the government’s trust deficit. The government is aiming for at least 10 million downloads for the mobile phone app to be effective in helping control the coronavirus spread. The score so far is less than half that.”
The other death toll from the coronavirus pandemic — Eda Seyhan (Al Jazeera): “Almost three weeks into the lockdown in Nigeria, more people had died at the hands of police enforcing coronavirus restrictions than from the virus itself. Videos of Indian police officers forcing migrant workers to hop and crawl along a road and attacking street vendors went viral. In the US, a group of seven police officers violently dragged a man off a bus for failing to wear a face mask.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-05-10--Albo's need for high speed

Albo's need for high speed

Good morning , early birds .
Anthony Albanese has a high-speed vision for the economy post-COVID-19 , and Chinese authorities are facing a potential new wave of coronavirus cases .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
According to The Sydney Morning Herald and ABC , Labor leader Anthony Albanese will today deliver a broad vision statement calling for decentralisation , manufacturing , social housing construction , and ( his personal favourite ) a high-speed rail as part of a “ once-in-a-generation ” chance to reshape the economy post-COVID-19 .
Albanese will also dismiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ bounce back ” economy as other Labor MPs suggest payments for JobSeeker and JobKeeper may need to be extended after September , SBS reports .
This follows a report from SkyNews that the Coalition is “ seriously considering ” winding them down from July .
IN CASE WE NEEDED ANOTHER REASON : A new Deloitte report suggests unemployment is unlikely to return to pre-crisis levels until late-2024 , according to The New Daily .
As The Sydney Morning Herald reports , Chinese authorities are facing a potential new wave of COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Jilin province has been reclassified as the highest-risk category , as Wuhan reports its first new case in a month .
Meanwhile , The AFR ( $ ) reports that Canberra is grappling with a 10-day deadline to convince Beijing not to raise tariffs of more than 80 % on imports of Australian barley .
Finally , the ABC has unpacked a press release from China rebutting 24 “ preposterous allegations ” by US politicians over its handling of the outbreak ; these range from denying the “ man made ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expulsion of US journalists as a weird tit-for-tat .
IN MORE GOSSIPY NEWS : According to The SMH , Malaysia ’ s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has backed a measured inquiry into the original outbreak , while The Guardian has George Christensen issuing a far-less tactful threat to summon the Chinese ambassador to a parliamentary committee .
Following the release of Scott Morrison ‘ s broad , three-step plan to ease restrictions , the Queensland , Tasmania , ACT and South Australian governments have all unveiled roadmaps to reopening .
South Australia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , will allow groups of up to 10 people in cafes and libraries from today .
Yesterday , Western Australia released its own guide — notably with ‘ phase two ’ , May 18 , to bring the number of intra-state borders from 13 to only four ( not including the Commonwealth Biosecurity zone and remote communities ) — while NSW announced it will allow outdoor and cafe gatherings of 10 from this Friday .
AND THEN THERE WAS ONE : According to The Age , Victoria will have to wait until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
The state will also see a $ 20 million funding boost to mass-testing as cases continue to be traced from the Cedar Meats outbreak .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Faced with news that a White House staffer has tested positive for COVID-19 , the president of the United States takes aim at the linear nature of time .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Fauci in quarantine as Trump projects confidence and urges states to reopen The case for building a COVID-proof fence ( $ ) — Grant Wilson ( The AFR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Northern Territory and South Australia remain closed , in the way they are today .
Interstate travel would recommence , but not across this ‘ COVID-proof fence ’ without an exemption or quarantine .
Importantly , rather than providing negative incentives for the west to ‘ catch down ’ to the east , the east would be provided with positive incentives to catch up to the west.
” Coronavirus : Morrison must stage a dramatic rescue of the arts ( $ ) — Josh Burns ( The Australian ) : “ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an arts policy that was designed to ‘ pull the threads of Australia ’ s national life together so we can ride the waves of global change and create our own ’ .
These objectives are just as vital today as we face an arts sector on its knees.
” A-lop-bam-boom : Little Richard ’ s saucy style underpins today ’ s hits — Rebecca Sheehan ( The Conversation ) : “ Little Richard was washing dishes at a Greyhound bus station in Macon , Georgia when he wrote Tutti Frutti , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sally .
The singer , who died Saturday at 87 , sent the songs as demos to Specialty Records .
”

ALBO FINALLY SAYS SOMETHING
According to The Sydney Morning Herald and ABC, Labor leader Anthony Albanese will today deliver a broad vision statement calling for decentralisation, manufacturing, social housing construction, and (his personal favourite) a high-speed rail as part of a “once-in-a-generation” chance to reshape the economy post-COVID-19.
Albanese will also dismiss Scott Morrison‘s rhetoric about a “bounce back” economy as other Labor MPs suggest payments for JobSeeker and JobKeeper may need to be extended after September, SBS reports. This follows a report from SkyNews that the Coalition is “seriously considering” winding them down from July.
IN CASE WE NEEDED ANOTHER REASON: A new Deloitte report suggests unemployment is unlikely to return to pre-crisis levels until late-2024, according to The New Daily.
CHINA FIGHTS BATTLES ON MULTIPLE FRONTS
As The Sydney Morning Herald reports, Chinese authorities are facing a potential new wave of COVID-19 cases in north-east China, where a city in the Jilin province has been reclassified as the highest-risk category, as Wuhan reports its first new case in a month.
Meanwhile, The AFR ($) reports that Canberra is grappling with a 10-day deadline to convince Beijing not to raise tariffs of more than 80% on imports of Australian barley.
Finally, the ABC has unpacked a press release from China rebutting 24 “preposterous allegations” by US politicians over its handling of the outbreak; these range from denying the “man made” conspiracy theory to trying to justify the expulsion of US journalists as a weird tit-for-tat.
IN MORE GOSSIPY NEWS: According to The SMH, Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has backed a measured inquiry into the original outbreak, while The Guardian has George Christensen issuing a far-less tactful threat to summon the Chinese ambassador to a parliamentary committee.
QLD, TAS AND WA ANNOUNCE ROADMAPS
Following the release of Scott Morrison‘s broad, three-step plan to ease restrictions, the Queensland, Tasmania, ACT and South Australian governments have all unveiled roadmaps to reopening. South Australia’s ‘step one’, for example, will allow groups of up to 10 people in cafes and libraries from today.
Yesterday, Western Australia released its own guide — notably with ‘phase two’, May 18, to bring the number of intra-state borders from 13 to only four (not including the Commonwealth Biosecurity zone and remote communities) — while NSW announced it will allow outdoor and cafe gatherings of 10 from this Friday.
AND THEN THERE WAS ONE: According to The Age, Victoria will have to wait until Thursday for news of any changes to restrictions. The state will also see a $20 million funding boost to mass-testing as cases continue to be traced from the Cedar Meats outbreak.
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THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Katie [Miller], she tested very good for a long period of time, and then all of the sudden she tested positive … This is why the whole concept of tests aren’t necessarily great … Today, I guess, for some reason, she tested positive. Donald Trump
Faced with news that a White House staffer has tested positive for COVID-19, the president of the United States takes aim at the linear nature of time.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
‘On fast forward’: Australian stocks stage recovery
Left right out: faction forced Trad’s exit ($)
‘Party embarrassed, community infuriated’: Nats look to oust Barilaro
‘A furphy’: Gaping hole found in Murray River pledge, paper finds
Green steel could save jobs, exports, emissions ($)
Fauci in quarantine as Trump projects confidence and urges states to reopen
Elite schools face fee hikes under means-tested funding ($)
Coronavirus prompts regional migration trend as people seek simpler life
Furious Elon Musk threatens to quit California over COVID-19 rules
Trans-Tasman tourism ‘bubble’ on cruise lines’ itinerary ($)
THE COMMENTARIAT
The case for building a COVID-proof fence ($) — Grant Wilson (The AFR): “The eastern borders of the Northern Territory and South Australia remain closed, in the way they are today. Interstate travel would recommence, but not across this ‘COVID-proof fence’ without an exemption or quarantine. Importantly, rather than providing negative incentives for the west to ‘catch down’ to the east, the east would be provided with positive incentives to catch up to the west.”
Coronavirus: Morrison must stage a dramatic rescue of the arts ($) — Josh Burns (The Australian): “In 1994, Paul Keating released Creative Nation, an arts policy that was designed to ‘pull the threads of Australia’s national life together so we can ride the waves of global change and create our own’. These objectives are just as vital today as we face an arts sector on its knees.”
A-lop-bam-boom: Little Richard’s saucy style underpins today’s hits — Rebecca Sheehan (The Conversation): “Little Richard was washing dishes at a Greyhound bus station in Macon, Georgia when he wrote Tutti Frutti, Good Golly Miss Molly and Long Tall Sally. The singer, who died Saturday at 87, sent the songs as demos to Specialty Records.”
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crikey--2020-04-19--Return of 'the mum and dad investors'

Return of 'the mum and dad investors'

Australian journalists ' favourite term is back .
This is a zombie movie with no end in sight .
Like a zombie rising from the journalistic grave , one of the most infuriating terms in Australian public discourse is back : the “ mum and dad investors ” .
COVID-19 policy debates are increasingly framed in terms of their supposed impact on this fabled cohort .
Journalists seeking “ balance ” offer a sympathetic lens on both ordinary workers and consumers , and the supposedly common procreators who own the businesses that laid them off and charge the rents they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside from being descriptively useless ( isn ’ t Twiggy Forrest also a dad , and Gina Rinehart a mum ? )
, the term is largely employed to lump the upper-middle class in with the rest of us by distancing them from the uber-rich .
The invocation of parenthood emphasises the supposed ordinariness and benign motives of B-league capital owners , who thus must be included in our collective concern .
No matter how big their swimming pools , we should not equate investors ’ lost returns with the genuine destitution of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thus remain a lower priority in the COVID-19 response .
The interests of investors often run counter to the national interest , especially in a pandemic .
As we face our biggest economic crisis since World War II , we should ignore subtle appeals to special treatment , and be prepared to compromise their interests if necessary .
Exhibit A : Bernard Keane recently noted “ baby boomer investors demanding that even though the economy has been halted to protect them , they still want banks to pay dividends , no matter how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business academics Andrew Linden and Warren Staples have outlined precisely why it ’ s a bad idea — many of our major companies have surprisingly little cash on hand because they give too much of their profits back to shareholders , to encourage them to buy even more shares .
There is thus little left over to boost wages or reinvest , or to save for a rainy pandemic .
With cash from daily operations razed by social distancing , many companies must now choose between paying their workers and ensuring they stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investors whose bloated returns left them cash-strapped to begin with .
Legally , board members barely have a choice .
This is why both Britain and New Zealand have stopped their banks paying dividends , and Australia is reluctantly edging that way .
Nine , however , informs us this would be “ a cruel prospect for retirees ” , many of whom rely on returns from investments .
I empathise with all those who will lose income due to this nasty virus .
But we have an imperfect solution for that problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employers with bankruptcy and their workforce with mass layoffs .
It ’ s called the dole .
It ’ s where those of us who can ’ t afford stocks go when life isn ’ t fair .
‘ Come mothers and fathers throughout the land ‘ The outsized sympathy given to housing investors in the rental debate similarly derails policy discussion .
The “ two sides ” are afforded equal weight on TV shows like The Project , and renters are implored to remember their landlord is also doing it tough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government regulations and pressure renters to negotiation meekly .
Renters should ignore this framing and push hard .
Some landlords may also be impacted by the COVID-19 fallout , but they generally have more options .
Australian banks have offered ( albeit imperfect ) mortgage relief .
State governments are releasing funding schemes that help both parties .
The investor has a stake in , or full ownership of , a valuable asset they can put to use .
And if all else fails , they can line up at Centrelink with those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks we accepted onto others .
I hold no inherent disdain for investors .
If life gives you lemons , sell them and dive the profits into whatever government-abetted Ponzi-scheme you like .
If I had enough lemons , I would do it too .
I am simply saying that those who have amassed enough savings to buy an investment property or a large stock portfolio don ’ t need our sympathy , and they certainly should not be poking holes in the stimulus bucket .
Whether governments continue their decades-long coddling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generous arrangements to help labour will have intergenerational consequences .
The media will never give us a corny sympathy badge , but the “ son and daughter workers ” of younger generations will have their working lives disproportionately impacted by this crisis , especially if their current or potential employers go bust or their sharehouse is emptied .
Please , “ mums and dads ” , think of your children .
Consider investing in our future .

Like a zombie rising from the journalistic grave, one of the most infuriating terms in Australian public discourse is back: the “mum and dad investors”.
COVID-19 policy debates are increasingly framed in terms of their supposed impact on this fabled cohort. Journalists seeking “balance” offer a sympathetic lens on both ordinary workers and consumers, and the supposedly common procreators who own the businesses that laid them off and charge the rents they can no longer afford.
Yet, aside from being descriptively useless (isn’t Twiggy Forrest also a dad, and Gina Rinehart a mum?), the term is largely employed to lump the upper-middle class in with the rest of us by distancing them from the uber-rich.


crikey--2020-04-02--Worm: Morrison's free childcare package

Worm: Morrison's free childcare package

Good morning , early birds .
The Coalition announced a plan for free childcare yesterday , and 6.6 million US employees have lost their jobs in the past week .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
In yet another packed day of packages , the Coalition announced a plan for free childcare yesterday — which the ABC has unpacked in excellent detail here — as well as a new “ Jobs Hub “ , integrating public and private employment opportunities and a registry for businesses , and a $ 123 million package to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
The Guardian reports that Scott Morrison has warned of at least six months of turmoil , while , in more whiplash-inducing news , The Australian ( $ ) reports that Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter has slammed calls from resources and energy employers to slash award rates .
TO BAIL OUT A LANDLORD ?
According to The Age , the national cabinet will also consider putting commercial landlords on the $ 130 billion JobKeeper scheme , ahead of a potential collapse of commercial real estate in shopping centres and offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC , a record 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment insurance in the past week following new state quarantines measures , with an estimated 3.3 million people applying the week earlier and economists now predicting as many as 20 million jobs will be lost throughout the crisis .
While they may be able to access additional unemployment measures as part of America ’ s $ 2.2 trillion stimulus , most of those people will also have lost health insurance at a time when “ free ” tests for the coronavirus are , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to materialise .
THE LEFT EATS ITS OWN FACE : For anyone hoping this might push the Democrats to embrace universal healthcare , note that the current , undisputed epicentre of the virus , New York State , just passed a budget ( $ ) that slashes Medicaid by billions of dollars .
• Western Australia has implemented further restrictions between the Kimberley ’ s four local governments areas following six new cases , including five health workers , while the state has also passed the Emergency Management Amendment ( COVID-19 Response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-the-spot fines .
• Victoria has clarified that all outdoor activities except exercise are banned following confusion over fishing and boating , while also finalising an agreement with the state ’ s private hospitals .
• NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has alleged that the Ruby Princess staff may have mislead NSW Health about the extent of onboard illnesses .
• Queensland has announced the closure of a number of places within the state ’ s national parks including picnic areas , toilet facilities , lookouts , popular walking tracks , swimming areas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Australia has brought forward a $ 45.7 million expansion of the Flinders Medical Centre Emergency Department by four months .
• Tasmania has banned racing for the next four weeks , and from 6pm today will prohibit or close farmers markets , recreational scalloping , garage sales , sex worker services and TAB and UBET stores .
INDIGENOUS MESSAGING CAMPAIGN KNOCKS IT OUT THE PARK Finally , as Croakey outlines in an incredible collection , federal , state , local government and community groups have created a range of television , radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities throughout the crisis .
Many of the government campaigns are modelled on priority messages from Monday ’ s ‘ Management Plan For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Populations ’ , which include : • vaccines ( emphasis on influenza and pneumococcal coverage ahead of winter ) ; • appropriate use of PPE ; • isolation and quarantine ( a major issue for remote communities where there is a fixed housing supply and crowding is already an issue ) ; and There are also some outstanding community-run initiatives , from NACCHO ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Northern Land Council shot in multiple NT languages to Deadly Choices ’ # CleanAndDeadly campaign complete with North Queensland Cowboys merchandise .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The prime minister ruins an otherwise very welcome childcare announcement by attempting to create a deserving/undeserving poor dichotomy .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Coronavirus working arrangements have seen Zoom downloads soar , but some users are wary of security flaws Man eating kebab on bench among 50 people fined in NSW and Victoria for violating coronavirus laws Queensland renters kicked out despite 6-month ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as US uses GPS to fight coronavirus spread High Court comes to swift judgment in George Pell case Imagine if we could extract a permanent vaccine against hyper-partisanship from COVID-19 — Michelle Grattan ( The Conversation ) : “ As the COVID-19 transforms our individual lives , we are learning a few new things about ourselves as a society .
We ’ ve known Australians suspect authority and , like other Western countries , have come to trust government less and less – right ?
One goes to our historical narrative ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And we don ’ t need a survey to know our political system is highly , often gratingly , adversarial.
” Full disclosure : the only way to earn trust in the virus endurance test — David Crowe ( The Age ) : “ The verdict from one of Canberra ’ s medical experts was direct this week when police in Sydney and Melbourne started warning Australians to leave their local parks and stay indoors .
Peter Collignon , an infectious diseases physician and a professor at the Australian National University , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked like ‘ panic by politicians ’ rather than science.
” ‘ It will change my life entirely ’ : young people on getting the $ 550 coronavirus supplement — Freya , Louise , Samara-Jade , Aidan and Jess ( The Guardian ) : “ As part of its stimulus package the government has introduced the coronavirus supplement , an extra $ 550 a fortnight payment for people on the jobseeker allowance , parenting payment ( partnered and single ) , farm household allowance , special benefit recipients , Austudy , Abstudy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

CHILDCARE, INDIGENOUS BUSINESS AND RENT
In yet another packed day of packages, the Coalition announced a plan for free childcare yesterday — which the ABC has unpacked in excellent detail here — as well as a new “Jobs Hub“, integrating public and private employment opportunities and a registry for businesses, and a $123 million package to help Indigenous businesses and communities respond to the pandemic.
The Guardian reports that Scott Morrison has warned of at least six months of turmoil, while, in more whiplash-inducing news, The Australian ($) reports that Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter has slammed calls from resources and energy employers to slash award rates.
TO BAIL OUT A LANDLORD? According to The Age, the national cabinet will also consider putting commercial landlords on the $130 billion JobKeeper scheme, ahead of a potential collapse of commercial real estate in shopping centres and offices across the country.
6.6 MILLION UNEMPLOYED AMERICANS IN ONE WEEK
According to the ABC, a record 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment insurance in the past week following new state quarantines measures, with an estimated 3.3 million people applying the week earlier and economists now predicting as many as 20 million jobs will be lost throughout the crisis.
While they may be able to access additional unemployment measures as part of America’s $2.2 trillion stimulus, most of those people will also have lost health insurance at a time when “free” tests for the coronavirus are, as the New York Times explores, still yet to materialise.
THE LEFT EATS ITS OWN FACE: For anyone hoping this might push the Democrats to embrace universal healthcare, note that the current, undisputed epicentre of the virus, New York State, just passed a budget ($) that slashes Medicaid by billions of dollars.
CH-CH-CH-CHANGES
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INDIGENOUS MESSAGING CAMPAIGN KNOCKS IT OUT THE PARK
Finally, as Croakey outlines in an incredible collection, federal, state, local government and community groups have created a range of television, radio, print and digital resources for Indigenous communities throughout the crisis.
Many of the government campaigns are modelled on priority messages from Monday’s ‘Management Plan For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Populations’, which include:
travel restrictions to communities;
effective hygiene practices;
vaccines (emphasis on influenza and pneumococcal coverage ahead of winter);
reporting illness, seeking advice and/or attending health services early, especially if vulnerable;
appropriate use of PPE;
isolation and quarantine (a major issue for remote communities where there is a fixed housing supply and crowding is already an issue); and
maintaining food and essential services and supplies.
There are also some outstanding community-run initiatives, from NACCHO’s daily coronavirus news alerts to short films by the Northern Land Council shot in multiple NT languages to Deadly Choices’ #CleanAndDeadly campaign complete with North Queensland Cowboys merchandise.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
In this new normal that we’re living in, it’s no longer about entitlement. It’s about need. Scott Morrison
The prime minister ruins an otherwise very welcome childcare announcement by attempting to create a deserving/undeserving poor dichotomy.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Australian dramatically rescued from stranded cruise tests positive for COVID-19
Coronavirus working arrangements have seen Zoom downloads soar, but some users are wary of security flaws
Man eating kebab on bench among 50 people fined in NSW and Victoria for violating coronavirus laws
Coronavirus: Aussies ‘won’t forgive’ Transurban for toll hike
Queensland renters kicked out despite 6-month ban on evictions
Experts warn of privacy risk as US uses GPS to fight coronavirus spread
Coronavirus: NSW cases revealed by postcode, suburb on COVID-19
‘A glimpse of hope’ despite Spain’s COVID-19 death toll passing 10,000
Democratic leaders win surge of approval during Covid-19 crisis
High Court comes to swift judgment in George Pell case
THE COMMENTARIAT
Imagine if we could extract a permanent vaccine against hyper-partisanship from COVID-19 — Michelle Grattan (The Conversation): “As the COVID-19 transforms our individual lives, we are learning a few new things about ourselves as a society. We’ve known Australians suspect authority and, like other Western countries, have come to trust government less and less – right? One goes to our historical narrative; the other is borne out by quantitative research. And we don’t need a survey to know our political system is highly, often gratingly, adversarial.”
Full disclosure: the only way to earn trust in the virus endurance test — David Crowe (The Age): “The verdict from one of Canberra’s medical experts was direct this week when police in Sydney and Melbourne started warning Australians to leave their local parks and stay indoors. Peter Collignon, an infectious diseases physician and a professor at the Australian National University, said the state decisions on hard lockdowns looked like ‘panic by politicians’ rather than science.”
‘It will change my life entirely’: young people on getting the $550 coronavirus supplement — Freya, Louise, Samara-Jade, Aidan and Jess (The Guardian): “As part of its stimulus package the government has introduced the coronavirus supplement, an extra $550 a fortnight payment for people on the jobseeker allowance, parenting payment (partnered and single), farm household allowance, special benefit recipients, Austudy, Abstudy and youth allowance (student).”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE