crikey--2020-04-07--The cost of our lives: when do we relax lockdown, why and at what price?

What should guide the government in considering when to remove restrictions ?
We need to understand the trade-off between the economic impacts of lockdown and the number of lives saved .
As the rate of infection slows in Australia and in other countries in various stages of lockdown , the question of when the draconian restrictions on us will be lifted will become ever more acute .
Some experts , like ANU ’ s Peter Collignon , think we ’ ve already gone too far and social distancing was working fine before governments started punishing people for leaving their houses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Andrews , who appears to be , if not drunk , then mildly inebriated on the powers he ’ s handed himself and his police force during the crisis , want even more savage restrictions .
Already , business lobbyists are using recent falls in the rate of infection to call for an easing of restrictions .
If those falls continue , and other countries begin to ease restrictions , we ’ ll hear a lot more , especially from business and economists , on why we should end the lockdown — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up as exemplars of minimising infection rates either declare states of emergency or enter lockdown .
The question of removing restrictions will bring into greater focus the trade-off between health and economic outcomes .
There ’ s been little challenge so far to governments plunging the economy into the deep freeze in order to protect the health and lives , primarily , of older people and those with existing health problems , and not much more objection to the government ’ s “ whatever it takes ” approach to keeping the economy on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of debate hasn ’ t changed the extent to which we ’ ve been engaged in a giant trade-off .
Some of the economic damage that we ’ re now incurring would have happened anyway , regardless of what the government did , as China and the United States plunge into recession and take much of the global economy with them .
Even some of the spending by the government would also have been incurred — there were calls for some form of fiscal stimulus well before the pandemic arrived .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third stimulus packages , lost tax revenue from shuttered business and additional welfare payments , and ignore the loss to GDP of the lockdown ( a contraction of 2.5 % costs around $ 12.5 billion a quarter ) , we ’ ll be out of pocket by at least $ 250 billion at the federal level alone — and that doesn ’ t count the non-economic impacts of the lockdown either , like depression , suicide and family violence .
Will that have been worth it ?
What value a human life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold-hearted and churlish to wonder if we ’ re spending too much to save lives ?
Except , as Crikey has noted time and again , we do that all the time .
We tolerate a level of death in the community because of our unwillingness to allocate resources away from one area of spending to another , because we understand that it ’ s about net community benefit , not looking at one problem in isolation .
The government even has a valuation of life that it tells policymakers to use in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is currently about $ 4.9 million per life .
Using that figure , the lockdown will have to have prevented over 50,000 deaths to deliver a net benefit .
Except , as Peter Singer and Michael Plant note in a discussion of this issue , many of those lives are of older people or of people with existing health conditions .
A more accurate approach would therefore be to use a concept regularly used by health economists to assess disease and treatment impacts : quality-adjusted life years ( QALY ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how good , the remaining life of a patient will be .
Given the age profile of those dying from COVID-19 , such a calculation is likely to push the number of people we need to save to make the fiscal measures worthwhile up to a very high number indeed .
No policymaker has been thinking in such terms so far , at least not in Australia .
Here , the focus has been on stopping the virus as quickly as people at whatever cost .
But at what point do we lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such calculations will start to become important .
Doubtless there are some public health figures , representing the command-and-control mentality common to that profession , who ’ d prefer that the entire population was locked up until a vaccine was developed or the virus disappeared off the face of the earth .
But if we accept that ’ s an absurd position , we also accept that we risk people becoming infected and dying as a result of a decision to lift restrictions earlier .
The earlier we lift them , the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 4.9 million per life , or the QALY-equivalent , plus the costs to the healthcare system of taking care of them .
There ’ ll be a crossover point when the estimated economic benefits of lifting restrictions start to outweigh the estimated costs in terms of lost life and healthcare of higher levels of infection .
Where that crossover point is depends both on how we model the economic impact of the lockdown — itself uncertain , given many of us are adjusting to life under lockdown by working from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumption online — and how we model the path of the virus .
So far , the government — again , reflecting the infantilising mentality of public health figures and its medical advisers — has refused to share its modelling on the basis that it would scare people .
It is only now , reluctantly and belatedly , moving to release some parts of it .
But without that modelling , there can be no informed debate of when it becomes a net benefit to Australia to start removing restrictions , and how @ @ @ @

As the rate of infection slows in Australia and in other countries in various stages of lockdown, the question of when the draconian restrictions on us will be lifted will become ever more acute.
Some experts, like ANU’s Peter Collignon, think we’ve already gone too far and social distancing was working fine before governments started punishing people for leaving their houses.
Others figures, like Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who appears to be, if not drunk, then mildly inebriated on the powers he’s handed himself and his police force during the crisis, want even more savage restrictions.


crikey--2020-03-24--COVID-19: Forget flattening, this is the real curve we need to watch

Simply trying to flatten the 'hockey stick ' curve of Australia 's exponential coronavirus cases will not help us stop @ @ @ @ @ that , here are the numbers we need to pay attention to .
We are @ @ @ @ @ curve these days .
`` Flatten the curve '' has become the catchcry of the @ @ @ @ @ are we aiming to flatten ?
We ’ re all familiar with that hockeystick line @ @ @ @ @ in Australia rising into the sky .

We are hearing a lot about the curve these days. “Flatten the curve” has become the catchcry of the coronavirus pandemic.
Which curve are we aiming to flatten?
We’re all familiar with that hockeystick line that shows confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia rising into the sky.


crikey--2020-03-24--Politicians can't have compliance and trust without accountability

If politicians want us to comply with their extraordinary lockdown demands , they have to provide real accountability when their @ @ @ @ @ .
Last Thursday , in an act of negligence bordering on the criminal , 2700 @ @ @ @ @ cruise ship -- despite their status as floating incubators of disease -- and onto the @ @ @ @ @ then , 130 Ruby Princess passengers have tested positive for coronavirus .
It was the @ @ @ @ @ the key to New York City .
Ever since , the NSW and federal governments @ @ @ @ @ each other and Carnival , owner of the ship and the giant of the wretched @ @ @ @ @ global cruise industry .

Last Thursday, in an act of negligence bordering on the criminal, 2700 passengers were waved off a cruise ship — despite their status as floating incubators of disease — and onto the streets of Sydney.
Since then, 130 Ruby Princess passengers have tested positive for coronavirus. It was the equivalent of giving Typhoid Mary the key to New York City.
Ever since, the NSW and federal governments have been trying to blame each other and Carnival, owner of the ship and the giant of the wretched, toxic and environmentally damaging global cruise industry.


crikey--2020-03-25--Clear communication from the PM really is essential. So why aren't we getting it?

Scott Morrison has an immensely difficult job in communicating the lockdown measures governments are embracing .
But his communication skills @ @ @ @ @ there anyone in the community , or in business , who actually understands the new @ @ @ @ @ Morrison last night ?
Ten mourners for a funeral but five people at a wedding @ @ @ @ @ funeral ? )
.
You ca n't get your nails done -- by the original @ @ @ @ @ nail salons , but you can get your hair done .

Is there anyone in the community, or in business, who actually understands the new lockdown rules announced by Scott Morrison last night?
Ten mourners for a funeral but five people at a wedding (two weddings for a funeral?).
You can’t get your nails done — by the original face mask wearers — in nail salons, but you can get your hair done.


crikey--2020-03-30--How many Australian workers are battling COVID-19 without leave?

Casual workers without leave are some of the hardest-hit by the coronavirus crisis as businesses are forced to close the country .
But just how many are there ?
As the world struggles to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic , workers without paid leave entitlements are clearly among the most vulnerable in the sudden economic downturn .
Many thousands have already lost their jobs , while others face the prospect of unpaid time off should they need to self-isolate or become sick , can no longer work from home or their places of work are shuttered in response to increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many such workers are there in Australia ?
The ACTU has repeatedly said 3.3 million Australians , or one in three workers , are “ casuals , contractors , labour hire and gig workers ” , a number repeated by Labor politicians such as Tanya Plibersek , Tony Burke and Linda Burney .
Others , such as Labor ’ s Stephen Jones and Attorney General Christian Porter , have suggested the proportion of the workforce made up of casual workers is closer to one in four .
So , which count is correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC Fact Check takes a look at casual workers and others without paid leave — how their work is defined , how many there are , and what their entitlements include .
As Fact Check has previously pointed out , there is no formal legal definition of casual employment .
Rather , casual employment “ has generally been regarded as employment in which there is an absence of entitlement to paid annual leave or sick leave ” , according to a guide published by the Australian Parliamentary Library .
This is the definition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as its primary measure of casual employment , data for which is contained in the bureau ’ s annual publication Characteristics of Employment .
“ An employee with paid leave entitlements has access to either paid holiday leave or paid sick leave , or both , ” the ABS says .
“ An employee is considered to be without leave entitlements if they identify as not having access to both paid sick leave and holiday leave , or did not know their entitlements .
“ This is an objective measure that can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of paid leave , casual employees generally have no guaranteed hours of work , work irregular hours and can have their employment ended without notice , according to the Fair Work Ombudsman .
To compensate , casual workers receive a higher hourly rate of pay that includes a so-called casual loading , usually amounting to an additional 25 % .
Casuals are also entitled to some unpaid leave , such as two days of carer ’ s or compassionate leave per occasion , and 5 days ’ unpaid family and domestic violence leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casuals are there in Australia ?
According to the latest Characteristics of Employment figures from the ABS , there were 2.6 million employees in Australia without paid leave entitlements in August 2019 , compared to 8.1 million employees with paid leave entitlements .
That puts the rate of casual work at 24 % , in line with the proportion cited by Porter and Jones .
It ’ s important to note that this rate only includes employees and not all workers — self-employed Australians and the owners of businesses with employees are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportion of all workers in Australia — of which there are around 12.8 million — casual workers make up 20 % , or one in five .
In April 2018 , Fact Check found that a claim , made by then workplace and deregulation minister Craig Laundy , that the rate of casualisation of the Australian workforce had remained steady at 25 % over the past 20 years , checked out .
“ The lie is that the rate of insecure work in this country is lifting , ” Laundy said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s completely where it was 20 years ago.
” In checking Laundy ’ s claim , Fact Check found that since 1997 around 24 to 25 % of all employees were employed on a casual basis , according to ABS data .
The same sources of data used in checking that claim have now been updated to include 2018 and 2019 , showing employees without paid leave entitlements continued to account for around 24 % of all employees .
But while the rate of casualisation has remained steady for the past couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a marked increase that occurred in the late 1980s and early 90s .
John Quiggin , from the School of Economics at the University of Queensland , said the impact of recession and weakening of unions explained the growth and eventual stabilisation of the extent of casual employment .
“ In general , the period from the 1980s to the mid-1990s was one in which workers lost ground over working conditions , ” he said .
“ The prevalence of long working hours , unpaid overtime and casualisation all increased .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recessions and the weakening of unions , both of which weakened workers ’ bargaining power .
The gradual improvement in the labour market since the mid-1990s has led to a stabilisation , but no improvement [ in casualisation rates ] .
” It ’ s not just casual workers who are likely to be forced to take leave without pay as coronavirus takes hold : self-employed Australians also lack the paid-leave entitlements available to employees on part-time or full-time contracts .
A Grattan Institute blog post authored by the director of its Household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior associate Matt Cowgill , put the number of self-employed Australians at 2.2 million .
Cowgill told Fact Check this number included “ people whose status in employment is either owner-manager of incorporated business , or owner-manager of unincorporated business ” and would generally include those working in the gig economy , such as Uber drivers .
He added that international guidelines for classifying employment had been revised in a way that would make it easier to separately identify people in the gig economy .
“ These classification guidelines have not yet been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So how many workers don ’ t have paid leave entitlements ?
The ACTU ’ s claim that 3.3 million Australian workers were without paid leave entitlements is likely an understatement .
Combining the estimated number of self-employed workers with those in casual employment would suggest as many as 4.8 million Australian workers , or 37 % of the national workforce , did not have access to paid leave entitlements in the lead-up to the coronavirus outbreak .
The University of Melbourne ’ s Jeff Borland told Fact Check that combining these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and the method was “ a good way to calculate the total number of workers who don ’ t have paid leave in their main job ” .
Professor Borland , who researches labour markets in Australia , added : “ There shouldn ’ t be any overlap as they are mutually exclusive categories in the ABS data collection for that survey.
” The figure includes labour hire workers , contractors and workers in the gig economy as referenced in claims made by the ACTU and Labor politicians such as Tanya Plibersek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that one in three workers have no paid leave .
According to a statistical snapshot published by the Parliamentary Library in 2018 , casual employees are likely to be younger and work in the hospitality and retail industries .
“ Young workers aged 15 to 24 years are much more likely to be contracted on a casual basis compared with people aged 25 to 64 years , ” the snapshot says .
“ Some industries such as hospitality and retail trade have very high concentrations of casual workers , while others such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Young people are disproportionately likely to be in casual work and not have paid leave , ” Coates and Cowgill say .
“ But casual work is not just for young people who are putting themselves through university .
More than a quarter of people in their 30s , 40s and 50s do not have paid sick leave — either because they ’ re casual workers or they ’ re self-employed.
” Coates and Cowgill found that most workers without paid leave were in industries “ especially vulnerable to shutdown ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food services .
“ Not many of the 20 industries with the largest number of workers without paid leave entitlements are likely to be able to continue as normal over a period of widespread self-isolation , ” they said .
• Tony Burke and Linda Burney , Media release : Casuals need support sooner rather than later , March 10 , 2020 • RMIT ABC Fact Check , Fact check : Has the rate of casualisation in the workforce remained steady for the last 20 years ?
, April 17 , 2018 • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Characteristics and use of casual employees in Australia , January 19 , 2018 • Brendan Coates and Matt Cowgill , COVID-19 : Our most vulnerable workers need more help , Grattan Institute , March 17 , 2020

As the world struggles to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, workers without paid leave entitlements are clearly among the most vulnerable in the sudden economic downturn.
Many thousands have already lost their jobs, while others face the prospect of unpaid time off should they need to self-isolate or become sick, can no longer work from home or their places of work are shuttered in response to increasingly strict bans on gatherings.
But how many such workers are there in Australia?


crikey--2020-04-16--When will there be a treatment for coronavirus?

Here are the latest recommendations on how to treat coronavirus and updates on upcoming and ongoing clinical trials for a coronavirus vaccine .
There is no cure for coronavirus .
Not yet .
Best estimates put the introduction of a vaccine between 12-18 months away .
Current COVID-19 treatments are similar to treatment for influenza ( flu ) , depending on the severity of the condition .
Cases of coronavirus can be divided into five categories : Coronavirus treatment for mild to moderate cases is similar to what we would use to treat influenza ( flu ) .
How to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home : • Take fever-reducing medication when necessary • Take pain medication when necessary It is important those who are infected , even if their symptoms are minimal , self-isolate for a minimum of two weeks .
Current treatments for severe and critical cases of coronavirus vary on a case by case basis , and treatment will depend on a number of factors , such as age and health status .
COVID-19 treatments for severe and critical cases need to be carried out in a professional healthcare setting and include : • Patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Patients may need to be intubated • Patients may require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation if their lungs fail .
The World Health Organization reports there are currently 6,468 cases of coronavirus in Australia .
Researchers are working towards a vaccine for coronavirus , and yesterday , a clinical trial for a coronavirus vaccine began in Melbourne and Brisbane .
Nucleus Network , a clinical research company has recruited a small sample of healthy volunteers .
They will inject the participants with a small volume of the virus to produce an immune response .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Network will reportedly be ready for release in 12-18 months .
According to the World Health Organization , there are 20 coronavirus vaccines being developed in different locations around the world .
Read : How long can coronavirus last on surfaces ?

There is no cure for coronavirus. Not yet. Best estimates put the introduction of a vaccine between 12-18 months away.
Current COVID-19 treatments are similar to treatment for influenza (flu), depending on the severity of the condition. Cases of coronavirus can be divided into five categories:
Asymptomatic Mild Moderate Severe Critical.
Coronavirus treatment
Coronavirus treatment for mild to moderate cases is similar to what we would use to treat influenza (flu).


crikey--2020-04-15--Stranded in the world's biggest lockdown, Australians say Canberra is ignoring their pleas

As countries around the world ship home their citizens by the tens of thousands , Canberra continues to leave Australians @ @ @ @ @ turn to but each other .
Australians stranded amid the world ’ s biggest COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ with the Australian government for ignoring their pleas to be airlifted home .
A concerted @ @ @ @ @ few expatriates has seen four more flights organised to bring people home following the success @ @ @ @ @ using Indonesia ’ s Lion Air from Delhi to Melbourne on April 12 .
The @ @ @ @ @ for the next group of flights from Delhi , Mumbai and Chennai .
The latter @ @ @ @ @ March 19 and 20 respectively , at a cost of $ 2200 per person .

Australians stranded amid the world’s biggest COVID-19 lockdown in India are furious with the Australian government for ignoring their pleas to be airlifted home.
A concerted group effort headed by a few expatriates has seen four more flights organised to bring people home following the success of an initial charter flight using Indonesia’s Lion Air from Delhi to Melbourne on April 12. The carrier will also be used for the next group of flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
The latter two flights will leave on March 19 and 20 respectively, at a cost of $2200 per person.


crikey--2020-04-16--Will the gambling industry start lobbying for an end to the lockdown?

The gambling industry is losing millions and Angus Taylor is back at it again .
In another jam-packed week , @ @ @ @ @ slipped by .
We 're waiting for the gambling industry to start lobbying to end @ @ @ @ @ real-life disaster movie and Angus Taylor sneaks some coal projects through .
The federal government @ @ @ @ @ be dominated by the single greatest combined public health emergency and economic downturn since the @ @ @ @ @ assured that many government MPs are still spending quality time pursuing their personal vendettas .
@ @ @ @ @ out last week , MP Tim Wilson is determined to bring down industry superannuation funds @ @ @ @ @ prove how superior they are to retail ones ) , while Arts Minister Paul Fletcher @ @ @ @ @ finally get rid of those pesky Australian content quotas that made it possible for this @ @ @ @ @ industry .

We’re waiting for the gambling industry to start lobbying to end lockdowns, Indonesia becomes a real-life disaster movie and Angus Taylor sneaks some coal projects through.
Coal runnings
The federal government’s current focus might be dominated by the single greatest combined public health emergency and economic downturn since the Holocene began, but rest assured that many government MPs are still spending quality time pursuing their personal vendettas.
As this very column pointed out last week, MP Tim Wilson is determined to bring down industry superannuation funds (by continuing to accidentally prove how superior they are to retail ones), while Arts Minister Paul Fletcher has used the emergency to finally get rid of those pesky Australian content quotas that made it possible for this country to have an entertainment industry.


crikey--2020-03-29--On the frontline: facing COVID-19 in immigration detention

People locked up in detention centres are not immune from the effects of the coronavirus .
When I heard about @ @ @ @ @ government 's plan to quarantine its own citizens on Christmas Island , my first thought @ @ @ @ @ be saying to people for four years : if you don ’ t speak up @ @ @ @ @ day you might find yourself locked up there too .
But then events escalated .
@ @ @ @ @ “ we should all go out to Chinatown for dinner ” .
The next , @ @ @ @ @ be afraid of ” .
And now , `` DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HOME '' @ @ @ @ @ home .
I am in Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney , where the only measure @ @ @ @ @ visitors .
This not only means I can no longer see my loved ones , @ @ @ @ @

When I heard about COVID-19, and the Australian government’s plan to quarantine its own citizens on Christmas Island, my first thought was something I’d be saying to people for four years: if you don’t speak up against mandatory detention, one day you might find yourself locked up there too.
But then events escalated. One minute the message was “we should all go out to Chinatown for dinner”. The next, “there’s nothing to be afraid of”. And now, “DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HOME”.
I cannot leave home. I am in Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney, where the only measure has been a ban on visitors. This not only means I can no longer see my loved ones, but also my psychologist.


crikey--2020-04-27--COVIDSafe: Singapore's app didn't stop a second wave. Will Australia's?

As Australians race to download the government 's contact tracing app , it ’ s worth learning the lessons of @ @ @ @ @ When Australia announced it was developing a contact tracing app like Singapore , the city-state @ @ @ @ @ its fight against COVID-19 .
Now it ’ s well and truly not .
The @ @ @ @ @ a second wave of cases , with the disease silently spreading through cramped dormitories occupied @ @ @ @ @ looked to Singapore ’ s use of technology as one of the ways it was @ @ @ @ @ even the developer of the Singapore app himself has warned technology is not a panacea @

When Australia announced it was developing a contact tracing app like Singapore, the city-state was leading the world in its fight against COVID-19. Now it’s well and truly not.
The country has sunk deep into a second wave of cases, with the disease silently spreading through cramped dormitories occupied by foreign workers.
Many looked to Singapore’s use of technology as one of the ways it was beating the virus. But even the developer of the Singapore app himself has warned technology is not a panacea.


crikey--2020-06-09--Liberal-linked Nine joins the Liberal war on industry super

The Sydney Morning Herald wants industry super funds to disclose their links with unions .
Too bad the paper fails @ @ @ @ @ with and support for the Liberal Party — and is that why it has now @ @ @ @ @ super ?
It seems that the Nine media company is quite taken with Liberal Senator @ @ @ @ @ Bragg .
Last week The Sydney Morning Herald gave , in effect , a free @ @ @ @ @ attacking Australia 's compulsory superannuation model , ran an excerpt from it , and ran @ @ @ @ @ day recycling one of its core myths -- that industry super funds are major political @ @ @ @ @ given a slot on far-right shock-jock Ben Fordham 's radio program on Nine-owned 2GB to @ @ @ @ @ also received glowing coverage from the SMH earlier this year when commenting on super .

It seems that the Nine media company is quite taken with Liberal Senator Andrew “virus guy” Bragg.
Last week The Sydney Morning Herald gave, in effect, a free ad for his new book attacking Australia’s compulsory superannuation model, ran an excerpt from it, and ran a follow-up story the next day recycling one of its core myths — that industry super funds are major political donors.
Bragg was also given a slot on far-right shock-jock Ben Fordham’s radio program on Nine-owned 2GB to spruik the book. Bragg also received glowing coverage from the SMH earlier this year when commenting on super.


crikey--2020-06-16--Your Say: Australian history is still all around us

Crikey readers reflect on Australia 's history of slavery , and other topical issues .
This week Crikey readers have been responding to Australia ’ s history of slavery , while others have been reconsidering their Nine newspaper subscriptions following The Age journalists ’ revolt .
Plus , the double standards of condemning protesters for breaking social distancing rules .
Share your thoughts with us by writing to [ email protected ] .
Please include your full name to be considered for publication in this column .
On Australia ’ s history of slavery , and statues : Jackie French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ a person been sold for money to another ” .
The selling of Indigenous people as early as 1810 , and the selling of the “ contracts ” for indentured labour in the sugar industry , is documented .
Our prime minister may not know Australian history , but I have spent 20 years writing it for our students , as have many others .
But best not tell him , or we may have book burnings .
We might even have crippling funding cuts to our universities , libraries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell inconvenient truths… History did not just lead to today .
It is around us still .
Maire Mannick writes : While there is not much of an argument against removing public art that praises people who did evil things , destroying art itself is problematic .
One solution is that decided on by Estonia when it recently built its National Art Gallery , and what to do with 50 years of Soviet art .
On the one hand it was art dictated by an occupying power that imprisoned and murdered , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Estonian artists .
So what they did was keep it but remove it from the nation ’ s chronology .
The galleries ascend from prehistoric and medieval art up to current artists .
Alone on the top floor and kept separate is the Soviet art .
On the revolt at The Age : Leonore Hunstman writes : I was pleased to see this had happened , as I ’ ve become increasingly inclined to cancel my subscription to The Sydney Morning Herald because of the prominence given to Scott Morrison , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says and what he and his government does , the absence of reference to and comment on what opposition parties say and do , the one-sided reporting on , for example , Black Lives Matter protests and industry super funds .
There is also the amount of newspaper space given over to promotion of TV programs on Nine , and celebrities from both Nine and 2GB .
I can not comment on criticism by Age journalists of the takeover of content by Sydney because I live in Sydney , and this would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes : Much as I have loved The Age for most of my life , there are now several easily-accessible alternatives providing independent , quality journalism , from within Australia and from overseas .
Any further signs of corporate interference and I ’ m happy to put my subscription elsewhere .
Bernie Woiwod writes : As an Age subscriber for a lifetime I am now considering cancelling my subscription .
I can handle the need to print on the back of Harvey Norman and Woolworth ’ s junk mail due to the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is in The Age charter .
I worry about the headlines in large print that do not follow up with a story to back up the the bold font .
I am skipping pages where I see the regular articles by retired Coalition MPs .
The fact that the board consists of the top echelon of the Liberal Party is obviously a worry to the independence of the journalists .
Unfortunately I can not see how it is going to stop this drift to the right with the present structure of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls Black Lives Matter protesters reckless , selfish , irresponsible … Yet we now see footballers ignoring social distancing , with hugs , handshakes , tackles , while sharing sweat and spit .
This is a double standard of the highest degree .
Hypocrisy at its worst .
Bread and circuses to keep the masses compliant and quiet .
It ’ s 2020 .
Enough time has passed being quiet .
Justice was never gained by silence .
And when you ’ re suffocated by a knee on your carotid , you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s time for changes suggested by forums such as the 1991 Royal Commission and the Uluru Statements are given the consideration they deserve .
Time to stop faffing around and dragging their feet .
We need to see a genuine effort to create a just society for all , not just the privileged few who happen to be born with a white skin , like me .
Mohammad Stacey writes : Is it just coincidence that the government ministers prohibiting the demonstrations are the same people responsible for the oppressive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?

This week Crikey readers have been responding to Australia’s history of slavery, while others have been reconsidering their Nine newspaper subscriptions following The Age journalists’ revolt. Plus, the double standards of condemning protesters for breaking social distancing rules.
Share your thoughts with us by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication in this column.
Jackie French writes: One definition of slavery is that “a person been sold for money to another”. The selling of Indigenous people as early as 1810, and the selling of the “contracts” for indentured labour in the sugar industry, is documented.


crikey--2020-03-24--Worm: Morrison stops the planes

Worm: Morrison stops the planes

Good morning , early birds .
Scott Morrison has outlined a range of new shutdowns , including of libraries , outdoor play areas , most hairdressers and Australians travelling overseas , and NSW parliament has passed a bunch of emergency laws .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Following yet another late-night meeting with the national cabinet , Scott Morrison has outlined a range of new shutdowns agreed to by federal and state leaders , which , among other measures , includes bans on the following from midnight tonight : • Food courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Places of worship , with the exception of five people per wedding and 10 people per funeral ; and • Hairdressers , with the exception of 30-minute appointments observing the 1 person per 4 square metre rule .
Morrison advised the public to “ stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary you go out ” , the ABC reports , and said the government will take action to prevent exploitative price gouging and the exporting of essential products .
FUN FACT : It is not — barring a hedge-trimmer-type situation — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another person ’ s 4 square metres .
NSW parliament has passed an emergency COVID-19 package that , according to AAP , includes but is not limited to the following : • Enabling the Corrective Services commissioner to grant conditional parole to certain offenders — subject to public and victim safety considerations — before their non-parole period ; • Empowering police to arrest people reasonably suspected of breaking public health orders — and either return them home or put them in detention ( writer ’ s note : as that first measure acknowledges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put someone at risk of infection ) ; • Amending planning laws to allow developments that protect health , welfare and safety during the pandemic — notably COVID-19 clinics — to proceed without normal development approvals ; and • Enabling flexibility among court issues , such as judge-alone trials , a greater use of recordings , and appearances and evidence via video link .
Additionally , as Greens MP Jenny Leong announced on Twitter , the government accepted an amendment that immediately empowers ministers to protect NSW renters from eviction and introduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenancies .
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has asked Morrison to temporarily change the rules to allow freshly laid-off New Zealanders living here access to unemployment benefits , The Guardian reports .
Ardern ’ s message , which came before the internal flight ban was announced , comes as the ABC warns of uncertainty for international students and people on work visas , and after The Australian ( $ ) reported yesterday morning that the Coalition is working on new welfare options for non-citizens .
WHY HELLO AGAIN , RUBY PRINCESS According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told attendees of a confidential partyroom meeting that the Australian Border Force is responsible for the decision to release 2700 passengers from the Ruby Princess cruise ship and should wear the blame for the unfolding contagion — which , as of yesterday , has seen one 70-year-old female passenger die from the virus .
LAW OF THE SEA : Shine Lawyers has since received enquiries from passengers and is currently investigating avenues to bring claims over illness and damage suffered , The Daily Telegraph ( $ ) reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo Olympics will be postponed until 2021 , following an earlier request from Japan ’ s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , according to the ABC .
SPORTS CALL : Concurrently , Australia ’ s seven major sports bodies — the AFL , NRL , Rugby Australia , Cricket Australia , Football Federation Australia , Netball Australia and Tennis Australia — have , according to The Age , united behind a push for government assistance throughout the crisis .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
After falsely claiming myGov had been hit by a cyber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did not realise “ the sheer scale of the decision on Sunday night by the national leaders , that literally saw hundreds and hundreds of thousands , maybe a million people , unemployed overnight ” might mean more than 55,000 site visits .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Nobel Prize winner says virus curve will flatten in ‘ couple of weeks ’ Rising recession anxiety as more Australian households suffer impacts of virus Coronavirus drug to be trialled on frontline health workers ( $ ) Forget about stepping outside for 21 days : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include abortion as medical procedures that must be delayed China to lift lockdown in Wuhan , Hubei province as coronavirus case numbers ease Coronavirus : Sidelining parliament is not healthy for democracies ( $ ) — Dennis Shanahan ( The Australian ) : “ A day after the ‘ national unity ’ sitting of federal parliament and the passing of a $ 60bn stimulus and the essential money bills to run the nation , there are legitimate concerns about suspension of the House of Representatives until August.
” Rupert Murdoch ’ s Foxtel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Knight ( The Age ) : “ Take a look at Netflix if you want some relief from the sea of red in share performances .
Over the past week in particular it has performed strongly – up 16 per cent .
Take a look at the stock prices of US cable companies and the trajectory has moved in the opposite direction.
” Bastard Pandemic v. Bastards — Scott Ludlam ( Meanjin ) : “ A crisis has its own way of focusing our minds on what matters and what doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days and who knows what ’ s over the edge of this thing , really , but our relationships , our politics , our infrastructure—everything—is facing a stress test unlike anything we ’ ve ever experienced.
” • Julian Assange will apply for bail , citing risks of the pandemic in prison .

YOU’RE GROUNDED
Following yet another late-night meeting with the national cabinet, Scott Morrison has outlined a range of new shutdowns agreed to by federal and state leaders, which, among other measures, includes bans on the following from midnight tonight:
Australians travelling overseas;
Galleries, libraries and community facilities;
Indoor and outdoor play areas;
Food courts, except for takeaway and delivery;
Places of worship, with the exception of five people per wedding and 10 people per funeral; and
Hairdressers, with the exception of 30-minute appointments observing the 1 person per 4 square metre rule.
Morrison advised the public to “stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary you go out”, the ABC reports, and said the government will take action to prevent exploitative price gouging and the exporting of essential products.
FUN FACT: It is not — barring a hedge-trimmer-type situation — technically possible to perform a haircut outside another person’s 4 square metres.
NSW PASSES EMERGENCY LAWS
NSW parliament has passed an emergency COVID-19 package that, according to AAP, includes but is not limited to the following:
Enabling the Corrective Services commissioner to grant conditional parole to certain offenders — subject to public and victim safety considerations — before their non-parole period;
Empowering police to arrest people reasonably suspected of breaking public health orders — and either return them home or put them in detention (writer’s note: as that first measure acknowledges, detention is maybe the worst place to put someone at risk of infection);
Amending planning laws to allow developments that protect health, welfare and safety during the pandemic — notably COVID-19 clinics — to proceed without normal development approvals; and
Enabling flexibility among court issues, such as judge-alone trials, a greater use of recordings, and appearances and evidence via video link.
Additionally, as Greens MP Jenny Leong announced on Twitter, the government accepted an amendment that immediately empowers ministers to protect NSW renters from eviction and introduce other relief measures for residential and commercial tenancies.
NZ ASKS FOR ENTITLEMENT EXTENSION
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has asked Morrison to temporarily change the rules to allow freshly laid-off New Zealanders living here access to unemployment benefits, The Guardian reports.
Ardern’s message, which came before the internal flight ban was announced, comes as the ABC warns of uncertainty for international students and people on work visas, and after The Australian ($) reported yesterday morning that the Coalition is working on new welfare options for non-citizens.
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WHY HELLO AGAIN, RUBY PRINCESS
According to The Australian ($), NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told attendees of a confidential partyroom meeting that the Australian Border Force is responsible for the decision to release 2700 passengers from the Ruby Princess cruise ship and should wear the blame for the unfolding contagion — which, as of yesterday, has seen one 70-year-old female passenger die from the virus.
LAW OF THE SEA: Shine Lawyers has since received enquiries from passengers and is currently investigating avenues to bring claims over illness and damage suffered, The Daily Telegraph ($) reports.
OLYMPICS OFFICIALLY POSTPONED
The International Olympic Committee has announced the Tokyo Olympics will be postponed until 2021, following an earlier request from Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to the ABC.
SPORTS CALL: Concurrently, Australia’s seven major sports bodies — the AFL, NRL, Rugby Australia, Cricket Australia, Football Federation Australia, Netball Australia and Tennis Australia — have, according to The Age, united behind a push for government assistance throughout the crisis.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
My bad. Stuart Robert
After falsely claiming myGov had been hit by a cyber attack, the government services minister concedes he did not realise “the sheer scale of the decision on Sunday night by the national leaders, that literally saw hundreds and hundreds of thousands, maybe a million people, unemployed overnight” might mean more than 55,000 site visits.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Coronavirus: Mental health strategy targets risk of suicide surge ($)
Nobel Prize winner says virus curve will flatten in ‘couple of weeks’
Rising recession anxiety as more Australian households suffer impacts of virus
Coronavirus ‘whole-of-population telehealth’: Medicare to cover video, phone consults
Coronavirus drug to be trialled on frontline health workers ($)
Economy facing record contraction, budget heading for $160b deficit: Westpac
Forget about stepping outside for 21 days: Modi on coronavirus lockdown
Texas and Ohio include abortion as medical procedures that must be delayed
Jazz great Manu Dibango dies from virus, aged 86
China to lift lockdown in Wuhan, Hubei province as coronavirus case numbers ease
Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Brunswick causing flu symptoms
THE COMMENTARIAT
Coronavirus: Sidelining parliament is not healthy for democracies ($) — Dennis Shanahan (The Australian): “A day after the ‘national unity’ sitting of federal parliament and the passing of a $60bn stimulus and the essential money bills to run the nation, there are legitimate concerns about suspension of the House of Representatives until August.”
Rupert Murdoch’s Foxtel could become a sports casualty — Elizabeth Knight (The Age): “Take a look at Netflix if you want some relief from the sea of red in share performances. Over the past week in particular it has performed strongly – up 16 per cent. Take a look at the stock prices of US cable companies and the trajectory has moved in the opposite direction.”
Bastard Pandemic v. Bastards — Scott Ludlam (Meanjin): “A crisis has its own way of focusing our minds on what matters and what doesn’t. It still feels like such early days and who knows what’s over the edge of this thing, really, but our relationships, our politics, our infrastructure—everything—is facing a stress test unlike anything we’ve ever experienced.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
London, UK


crikey--2020-03-29--Worm: Morrison doubles down on gatherings

Good morning , early birds .
Scott Morrison has limited indoor and outdoor gatherings to just two people , and the government is reportedly finalising a JobKeeper allowance of $ 1,500 a fortnight per full-time employee .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Scott Morrison last night announced that state and territory governments will — following Tasmania ’ s lead last week — implement six-month bans on the evictions of both people and businesses unable to pay rent due to the pandemic , the ABC reports .
Morrison also announced state governments will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to just two people — a move that is not yet legally enforceable and so far has support from NSW but not the NT ( $ ) — while people over 70 , anyone over 60 with a chronic illness and Indigenous people over 50 have been urged to completely self-isolate .
PS : Other measures include bans on playgrounds and outdoor gyms , as well as “ strong guidance ” to stay home unless undertaking essential services , work or study that can not be done remotely , and to exercise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure from both unions and industry groups for a UK-style 80 % wage subsidy , 7News reports the government will this week outline a ‘ JobKeeper ’ allowance of $ 1,500 a fortnight per full-time employee for closed or at-risk businesses — with measures for part-time and casual workers to be finalised — through the taxation system over the next six months .
As the Morrison government prepares to announce its third and largest stimulus package , The Australian ( $ ) reports the government has agreed with the major banks on another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include : • an extension on the banks ’ six-month deferral of loan repayments to 30,000 businesses to bring the overall value of loans for coronavirus support to $ 250 billion ; • lifting the 50 % loan guarantee offered to small and medium businesses to include big employers ; and • moving to prevent all foreign companies from raiding Australian-owned businesses by reducing ownership thresholds that trigger government scrutiny to zero ( the government has stressed this is not an investment freeze , the ABC reports ) .
Health Minister Greg Hunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal with at least two state governments to support both their increase in patients and a looming suspension of non-urgent elective surgeries , according to The Australian ( $ ) .
This comes after private hospitals won a one-week reprieve to last Wednesday ’ s elective surgery ban — which an infuriated Royal Australasian College of Surgeons president described as “ putting commercial forces ahead of patient safety and the use of vital resources ” , The Sydney Morning Herald reports .
HERE ’ S A THOUGHT : Seeing as how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tories , it ’ s worth noting the Johnson government last week partly nationalised the rail system and eliminated competition laws for essential ferry routes .
Just something to consider with private health , is all .
During an absolutely packed news weekend , the federal government also outlined a $ 1.1 billion health and safety package , including : • $ 669 million for telehealth , to ensure subsidised telephone or video-conferencing for GP services , mental health treatment , chronic disease management , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 million for domestic violence support , with support for 1800RESPECT , Mensline Australia , Trafficked People Program , specialised shelter programs and a new ad campaign to target the recorded spike in family , domestic and sexual violence amid the pandemic ; • $ 74 million for mental health support to go to the government ’ s digital mental health portal Head to Health , a new dedicated hotline from Beyond Blue , a new communications campaign , existing mental health providers , and programs for frontline health workers , aged care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via Gayaa Dhuwi ( Proud Spirit ) Australia ; and • $ 200 million for a community support package covering emergency and food relief for vulnerable Australians , the National Debt Helpline , and other financial counselling programs .
PS : The federal government has launched a new ‘ Coronavirus Australia ’ app , available through the Apple App Store , Google Play and as a new WhatsApp chatbot .
PPS : Starting today , Australia Post will offer both customers and pharmacies free delivery on medication and other essential supplies ( under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delivery Scheme .
There , I think that ’ s the final federal announcement , but prove me wrong , deadline… Amid fears of outbreaks across prison populations , 119 frontline Victorian legal and criminal practitioners have written to Attorney-General Jill Hennessy and Minister for Corrections Ben Carroll calling for humane decarceration during the pandemic .
Specifically , the group calls to release : • female prisoners eligible for release , especially prisoners who are pregnant ; • young people who have access to accommodation and support in the community ; • prisoners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligible for parole ; and • people on remand who are unlikely to serve more than six months in custody .
IN RELATED NEWS : The push comes as New York City — already under unofficial quarantine amid America ’ s exponential spike in deaths — begins releasing people at the infamous Rikers ’ Island prison , where , according to NYC ’ s Legal Aid Society , the population has the highest infection rate in the world at 3 % .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The controversial author and former political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morrison ’ s ( constitutionally informal ) national cabinet meetings that , as nature dictates , are put to rest by Antony Green .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Coronavirus : Spain , Italy demand help from European Union as crisis deepens ‘ Show us the modelling , give us a time frame ’ : Experts ’ plea to Morrison Relief and anger as Australian cruise ship passengers stranded in Italy prepare for flight home This is what is happening to enforce coronavirus lockdowns around the country More than 1800 Australians still stranded at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used to fight infection ‘ We treat them like gold ’ : Aboriginal community rallies around elders COVID-19 crisis : Interstate FIFO workers to be quarantined for two weeks before starting work in WA ( $ ) The perfect virus : two gene tweaks that turned COVID-19 into a killer Morrison must give us more detail if we are to trust his judgment — Sean Kelly ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ But I ’ ve realised , over the past week , that this is no time for restraint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the press isn ’ t willing to hector government into sharing information while a deadly virus spreads through the population , then there really is no point to the press at all.
” Give people and businesses money now they can pay back later ( if and when they can ) — Linda Botterill , Bruce Chapman Director , Glenn Withers and Warwick McKibbin ( The Conversation ) : “ It is likely that once a vaccine is delivered by science , or even before , the economic recovery will begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most equitable ways to handle this major short-term trauma ?
There is an instrument that should be used to add to the size and efficacy of the necessary fiscal boost .
Income contingent loans provide extra financial support without threatening future fiscal solvency.
” ‘ Go hard go early ’ might work for NZ ( $ ) — Luke Malpass ( Australian Financial Review ) : “ On midnight last Wednesday in New Zealand , something unimaginable even three weeks earlier happened : a state of emergency was declared and the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown , effectively becoming a police state.
” • The joint select committee on the implementation of the national redress scheme will hold a public hearing reportedly to be conducted via teleconference with NSW witnesses and broadcasted on www.aph.gov.au/live .

TWO’S A CROWD
Scott Morrison last night announced that state and territory governments will — following Tasmania’s lead last week — implement six-month bans on the evictions of both people and businesses unable to pay rent due to the pandemic, the ABC reports.
Morrison also announced state governments will cut existing indoor and outdoor gathering limits to just two people — a move that is not yet legally enforceable and so far has support from NSW but not the NT ($) — while people over 70, anyone over 60 with a chronic illness and Indigenous people over 50 have been urged to completely self-isolate.
PS: Other measures include bans on playgrounds and outdoor gyms, as well as “strong guidance” to stay home unless undertaking essential services, work or study that cannot be done remotely, and to exercise in compliance with the 1.5-metre rule.
WAGE SUBSIDIES AND CORPORATE BAILOUTS
Following pressure from both unions and industry groups for a UK-style 80% wage subsidy, 7News reports the government will this week outline a ‘JobKeeper’ allowance of $1,500 a fortnight per full-time employee for closed or at-risk businesses — with measures for part-time and casual workers to be finalised — through the taxation system over the next six months.
As the Morrison government prepares to announce its third and largest stimulus package, The Australian ($) reports the government has agreed with the major banks on another multibillion-dollar bailout of corporate Australia, to include:
an extension on the banks’ six-month deferral of loan repayments to 30,000 businesses to bring the overall value of loans for coronavirus support to $250 billion;
lifting the 50% loan guarantee offered to small and medium businesses to include big employers; and
moving to prevent all foreign companies from raiding Australian-owned businesses by reducing ownership thresholds that trigger government scrutiny to zero (the government has stressed this is not an investment freeze, the ABC reports).
PRIVATE HOSPITALS CLOSE TO A DEAL?
Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed private hospitals are close to a deal with at least two state governments to support both their increase in patients and a looming suspension of non-urgent elective surgeries, according to The Australian ($).
This comes after private hospitals won a one-week reprieve to last Wednesday’s elective surgery ban — which an infuriated Royal Australasian College of Surgeons president described as “putting commercial forces ahead of patient safety and the use of vital resources”, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
HERE’S A THOUGHT: Seeing as how we are already nicking socialist policies from UK Tories, it’s worth noting the Johnson government last week partly nationalised the rail system and eliminated competition laws for essential ferry routes. Just something to consider with private health, is all.
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A $1.1 BILLION HEALTH AND SAFETY PACKAGE
During an absolutely packed news weekend, the federal government also outlined a $1.1 billion health and safety package, including:
$669 million for telehealth, to ensure subsidised telephone or video-conferencing for GP services, mental health treatment, chronic disease management, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, and other specialised services;
$150 million for domestic violence support, with support for 1800RESPECT, Mensline Australia, Trafficked People Program, specialised shelter programs and a new ad campaign to target the recorded spike in family, domestic and sexual violence amid the pandemic;
$74 million for mental health support to go to the government’s digital mental health portal Head to Health, a new dedicated hotline from Beyond Blue, a new communications campaign, existing mental health providers, and programs for frontline health workers, aged care residents, students, and Indigenous Australians via Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia; and
$200 million for a community support package covering emergency and food relief for vulnerable Australians, the National Debt Helpline, and other financial counselling programs.
PS: The federal government has launched a new ‘Coronavirus Australia’ app, available through the Apple App Store, Google Play and as a new WhatsApp chatbot.
PPS: Starting today, Australia Post will offer both customers and pharmacies free delivery on medication and other essential supplies (under 500 grams) through the Pharmacy Home Delivery Scheme.
There, I think that’s the final federal announcement, but prove me wrong, deadline…
PUSH TO RELEASE VULNERABLE AND LOW-RISK PRISONERS
Amid fears of outbreaks across prison populations, 119 frontline Victorian legal and criminal practitioners have written to Attorney-General Jill Hennessy and Minister for Corrections Ben Carroll calling for humane decarceration during the pandemic. Specifically, the group calls to release:
elderly or immunosuppressed prisoners;
prisoners serving sentence for non-violent offending;
female prisoners eligible for release, especially prisoners who are pregnant;
young people who have access to accommodation and support in the community;
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
prisoners who are soon to be or are eligible for parole; and
people on remand who are unlikely to serve more than six months in custody.
IN RELATED NEWS: The push comes as New York City — already under unofficial quarantine amid America’s exponential spike in deaths — begins releasing people at the infamous Rikers’ Island prison, where, according to NYC’s Legal Aid Society, the population has the highest infection rate in the world at 3%.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Sorry, Australia, but an executive running a country with no other branches of government checking his/her power, is by definition called a dictator. Naomi Wolf
The controversial author and former political advisor asks a few Twitter questions about Morrison’s (constitutionally informal) national cabinet meetings that, as nature dictates, are put to rest by Antony Green.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Coronavirus: Spain, Italy demand help from European Union as crisis deepens
‘Show us the modelling, give us a time frame’: Experts’ plea to Morrison
Relief and anger as Australian cruise ship passengers stranded in Italy prepare for flight home
Store closures, jobs losses: Retail industry braces for another brutal week
This is what is happening to enforce coronavirus lockdowns around the country
More than 1800 Australians still stranded at sea
Coronavirus survivors’ blood plasma could be used to fight infection
‘We treat them like gold’: Aboriginal community rallies around elders
COVID-19 crisis: Interstate FIFO workers to be quarantined for two weeks before starting work in WA ($)
The perfect virus: two gene tweaks that turned COVID-19 into a killer
Brisbane lord mayor-elect backs ECQ inquiry after council poll troubles
THE COMMENTARIAT
Morrison must give us more detail if we are to trust his judgment — Sean Kelly (The Sydney Morning Herald): “But I’ve realised, over the past week, that this is no time for restraint. The government is not being upfront. If the press isn’t willing to hector government into sharing information while a deadly virus spreads through the population, then there really is no point to the press at all.”
Give people and businesses money now they can pay back later (if and when they can) — Linda Botterill, Bruce Chapman Director, Glenn Withers and Warwick McKibbin (The Conversation): “It is likely that once a vaccine is delivered by science, or even before, the economic recovery will begin. Thus the question: what are the most equitable ways to handle this major short-term trauma? There is an instrument that should be used to add to the size and efficacy of the necessary fiscal boost. Income contingent loans provide extra financial support without threatening future fiscal solvency.”
‘Go hard go early’ might work for NZ ($) — Luke Malpass (Australian Financial Review): “On midnight last Wednesday in New Zealand, something unimaginable even three weeks earlier happened: a state of emergency was declared and the country went into a ‘level four’ lockdown, effectively becoming a police state.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra


crikey--2020-05-22--Neglected to death: David Harris' life reveals the awful burden of mental illness

In the last months of his life , David Harris was gradually cut off from the mental health system that should have been supporting him .
David Harris died alone in his kitchen in early 2019 .
Found in July , his body was so decomposed that the coroner could not say exactly what day he died or how .
He was 55 , and for 35 of those years , western Sydney ’ s mental health system did its best to help Harris cope with severe schizophrenia .
Or did it ?
By the time he died , Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the services which had kept him in this world .
Bounced from service to service as programs were defunded — sometimes referred to some that didn ’ t even exist — the amount of care and contact Harris had with the community was cut back at every step .
Quiet and withdrawn , a common symptom of schizophrenia , he was unable to fight for better services when the ones he relied on were defunded .
Yet he needed them to cope .
Within the last five years of his life his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining family member , Leanne Longfellow said Harris had become very reserved .
“ Talking with him was a challenge… he didn ’ t like to answer the phone so we ’ d sent letters , ” she said .
“ He was my brother and I loved him very much.
” By early last year the only service provider he had left was the National Disability Insurance Scheme ( NDIS ) .
Within days or perhaps weeks of that being cancelled — because he had stopped answering phone calls and , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find out why — he was dead .
Losing the NDIS lifeline kept him in contact with the outside world .
Instead , Harris , unable to be heard or unwilling or incapable of speaking out , sank into oblivion .
A police report notes that when conducting a welfare check , “ police were immediately aware of the smell of decomposition ” .
Yet his neighbours , living with severe mental illness themselves , hadn ’ t noticed .
His cleaner had last stopped by on April 1 , the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Australia ’ s mental health support system is fractured and dysfunctional .
Information is not passed from service to service .
Community workers , untrained and underpaid , have little experience dealing with the complex needs of those living with mental illness .
Hospitals and rehabilitation centres , underfunded and over capacity even before COVID-19 , are ill-equipped to deal with mental health patients .
Patients often fall through the cracks .
David Harris fell as far as possible due , as Inq has discovered , to at least five separate failures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help him .
But his is not the only case .
There are stark parallels between his case and disability care recipient Ann Marie Smith who died last month from severe neglect .
Both were failed by a system designed to protect them .
Both should still be alive today .
What happened to them , should not be forgotten .
NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal board member Rob Ramjan told Inq without assertive carers and properly trained support workers , there ’ s a risk of cases like Harris ’ repeating themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with severe and persistent mental illness , you ’ re looking at high vulnerabilities and a high-risk person … the risk of them deteriorating is huge.
” Throughout the ‘ 80s and ‘ 90s , Harris flitted in and out of the sandstone buildings of Cumberland Hospital , one of Australia ’ s last dedicated psychiatric hospitals run by Western Sydney Mental Health Services .
Harris lived with lifelong paranoid schizophrenia , major affective disorder and bouts of depression .
He developed diabetes , hypertension and a few other physical illnesses .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before his illness developed , Harris was a happy , academically gifted boy with a mop of blonde hair .
He enjoyed reading sci-fi books and building go-karts to push around the streets of Guildford West , a small , quiet suburb in western Sydney .
His mental illness began manifesting in high school , childhood friend Mark Yendle told Inq .
Incredibly bright , it was a shock when Harris dropped out of school at the end of year 10 .
“ We noticed a change , ” Yendle said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to uni and be an academic , but he left high school … I remember thinking he was suffering.
” Harris was also a quiet man , unchallenging and unconfrontational .
When his illness became more severe , he withdrew even further — a problem given that under the NDIS model , clients are expected to assert what kind of care they want .
From 1998 until 2016 , there was little change in Harris ’ care .
He lived in public housing and was a member of the Community Housing Implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had regular check-ins and support .
The notes from when Harris was admitted to the system and discharged are strikingly similar : as an inpatient , his schizoid personality was “ characterised by feelings of paranoia , having weird thoughts , at times feeling the radio and TV were talking to him ” .
When he was discharged 20 years later from Western Sydney Mental Health — 11 months before his death — he had “ minor psychiatric symptoms such as voices ‘ television is talking about me ’ ” ( sic ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Community Rehabilitation Centre , where he was sent after CHIP closed down , is unclear .
His discharge notes say he did “ not show any resistance ” , with the consulting psychiatrist explaining “ it is time for [ Harris ] to move forward ” .
His sister and nominated carer Longfellow , who lives in South Australia , told Inq Harris had significant disabilities .
“ He did not have capacity , could not look after himself , needed support for so many things , ” she said .
“ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backyard during psychotic episodes .
He ’ d had support for 35 years and it was ripped away.
” When being quiet and complacent can kill you 2016 to 2018 was a tumultuous time for Harris : CHIP was shut down at the end of 2016 , replaced by the state-wide Pathways to Community Living Initiative ( PCLI ) .
Several cottages used by mental health patients at the hospital have since been demolished for the Parramatta light rail .
Harris was referred to Granville Community Rehabilitation Centre , where he saw a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home a few times a week .
Within two years , he had been discharged from this service , too .
A spokesperson for Western Sydney Local Health District told Inq patients were only transferred to the care of a GP if they had a suitable level of stability and good links with service providers .
The GP Harris was referred to had closed down six months earlier .
A source within the Western Sydney Local Health District told Inq Harris ’ discharge was , tragically , commonplace .
“ Community mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely flooded with people , ” they said .
“ People can ’ t do their jobs well , there ’ s simply not enough case managers .
They ’ re always discharging people who optimally shouldn ’ t be discharged .
“ If he was quiet he was likely discharged because he wasn ’ t making trouble … Those in the framework frequently end up in the hospital because they are hazardous , threatening , or there is something else making them a squeaky wheel.
” Funding hasn ’ t changed much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget has increased , the percentage allocated to mental health services remains the same at 7.6 % .
Unfortunately , for many living with mental health issues , becoming quiet and withdrawn is a symptom of illness — especially in people with schizophrenia .
A complex disease , schizophrenia can ’ t be cured , consultant psychiatrist and University of Sydney professor Anthony Harris told Inq .
“ Over time , people lose their cognitive flexibility and some of their IQ as they go into the illness , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes out the window , ” This makes organising NDIS and other social services a nightmare , he said .
In a progress note on Harris ’ case , staff from Granville noted that generally , “ client ’ s carers are closely involved in the discharge planning process ” .
This was not the case for Harris .
He had nominated his sister , Longfellow , as his carer two years prior — but when he was discharged he requested she not be notified .
Longfellow began worrying about Harris on July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been 56 .
Communication between the pair was spotty .
Harris was wary of the phone and preferred to post letters , and bouts of silence were not unusual .
But he would always put his apprehensions aside call Longfellow on his birthday .
“ Every year he makes the effort to ring me and this year , he didn ’ t .
I thought , ‘ that ’ s really strange ’ , ” she said .
His mental illness caused Harris to withdraw from social life , and his contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , at first , Longfellow wasn ’ t concerned .
“ In my mind , I thought that he had all the services and he previously had … I would just ring those services , and they ’ d check on him , ” she said .
She had no idea he had been discharged from most of his support networks .
At the time , Longfellow ’ s attention had been focused on her daughter , who has respiratory failure and multiple severe disabilities , and was in intensive care ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same day her daughter was discharged from the ICU , Longfellow called the NSW police to conduct a welfare check .
Three hours later , there was a knock at the door by the South Australia police .
David ’ s death torments Longfellow , who is a disability advocate and holds a doctorate in education .
She asks if she could have done more , but living interstate , a career , and caring for her own daughter with a disability , combined with David ’ s reluctance to communicate , meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often as she would have liked .
Like many others , Longfellow put her faith in the systems supposedly designed to protect people like David .
Sydney University Brain and Mind Centre senior lecturer Sebastian Rosenberg told Inq that around the time of CHIP ’ s closure , there had been a push to shut down psychiatric hospitals like Cumberland and to move everyone onto the NDIS model .
Along the way , many NGOs running community services lost grants and funding , forcing them to shut down .
“ NGOs say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ This was the straw that broke the camel ’ s back.
” From Granville Community Rehabilitation Services , where Harris had access to a psychiatrist and regular home check-ins by nurses , he was placed into the care of two NDIS providers , Flourish Australia and Community Connections .
The NDIS model focuses on giving choice and control to people with disabilities and requires self-managed participants to ask for services and shop around for a provider that suits them .
The system breaks down when people do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or use their funding , as was the case of Harris .
Flourish Australia provided weekly cleaning services and supported Harris in employment until he was too physically unwell to attend in 2018 , while Harris saw a support worker through Community Connections .
Both were funded by the NDIS .
While Harris ’ cleaning services continued until his funding ceased , it ’ s unclear the last time a Community Connections support worker checked in on him .
A spokesperson for Flourish Australia said even if NDIS funding was cancelled , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients until a new plan is in place , or the client cancels the service .
Community Connections CEO Melissa Way didn ’ t respond to Inq ’ s questions on whether any new policies had been put in place since Harris ’ death .
Longfellow said she was told a Community Connections support worker stopped visiting Harris because his phone had been disconnected .
Longfellow disputes this .
She says she checked Telstra and his phone was still connected .
Ramjan told Inq being assigned an NGO was a lottery : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the level of accountability in both government and non-government services is not what you ’ d hope for.
” Limited NDIS funding for services meant companies hire cheap support workers — many of whom hadn ’ t even finished high school , he said .
“ People with severe mental illness need an assertive follow-up , ” Ramjan said .
“ You can ’ t just allow someone to drift and have them not answer the door … The risk of the person deteriorating is huge.
” Requiring people with schizophrenia to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply not a solution , Ramjan said .
“ A lot of those who qualify have delusions and believe nothing is wrong with them .
Why would they apply for a disability package ?
Straight away there ’ s a barrier there .
The structures are not appropriate .
If he doesn ’ t have the capacity to apply on his own , who is going to help ?
” Fighting for better access to care is a familiar theme in Joanne ’ s* life .
She and her husband are the full-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lives with schizophrenia .
Despite repeatedly asking for an NDIS support worker with experience in psychosocial disability care , no one with adequate qualifications has been assigned .
“ It ’ s difficult to find enough carers with experience in managing people with a severe and complex illness , ” Joanne told Inq .
“ [ Many workers ] have no idea about the risks or safety issues that might arise with managing someone who has command hallucinations ” .
Beatrice requires 24/7 supervision as her condition can deteriorate rapidly .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mental health crisis or acute care team .
When being advised about whether it was possible to develop a crisis management plan for Beatrice , she was told simply to call the 1800 crisis hotline .
“ That is the plan , ” she said .
Services are so limited , no respite care is available for Joanne ’ s family .
During Beatrice ’ s last hospitalisation , she was forced to wait for more than 12 hours in a resuscitation bed in the emergency department until a bed became available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no nurses with psychiatric training looking after Beatrice .
When Beatrice is released from hospital , her parents have to update her community health workers and therapist .
“ There ’ s no handover , ” Joanne said .
“ The system doesn ’ t work .
NDIS and in-house health systems don ’ t work as an integrated system .
It ’ s difficult to join them up.
” If Beatrice was left to the mercy of the system without her parents as carers , Joanne has no doubt : “ Beatrice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The five systems which failed There were five distinct systems which failed Harris .
Shutting down CHIP meant losing vital services and connections .
Being discharged from Granville , without informing his carer , meant he lost regular contact with the community .
David had a weekly standing appointment with his GP for injections of paliperidone , a treatment for schizophrenia .
When David stopped showing up , his GP did not call to conduct a welfare check .
Ordinarily , those living in housing commissions have annual client service visits .
Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who provided all of the case management for clients .
When Harris was discharged from Granville and lost his NDIS funding , a visit was scheduled by NSW Housing , but it never happened .
Finally , Harris ’ NDIS funding — which provided cleaning services , support workers and , when he was able , part-time employment — was cut off .
He didn ’ t respond to phone calls or letters from the NDIS , so they simply cancelled his funding and informed his NDIS service providers .
His NDIS-contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When , exactly , is still unknown .
An NDIS spokesperson told Inq that under its code of conduct , all providers must “ promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that might have an impact on the quality and safety of supports provided to people with disability ” .
An NDIA spokesperson said that after Harris ’ death , a new policy was introduced to ensure funding is no longer simply cut off .
Plans are automatically extended by 12 months .
An NDIS commission spokesperson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There were not breaches of the code of conduct by the provider ” .
The question remains as to who had responsibility for Harris ’ care .
Was it his GP ?
His NDIS provider ?
The housing commission , or Western Sydney Mental Health ?
In truth , it was all of them .
Each service provider had some responsibility to care for Harris but , at each step of the way , each one of them failed .
Mental health services across Australia are struggling financially .
Accountability is low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Harris ’ case , is unclear .
The coroner ’ s court is still deciding whether it will launch an inquiry into Harris ’ death .
His sister gravely hopes they do .
“ I have very few answers .
What I want to come out of this is no more people dying because of the gaps in the system .
”

David Harris died alone in his kitchen in early 2019. Found in July, his body was so decomposed that the coroner could not say exactly what day he died or how. He was 55, and for 35 of those years, western Sydney’s mental health system did its best to help Harris cope with severe schizophrenia.
Or did it?
By the time he died, Harris had lost access to all but one of the services which had kept him in this world. Bounced from service to service as programs were defunded — sometimes referred to some that didn’t even exist — the amount of care and contact Harris had with the community was cut back at every step.


crikey--2020-05-22--New South Wales: Social distancing, work, education, travel, fines

Here is the latest on social distancing in New South Wales .
This article will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed .
As of May 15 , social distancing in New South Wales has begun to ease .
Residents of New South Wales can now welcome up to 5 guests into their homes and 10 people can now gather in public .
Here is the latest update on : • What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
As of May 15 , residents of New South Wales can welcome up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time .
Groups of 10 people are allowed to gather in public .
Social distancing precautions , such as staying at least 1.5 metres apart , still apply during visits to other people ’ s homes and when gathering in public .
Under the new easing of restrictions , the following is allowed : • Up to 5 visitors can visit a private home ; • Up to 10 people can gather in public places ; • Weddings can now include up to 10 guests , excluding the couple and those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photographers , videographers and celebrants ; • Funerals and memorial services may have up to 20 guests present for indoor services and 30 guests present for outdoor services ; • Religious gatherings and places of worship may have up to 10 worshippers • Food and drink premises such as cafes , restaurants , bars and nightclubs may now seat 10 people at any one time .
• Outdoor swimming pools may reopen as long as there is a COVID-19 safe plan in place .
• Outdoor playgrounds and gym equipment may be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students will begin to attend school one day per week .
The number of students attending school is expected to increase gradually over the coming weeks .
While there is still no clear indication as to when most workers in NSW will return to work , Premier Gladys Berejiklian said work restrictions would be assessed on a regular basis and new guidelines regarding work could be passed in May .
Berejiklian caveated this promise with a warning that “ every time you relax a restriction , more people will get sick , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are travelling for an essential reason and are following social distancing rules , there are no limits on how far you can travel within NSW .
If you are using private modes of transport , social distancing rules apply and you should only travel with members of your household .
There are currently no restrictions on using public transport .
If you do need to use public transport , you should maintain a safe distance , avoid touching surfaces where possible and disinfect or wash your hands once you are off the mode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on crossing the NSW border , however , the border rules of other states will apply to you if you cross them and you need to have a reasonable reason to travel .
From June 1 , residents of New South Wales will be allowed to travel to regional areas for holiday purposes .
• Places of work that involve tasks that can not be carried out remotely , such as construction sites , farms , and mines .
What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health ACT 2010 , a breach of social distancing laws and regulations could amount in the maximum penalty for an individual of $ 11,000 , or imprisonment for six months , or both .
A further $ 5,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues .
The NSW Police may also issue on-the-spot fines of $ 1,000 for an offence .
In the case of corporations , the maximum penalty is $ 55,000 and a further $ 27,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues .
Read : When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WFH

As of May 15, social distancing in New South Wales has begun to ease. Residents of New South Wales can now welcome up to 5 guests into their homes and 10 people can now gather in public.
Here is the latest update on:
Social distancing in New South Wales
Education
Work
Travel
What’s open?
What are the fines if you don’t follow the rules?
(This article will be updated as new changes are implemented to keep you informed.)


crikey--2020-05-21--What happens to your body if you get coronavirus disease?

What happens to your body if you contract coronavirus disease ?
Here 's what is likely to happen if you are infected with coronavirus .
If you contract coronavirus disease , your lungs are likely to be the part of the body that is affected first .
Coronavirus is a respiratory condition and the symptoms of coronavirus will be largely connected to your respiratory organs .
When coronavirus enters the body , it begins attaching to cells , mostly in the lungs , in the same way that the common cold virus would .
The big difference is that coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why it can be so detrimental for those living with autoimmune conditions , or for elderly people who have weaker immune systems .
When coronavirus begins to infect the body ’ s cells and tissues , the immune system sends out a defence response .
The purpose of that response is to stop coronavirus from spreading .
A simplified way to think of it is : • Coronavirus enters the body and begins attaching to host cells • The immune system mounts a counter-attack to this invasion • The fight between coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tissue ) in the same way that a battlefield would be damaged .
If a person is infected with a large viral load of coronavirus , their immune system will have to fight harder to ‘ clean ’ the infected cells .
The higher the viral load that enters the body , the higher the potential for damaged lung tissue .
If a person is infected with coronavirus , there is no way to tell their body is mounting an immune response to this viral invasion .
However , the symptoms of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wrong .
If you have been infected with coronavirus disease , you are likely to experience the following symptoms : Less common symptoms of coronavirus disease , as reported by Mayo Clinic , include : Read : What are the signs and symptoms of coronavirus ?

If you contract coronavirus disease, your lungs are likely to be the part of the body that is affected first.
Coronavirus is a respiratory condition and the symptoms of coronavirus will be largely connected to your respiratory organs.
When coronavirus enters the body, it begins attaching to cells, mostly in the lungs, in the same way that the common cold virus would. The big difference is that coronavirus attacks the immune system, which is why it can be so detrimental for those living with autoimmune conditions, or for elderly people who have weaker immune systems.


crikey--2020-05-21--5 tips to help handle a long-distance relationship during lockdown

How do you maintain a long-distance relationship during the new normal ?
We share five tips to help you keep it human during a time when society is relying on technology more than ever .
A long-distance relationship can take on many forms .
While they are not always romantic , they can often be difficult to maintain .
The majority of us , in the face of the coronavirus pandemic , may find ourselves in a long-distance relationship with our partners , family and friends .
Maybe they are physically far away , or perhaps their health dictates that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if it ’ s for a 1.5-metre-social-distanced walk .
So how do you handle a long-distance relationship amid the stress we are all currently under ?
Here are five top tips from Crikey .
It is totally normal to feel like shutting yourself out from the outside world , even as coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in Australia .
A lack of routine and face-to-face human interaction may make it difficult to see the bright side , and the thought of a chaotic group call on Zoom may put you off having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nonetheless , maintaining some form of social life is important for your sense of wellbeing , so pick a handful of people you like talking to ( or more importantly , pick people who won ’ t want to talk solely about the c-word ) .
Set a time to talk to these people every week .
Setting a consistent time to chat will help you to punctuate your week , while also giving you and your loved one something to look forward to .
We may be living in a world that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that doesn ’ t mean you should only rely on a quick text to check in with the people you care about .
Make every call , FaceTime and text count .
Don ’ t multitask during phone calls .
Put distractions away and focus your energy on giving communication with the outside world the attention it deserves .
If it feels less overwhelming , choose a time during the day when you want to respond to your inbox .
If you are trying to keep a romantic relationship afloat , make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideas , such as watching a movie together , drinking the same wine , going through old photos , or simply doing a personalised quiz ( although I suspect the majority of us will never want to see another PowerPoint containing a quiz again after this ) .
Even in situations where you can ’ t physically be near your partner , you can make the most of it by getting creative and not sticking to a script of a quick daily catch-up .
Starting a project with loved ones is a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask the dreaded questions , like “ any news ?
” , to which most of us do not have much of a response .
Your project can cover all genres or interests .
Start a virtual book club , order the same jigsaw online , have debriefs on your favourite podcasts and movies , or set a fitness goal and strive to complete it together .
There are plenty of ways to be part of distant one ’ s routines without being physically present , and a project can help focus your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest facts and stats — and when you are likely to see them again .
We all have different ways of showing love .
It could be buying your parents a newspaper on a Sunday , or flowers for your girlfriend on a Friday .
Maybe you travel to the house you grew up in once a month or once a year for a family shindig .
Cancelled plans and an inability to reach the ones you love can be both frustrating and upsetting , but there are creative ways you can maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bought someone the newspaper on a weekly basis , you can set up a subscription for them from afar .
( Crikey also has some fantastic subscriptions on offer , for those wondering . )
If you once bought someone flowers on the regular , get them delivered .
If you ’ re missing Sunday lunches with the family or you can ’ t make a family event , get all the ingredients you need for a great time sent to both homes and set up your devices so you can still share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While it may feel like there is no light at the end of this tunnel , and the prospect of seeing the people you love seems slim , take solace in the fact technology is on our side — and there are ways we can use it to make us feel closer than ever before .
Read : Coronavirus travel ban | When will international flights re-open in Australia ?

A long-distance relationship can take on many forms. While they are not always romantic, they can often be difficult to maintain.
The majority of us, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, may find ourselves in a long-distance relationship with our partners, family and friends.
Maybe they are physically far away, or perhaps their health dictates that they cannot leave their homes, even if it’s for a 1.5-metre-social-distanced walk.


crikey--2020-06-03--The cards are stacked against cash, while customers drift towards Afterpay

Young people have gone bonkers for buy-now-pay-later services , making cash look even more like a loser .
Cash was @ @ @ @ @ of oblivion .
COVID-19 just kicked it over the edge .
The fear of fomites @ @ @ @ @ surfaces ) has much of Australia paying with anything but physical money these days .
@ @ @ @ @ the trend has been around longer than the virus .
The Reserve Bank has been @ @ @ @ @ things .
As well as the obvious -- the near-total demise of cheques -- it @ @ @ @ @ rapid shift in payments from cash to cards , as the next graph shows .

Cash was already teetering on the brink of oblivion. COVID-19 just kicked it over the edge.
The fear of fomites (viral particles passed via surfaces) has much of Australia paying with anything but physical money these days. Tap-and-go is ascendant.
But the trend has been around longer than the virus. The Reserve Bank has been tracking how we pay for things. As well as the obvious — the near-total demise of cheques — it has seen a huge and rapid shift in payments from cash to cards, as the next graph shows.


crikey--2020-06-03--Under COVID cover companies take AGMs to a whole new (lower) level

The AGM mini-season finished last week , and despite less scrutiny than usual , it was a giant step forward @ @ @ @ @ The annual general meeting ( AGM ) mini-season for companies with December 31 balance dates @ @ @ @ @ ASIC has granted a two-month extension for stragglers who couldn ’ t get their act @ @ @ @ @ .
Not many companies opted for delay beyond May 31 .
As this chronological list @ @ @ @ @ media AGM is being held tomorrow and G8 Education is scheduled for June 17 .
@ @ @ @ @ stuck with the usual timeframe meaning the likes of Rio Tinto , Woodside , Santos @ @ @ @ @ Sydney Airport , IRESS , Iluka Resources , OZ Minerals , Scentre Group , Adelaide @ @ @ @ @ AGMs in April or May .

The annual general meeting (AGM) mini-season for companies with December 31 balance dates finished on Friday, although ASIC has granted a two-month extension for stragglers who couldn’t get their act together during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Not many companies opted for delay beyond May 31.
As this chronological list shows, the oOH!media AGM is being held tomorrow and G8 Education is scheduled for June 17. However, all ASX100 companies stuck with the usual timeframe meaning the likes of Rio Tinto, Woodside, Santos, Alumina, AMP, Sydney Airport, IRESS, Iluka Resources, OZ Minerals, Scentre Group, Adelaide Brighton and CIMIC held their AGMs in April or May.


crikey--2020-06-05--Sure, let's all go on a winter holiday. Can we get more time and money to do it?

For Australians to travel more , we need two things that our economy increasingly denies us .
After months of @ @ @ @ @ home , the Victorian and NSW governments this week lifted most restrictions on tourism within @ @ @ @ @ other states have already allowed recreational travel , and interstate and trans-Tasman tourism is tipped @ @ @ @ @ months .
For many communities reliant on the visitor economy , the change provides hope @ @ @ @ @ floods and COVID-19 slashed economic activity .
With most international borders remaining closed for the @ @ @ @ @ even dreaming of a coming domestic tourism boom .
But while present conditions may produce @ @ @ @ @ road trips , we are unlikely to see a long-term revival of the `` laid @ @ @ @ @ holidays that Paul Hogan once mythologised .

After months of pleading with residents to stay home, the Victorian and NSW governments this week lifted most restrictions on tourism within your own state. Many other states have already allowed recreational travel, and interstate and trans-Tasman tourism is tipped to follow in the coming months.
For many communities reliant on the visitor economy, the change provides hope for recovery after bushfires, floods and COVID-19 slashed economic activity. With most international borders remaining closed for the foreseeable future, some are even dreaming of a coming domestic tourism boom.
But while present conditions may produce a temporary spike in regional road trips, we are unlikely to see a long-term revival of the “laid back”, achievable Aussie holidays that Paul Hogan once mythologised.


crikey--2020-04-29--A way out of Australia's China crisis: let Beijing buy Virgin

In one move , the Morrison government could put out an economic fire and and repair disintegrating relations with our @ @ @ @ @ Morrison may be doing a solid job on the virus in Australia -- with stellar @ @ @ @ @ state premiers -- but he is flailing when it comes to China .
The more @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s full frontal attack on China , and his bizarre demands for an @ @ @ @ @ government 's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak , the stranger it seems .
Doubling down @ @ @ @ @ the even more ludicrous plan of giving World Health Organisation officials similar investigation powers to @ @ @ @ @

Scott Morrison may be doing a solid job on the virus in Australia — with stellar, arguably career-saving help from state premiers — but he is flailing when it comes to China.
The more one looks at the Morrison government’s full frontal attack on China, and his bizarre demands for an independent inquiry into the Chinese government’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, the stranger it seems.


crikey--2020-04-29--COVIDSafe: moral shaming a nation is unAustralian, isn't it?

The prime minister and health minister are going to have to hone their skills of persuasion and pull back on @ @ @ @ @ .
As the emergency recedes , the animal spirits of the Morrison government reemerge .
@ @ @ @ @ one has made a couple of bold statements of intent and it ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ that seems to have caused the outbreak of explicit moralising .
First it spoke through @ @ @ @ @ Hunt , who has been a model of ecumenical dispassion through most of the crisis @ @ @ @ @ , however , by a form of popular resistance to the app .

As the emergency recedes, the animal spirits of the Morrison government reemerge. In the past few days one has made a couple of bold statements of intent and it’s the rollout of the COVIDSafe app that seems to have caused the outbreak of explicit moralising.
First it spoke through the Health Minister, Greg Hunt, who has been a model of ecumenical dispassion through most of the crisis.
He was sorely provoked, however, by a form of popular resistance to the app.


crikey--2020-04-29--Free advice from a young 'un: tax the rich when the COVID-19 'war' is over

We will need innovation , growth and spending power in our recovery period .
It 's not a time to @ @ @ @ @ , alarm bells !
Fiscal conservatives are talking sympathetically about young people again .
That @ @ @ @ @ : Australia , we 're in for another round of debt and deficit moralising .
@ @ @ @ @ by now accustomed to advocates of `` small government '' suddenly developing concern for our @ @ @ @ @ ticks up a notch .
They periodically use us as a rhetorical prop to espouse @ @ @ @ @ public expenditure , for we shall supposedly be saddled with higher taxes or fewer services @ @ @ @ @ years to come .
It might be believable if they showed a modicum of concern @ @ @ @ @ change or our unfair tax system -- far greater burdens on our collective future .
@ @ @ @ @ bargain seems to end right where their class interests begin , few of us buy @ @ @ @ @ .

Uh oh, alarm bells! Fiscal conservatives are talking sympathetically about young people again. That only ever means one thing: Australia, we’re in for another round of debt and deficit moralising.
We young ’uns are by now accustomed to advocates of “small government” suddenly developing concern for our futures whenever the debt-GDP ratio ticks up a notch. They periodically use us as a rhetorical prop to espouse the supposed evils of expanding public expenditure, for we shall supposedly be saddled with higher taxes or fewer services to pay the bills in years to come.
It might be believable if they showed a modicum of concern for, say, climate change or our unfair tax system — far greater burdens on our collective future. But given their preferred generational bargain seems to end right where their class interests begin, few of us buy the squawking about bogeyman creditors.