crikey--2020-05-31--Worm: States of unrest

Worm: States of unrest

Good morning , early birds .
Protests erupted across at least 30 states in the US in response to the police killing of unarmed black man George Floyd , with the police and national guard responding , among other things , with tear gas , rubber bullets and by arresting journalists .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Protests sparked by the police killing of unarmed black man George Floyd erupted over the weekend across at least 30 American states , with CNN reporting that cities such as Atlanta , New York and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as outbreaks of vandalism , fires and violence .
In Detroit , another man has been fatally shot after an unknown suspect fired shots into a crowd from a vehicle .
The surge in Black Lives Matter protests come after the officer videoed holding his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for more than eight minutes , Derek Chauvin , was on Friday charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter ; Floyd ’ s family has since called for first-degree charges and the charging of all four officers involved in Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here in Australia — where we have recorded at least one Indigenous death in custody per a month since 1991 , as The Guardian reported last year — Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance has planned solidarity marches in Melbourne and Brisbane this Saturday .
After breaking Twitter ’ s rules for glorifying violence over the US protests , Donald Trump has announced that he will not order the military to get involved .
However , The Nation reports that the military is reportedly monitoring demonstrations in at least seven US states .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and national guard have reacted in a completely normal fashion by : • tear-gassing , beating , shoving , tasering , and firing non-lethal pellets at protestors , reporters and/or residents filming from their own property ; • pulling a complying man ’ s COVID-19 mask off in order to pepper spray him ( New York ) ; • back in Minneapolis arresting journalists including one Nine team and — before getting around to the officer very clearly shown killing Floyd — black CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez and his TV crew .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has given major pathology companies lucrative COVID-19 contracts via limited tenders , protected their closed collection centres from takeovers , increased subsidies after industry lobbying , waived regular registration fees and promised additional assistance outside of JobKeeper .
In an unrelated bit of happenstance , The Age reports that a website set up by Nationals MP George Christensen to back his push for a China-COVID inquiry is linked to a business promoting sugar pills to treat urinary tract infections .
WHAT NEXT FOR STIMULUS ?
As The Australian ( $ ) and The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to sign off on a fourth stimulus package this week that could include home renovation grants , home buyer grants , and $ 1.75b in federal funding to the NSW government to fast-track construction of the Western Sydney Airport metro rail line service .
Finally , as The New Daily reports , former Labor leader and Shadow Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten has hit out at the federal government for acting like a “ legalised mafia ” over Robodebt , after Attorney-General Christian Porter admitted the scheme was unlawful and flawed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That Insiders interview followed the government ’ s Friday afternoon news drop that $ 720 million will be refunded for about 470,000 falsely-claimed welfare payments , and came just a few hours before , as The Guardian reports , they confirmed mutual obligations will resume for jobseekers from 9 June .
• Following consultation with state Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders , the Queensland government unveiled a three-stage plan to ease quarantine restrictions in remote communities ; key to the new roadmap will be transitioning from federal government-designated biosecurity areas to state-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two other state updates include : • unlimited intrastate travel from midday today — excluding those biosecurity or restricted zones for Indigenous communities — and increased capacity for bars , restaurants and cafes from 10 to 20 people ; and • a target of 25 % of all government purchases to come from state small and medium sized businesses from July 1 , a target that will be extended to 30 % by June 30 , 2022 .
• The NSW Government has announced a $ 3 billion Infrastructure and Job Acceleration Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redirected from the now-cancelled refurbishment of Stadium Australia — to be used for smaller , shovel-ready projects aimed at creating up to an extra 20,000 jobs .
• Victoria extended their State of Emergency another three weeks , until June 21 .
This comes after the government announced plans on Friday to solidify the “ if you can work from home , you must work from home ” rule as a new directive from the Chief Health Officer ; • From today , Tasmanian hospitals will allow visits between 2pm and 6pm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient at a time for most areas .
• Additionally , the state will this week introduce the Building and Construction ( Regulatory Reform Amendments ) Bill , a “ red tape cutting ” bill that includes legislative timeframes for the permit process for energy , water , sewerage services , and some planning processes that are not currently subject to any timeframes .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Just six days after a WA police officer pleaded not guilty to murdering Aboriginal woman Joyce Clarke , the Today Show ‘ s US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over racial violence .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Victorian government scrambling to contain coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne ’ s north-west Check your super balance .
Australians scammed out of thousands via the coronavirus early release scheme ‘ Lack of transparency ’ : Liu calls out Andrews on Belt and Road Britain ‘ could only cope with five cases a week ’ , papers reveal SpaceX ’ s Dragon capsule docks with the ISS with automatic docking Tough on crime : WA to get first 40-cell Supermax prison at Casuarina as part of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must bear witness to black deaths in our own country — Amy McQuire ( Substack/The Canberra Times ) : “ On Tuesday , the police officer charged with the murder of Aboriginal woman Joyce Clarke entered a not guilty plea .
You may not have heard about it .
In a search of the Factiva database over the past three months , I found only one article on Ms Clarke ’ s death — an AAP wire story that privileges the quote of the WA commissioner police over that of Ms Clarke ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report said , ‘ one of the saddest days ’ in his career ) .
Earlier today , NITV published a piece quoting Ms Clarke ’ s mother.
” Unis must put free speech above power and profit ( $ ) — Jennifer Oriel ( The Australian ) : “ An Australian university that suspends a student for protesting against Chinese Communist Party influence is neither Australian nor a university .
On Friday , a University of Queensland panel decided to bar student Drew Pavlou until 2022 .
It prevents the politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thus far , UQ has protected the faceless cowards who made the appalling decision.
” You may have just had the most expensive coffee of your life — Andrew Charlton ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ Early access to superannuation has formed part of the Morrison government ’ s support package to help households through COVID-19 .
But new data shows the policy is not working as planned .
For thousands of Australians , instead of tempering the crisis , the withdrawal of retirement savings will ensure its effects are felt @ @ @ @ @ @

POLICE VIOLENCE ESCALATES OVER NEW PROTESTS
Protests sparked by the police killing of unarmed black man George Floyd erupted over the weekend across at least 30 American states, with CNN reporting that cities such as Atlanta, New York and Washington have experienced mostly peaceful protests as well as outbreaks of vandalism, fires and violence. In Detroit, another man has been fatally shot after an unknown suspect fired shots into a crowd from a vehicle.
The surge in Black Lives Matter protests come after the officer videoed holding his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes, Derek Chauvin, was on Friday charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter; Floyd’s family has since called for first-degree charges and the charging of all four officers involved in Floyd’s death.
AUSTRALIA TO MARCH: Here in Australia — where we have recorded at least one Indigenous death in custody per a month since 1991, as The Guardian reported last year — Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance has planned solidarity marches in Melbourne and Brisbane this Saturday.
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
After breaking Twitter’s rules for glorifying violence over the US protests, Donald Trump has announced that he will not order the military to get involved. However, The Nation reports that the military is reportedly monitoring demonstrations in at least seven US states.
For their part, members of the police and national guard have reacted in a completely normal fashion by:
DRUGS FOR MATES
According to The Guardian, the federal government has given major pathology companies lucrative COVID-19 contracts via limited tenders, protected their closed collection centres from takeovers, increased subsidies after industry lobbying, waived regular registration fees and promised additional assistance outside of JobKeeper.
In an unrelated bit of happenstance, The Age reports that a website set up by Nationals MP George Christensen to back his push for a China-COVID inquiry is linked to a business promoting sugar pills to treat urinary tract infections.
WHAT NEXT FOR STIMULUS? As The Australian ($) and The New Daily report, the Morrison government plans to sign off on a fourth stimulus package this week that could include home renovation grants, home buyer grants, and $1.75b in federal funding to the NSW government to fast-track construction of the Western Sydney Airport metro rail line service.
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ROBODEBT WAS UNLAWFUL, SORRY-NOT-SORRY
Finally, as The New Daily reports, former Labor leader and Shadow Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten has hit out at the federal government for acting like a “legalised mafia” over Robodebt, after Attorney-General Christian Porter admitted the scheme was unlawful and flawed but refused to apologise for it.
That Insiders interview followed the government’s Friday afternoon news drop that $720 million will be refunded for about 470,000 falsely-claimed welfare payments, and came just a few hours before, as The Guardian reports, they confirmed mutual obligations will resume for jobseekers from 9 June.
STATE WRAP: QUEENSLAND NEW ROADMAP FOR REMOTE COMMUNITIES
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
[to American protestors]: I really appreciate you giving your perspective mate, because people in Australia don’t have the understanding of the history of police killings and things here. Alexis Daish
Just six days after a WA police officer pleaded not guilty to murdering Aboriginal woman Joyce Clarke, the Today Show‘s US correspondent captures an embarrassingly-Australian level of bewilderment over racial violence.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Rio Tinto apologises to traditional owners after blasting 46,000-year-old Aboriginal site
‘Bulging valleys’: Call for state to halt catchment coal mining
Victorian government scrambling to contain coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne’s north-west
‘Our worst tax’: opt-in stamp duty in tax overhaul ($)
Check your super balance. Australians scammed out of thousands via the coronavirus early release scheme
Coronavirus: Immigration crash to tear $40bn-a-year hole in Australian economy ($)
ATO to investigate $11m JobKeeper claim ($)
‘Lack of transparency’: Liu calls out Andrews on Belt and Road
Australian unions warn against push for effective pay cuts amid Covid-19 recovery
Britain ‘could only cope with five cases a week’, papers reveal
SpaceX’s Dragon capsule docks with the ISS with automatic docking
Tough on crime: WA to get first 40-cell Supermax prison at Casuarina as part of $182 million upgrade ($)
THE COMMENTARIAT
We must bear witness to black deaths in our own country — Amy McQuire (Substack/The Canberra Times): “On Tuesday, the police officer charged with the murder of Aboriginal woman Joyce Clarke entered a not guilty plea. You may not have heard about it. In a search of the Factiva database over the past three months, I found only one article on Ms Clarke’s death — an AAP wire story that privileges the quote of the WA commissioner police over that of Ms Clarke’s community (‘it was, the report said, ‘one of the saddest days’ in his career). Earlier today, NITV published a piece quoting Ms Clarke’s mother.”
Unis must put free speech above power and profit ($) — Jennifer Oriel (The Australian): “An Australian university that suspends a student for protesting against Chinese Communist Party influence is neither Australian nor a university. On Friday, a University of Queensland panel decided to bar student Drew Pavlou until 2022. It prevents the politics student from completing his final year. Thus far, UQ has protected the faceless cowards who made the appalling decision.”
You may have just had the most expensive coffee of your life — Andrew Charlton (The Sydney Morning Herald): “Early access to superannuation has formed part of the Morrison government’s support package to help households through COVID-19. But new data shows the policy is not working as planned. For thousands of Australians, instead of tempering the crisis, the withdrawal of retirement savings will ensure its effects are felt for decades to come.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Australia


crikey--2020-05-26--First the US, then Oz. What does Trump's guy have in mind for our COVID future?

It 's not entirely clear who appointed Andrew Liveris as `` special adviser '' to the COVID-19 commission , but @ @ @ @ @ out to hold enormous influence .
There are some big names on the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ but perhaps the biggest isn ’ t even technically a commissioner .
Andrew Liveris has @ @ @ @ @ special adviser ” and it ’ s not entirely clear who appointed him .
But @ @ @ @ @ very well turn out to be the most influential .
Here ’ s why .
@ @ @ @ @ his role as the former chair and chief executive of Dow Chemicals , where he @ @ @ @ @ Michigan-based company into one of the world ’ s largest corporations .
The Darwin-born business @ @ @ @ @ boards of Saudi Arabian Oil Company ( Saudi Aramco ) and oil and gas consultancy @ @

There are some big names on the government’s National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission but perhaps the biggest isn’t even technically a commissioner.
Andrew Liveris has been given the title “special adviser” and it’s not entirely clear who appointed him. But the business oligarch-turned-Trump cheerleader could very well turn out to be the most influential. Here’s why.
America first
Liveris is globally recognised for his role as the former chair and chief executive of Dow Chemicals, where he spent 40 years turning the Michigan-based company into one of the world’s largest corporations. The Darwin-born business leader also sits on the boards of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and oil and gas consultancy Worley.


crikey--2020-05-25--When will social distancing end in Australia?

When will social distancing end in Australia ?
Here ’ s what we know .
When will social distancing end in Australia ?
It ’ s the question at the back of all of our minds .
Social distancing , in some shape or form , is likely to be in place until a vaccine is produced to protect people against coronavirus , which spreads easily when the world is business as usual .
Once a vaccine is produced , lockdowns and social distancing are likely to lift further .
Currently , experts are saying that it may take 12-18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced and made readily available to the public .
Generally speaking , vaccines may take years to develop ; researchers and scientists across the world are currently working to pack years of trial and error into just a few months .
As it stands , there are around 80 clinical trials taking place around the globe to produce a coronavirus vaccine .
Here are just a sample : • Australian scientists have begun testing two types of vaccines on ferrets .
It is believed ferrets may contract coronavirus in the same way humans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial are likely to be available by mid-June • In the UK , 1,102 people have been recruited to trial a vaccine that was developed in just three months by Oxford University .
This is the first human trial in Europe , and the team behind the vaccine say they could produce one million doses , pending the data they garner from the experiment • In the US , vaccine trials run by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have presented with positive results .
For example , the first eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials have begun to produce neutralising antibodies in response to the vaccine .
While Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s three-stage roadmap to recovery will offer us insight into when some things will start to go back to ‘ normal ’ , it is unlikely we will experience a true normal until there is a vaccine to protect against coronavirus .
The second wave of the Spanish flu in 1918 is enough of a warning to remain cautious as lockdown measures slowly begin to lift .
And until a vaccine is widely available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will not be a second wave of coronavirus in Australia and further afield .
When will social distancing end ?
The real question is , when will there be a coronavirus vaccine ?
Until that day comes , sit tight and stay home , unless it ’ s essential .
Read : How long before a vaccine is ready ?

When will social distancing end in Australia? It’s the question at the back of all of our minds.
Social distancing, in some shape or form, is likely to be in place until a vaccine is produced to protect people against coronavirus, which spreads easily when the world is business as usual.
Once a vaccine is produced, lockdowns and social distancing are likely to lift further. Currently, experts are saying that it may take 12-18 months for a COVID-19 vaccine to be produced and made readily available to the public.


crikey--2020-05-26--Worm: NTEU abandons 'union-backed wage cuts'

Good morning , early birds .
The National Tertiary Education Union has largely abandoned its proposed National Jobs Protection Framework , and Scott Morrison will reportedly bring ACTU secretary Sally McManus on board a group of business representatives to discuss workplace relations reform .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
According to The Sydney Morning Herald , the National Tertiary Education Union has largely abandoned its proposed National Jobs Protection Framework — a plan to save 12,000 university jobs in the face of more than $ 4.5 billion in revenue shortfalls .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers receive 30-50 % of their pay in exchange for a general fall to 90-95 % — was rejected by 17 vice-chancellors and accepted by just three .
While NTEU national president Dr Alison Barnes laid the blame squarely at those VCs , the framework was also rejected by at least 1300 rank and file members decrying what they saw as union-backed wage cuts with negligible protection against redundancies .
PS : With JobKeeper still restricted to private universities , UNSW has told parents it will close one childcare centre by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to privatise the remaining three .
Both The Australian ( $ ) and Sydney Morning Herald report that Scott Morrison will bring ACTU secretary Sally McManus on board a group of business representatives from next week , as part of a forum series designed to create a new workplace relations deal by September .
The government , which has ditched the union-busting Ensuring Integrity Bill as a peace offering to the unions , will also bring in the Business Council of Australia , Master Builders Australia , Australian Industry Group , the Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other smaller organisations ahead of determining five workplace reform working groups .
POVERTY NOT POPULAR : While this is all very lovely , it ’ s worth pointing out that yesterday Morrison confirmed he would not extend JobKeeper or JobSeeker , even if , according to a new ABC/Vox Pop Labs poll , most Australians support maintaining the latter ’ s not-poverty rates .
In a double-whammy for Victorian Premier Dan Andrews , The Age reports that the Victorian government did not consult with DFAT before signing off on an infrastructure deal under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last October .
Secondly , and relatedly , the paper reports that a five year review by the Victorian Information Commissioner demonstrates a steady year-on-year decline in the release of freedom of information requests by state departments and agencies .
On the other side of the country , the ABC reports that six crew members of a livestock carrier docked in Fremantle have tested positive for COVID-19 .
While confirming the remaining , quarantined 42 crew members are “ currently well ” , WA Premier Mark McGowan has accused Border Force of allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week despite health concerns from as early as May 22 .
SHIP SHAPE : In a reminder of just how potent these clusters can be , Nine reports that a Queensland woman linked to the Ruby Princess likely carried a “ dormant ” version of the virus for 10 weeks before falling ill .
Right on National Sorry Day 2020 , WAToday and the ABC report that Rio Tinto destroyed a 46,000-year-old Aboriginal heritage site in WA ’ s Pilbara region in a mine blast over the weekend .
While Rio Tinto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into an iron ore mine in 2013 , subsequent archaeological digs found artefacts in rock shelters including : • the earliest known use of grindstone technology in Australia ; and • a 4000-year-old plaited hair belt with DNA linked to today ’ s Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people .
John Ashburton , chair of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama Land Committee , has expressed frustration over the lack of regulatory flexibility to account for new information , an issue Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt says will be covered by new state heritage legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of up to $ 500,000 for multicultural media outlets to continue delivering news , entertainment and information , and has extended the deadline to register pools and spas from June to November 1 , 2020 .
• NSW will match federal government funding and invest $ 12.8 million in frontline support for survivors of domestic violence during the crisis .
• The ACT government announced a series of in-depth guidelines for sector recovery from 11:59pm Friday 29 May , including a scalable , 20-to-150+ patron framework for the hospitality sector .
• ACT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for cultural events throughout the crisis , RISE Canberra , which will also facilitate the creation of the two-month , $ 240,000 Where You Are Festival , to launch July 10 , 2020 .
• The Queensland Government announced a further $ 500,000 to support stART , a new quick turnaround grant program for the state ’ s independent creative artists , producers , designers , technicians and arts workers .
• The NT government announced that former Dow Chemical Chairman and CEO , Andrew Liveris , and former Chief Minister , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-chairs of the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission .
• Check out Crikey ’ s profile on Liveris for how the business oligarch-turned-Trump cheerleader got the gig .
• Finally , the Tasmanian government will extend the temporary arrangements for cashless buses and the bus fare amnesty for all public school bus and general access services until Sunday July 5 , 2020 .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
In reducing human lives to corporate assets , advocates for reopening America technically improve slightly on their ‘ we ’ re all going to die anyway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABOUT IT Health Minister orders probe into use of counterfeit masks in hospitals Premier set to fast-track easing of restrictions but stands firm on border ( $ ) Coronavirus : We have defeated COVID-19 , says NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant ( $ ) Alleged paedophile Malka Leifer mentally fit to be extradited to Australia , Israeli court rules China will step up preparedness for armed combat amid coronavirus pandemic Brazil warned against reopening as it records more coronavirus deaths in 24 hours than the United States Scott Morrison has thrown out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old enemies work together ?
— Greg Jennett ( ABC ) : “ Locking people indoors together .
Forcing them to deal with others they might not normally choose to — for months on end .
It ’ s not hard to discern how the mind of Scott Morrison ticks these days : if mandated consensus roughly worked out OK for many household relations over the past three months , then why not give it a go on industrial relations , seems to be his figuring.
” Albanese and Chalmers must fix Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ ) — Graham Richardson ( The Australian ) : “ To win government , Labor must cast off this reputation of financial incompetence and look like it can govern and spend wisely .
Therein lies one big problem : you can not convince people that you have learned your lessons about the evils of big spending without revealing large chunks of your program.
” Don ’ t fall into the faux-progress trap : Australia still loves coal — Ketan Joshi ( RenewEconomy ) : “ Every single time Australia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have adopted in the first place , accolades come pouring in .
‘ They ’ ve taken a step forward ’ , was the cry , when Australia went from planning to use an accounting trick to reduce its 2030 Paris ambitions by half , to simply saying they ’ ll use them if they need to ( this is like saying a pass mark on a test is 50 % , unless you get 25 % or above , in which case it ’ s now 25 % — it defeats the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the option of failure ) .
Despite this blatant ruse , the change in wording was seen as progress.
” • Parliamentary inquiries will examine the 2019-20 bushfire season , 2018-19 ‘ Defence Major Projects and Future Submarine Project ’ reports , and Australia ’ s Family Law System .
• Amnesty Australia will launch a report on raising the age of criminal responsibility above at least 14 .
• Greens leader Adam Bandt will discuss ‘ Renewing Australia with a Green New Deal ’ in conversation with economist Richard Denniss as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Economics of a Pandemic ’ web series .
• Lowy Institute Executive Director Dr Michael Fullilove will speak in conversation with former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt on the state of the European Union after Brexit and COVID-19 , Sweden ’ s controversial approach to controlling the pandemic , and the transatlantic alliance as America ’ s presidential election approaches and Angela Merkel ’ s term draws to a close .

NTEU DITCHES ‘TAKE OUR WAGES’ TACTIC
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the National Tertiary Education Union has largely abandoned its proposed National Jobs Protection Framework — a plan to save 12,000 university jobs in the face of more than $4.5 billion in revenue shortfalls.
The national proposal — which would see laid-off workers receive 30-50% of their pay in exchange for a general fall to 90-95% — was rejected by 17 vice-chancellors and accepted by just three.
While NTEU national president Dr Alison Barnes laid the blame squarely at those VCs, the framework was also rejected by at least 1300 rank and file members decrying what they saw as union-backed wage cuts with negligible protection against redundancies.
PS: With JobKeeper still restricted to private universities, UNSW has told parents it will close one childcare centre by the end of this year and is potentially looking to privatise the remaining three.
SALLY FORTH
Both The Australian ($) and Sydney Morning Herald report that Scott Morrison will bring ACTU secretary Sally McManus on board a group of business representatives from next week, as part of a forum series designed to create a new workplace relations deal by September.
The government, which has ditched the union-busting Ensuring Integrity Bill as a peace offering to the unions, will also bring in the Business Council of Australia, Master Builders Australia, Australian Industry Group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other smaller organisations ahead of determining five workplace reform working groups.
POVERTY NOT POPULAR: While this is all very lovely, it’s worth pointing out that yesterday Morrison confirmed he would not extend JobKeeper or JobSeeker, even if, according to a new ABC/Vox Pop Labs poll, most Australians support maintaining the latter’s not-poverty rates.
DAN’S BAD DAY
In a double-whammy for Victorian Premier Dan Andrews, The Age reports that the Victorian government did not consult with DFAT before signing off on an infrastructure deal under China’s Belt and Road Initiative last October.
Secondly, and relatedly, the paper reports that a five year review by the Victorian Information Commissioner demonstrates a steady year-on-year decline in the release of freedom of information requests by state departments and agencies.
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THE SHIPPING NEWS
On the other side of the country, the ABC reports that six crew members of a livestock carrier docked in Fremantle have tested positive for COVID-19.
While confirming the remaining, quarantined 42 crew members are “currently well”, WA Premier Mark McGowan has accused Border Force of allowing the ship Al Kuwait to berth for a week despite health concerns from as early as May 22.
SHIP SHAPE: In a reminder of just how potent these clusters can be, Nine reports that a Queensland woman linked to the Ruby Princess likely carried a “dormant” version of the virus for 10 weeks before falling ill.
RIO TINTO DESTROYS 46,000 YEAR OLD INDIGENOUS SITE
Right on National Sorry Day 2020, WAToday and the ABC report that Rio Tinto destroyed a 46,000-year-old Aboriginal heritage site in WA’s Pilbara region in a mine blast over the weekend.
While Rio Tinto received ministerial consent to turn Juukan Gorge into an iron ore mine in 2013, subsequent archaeological digs found artefacts in rock shelters including:
a 28,000-year-old tool made from bone;
the earliest known use of grindstone technology in Australia; and
a 4000-year-old plaited hair belt with DNA linked to today’s Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people.
John Ashburton, chair of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama Land Committee, has expressed frustration over the lack of regulatory flexibility to account for new information, an issue Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt says will be covered by new state heritage legislation this year.
STATE WRAP
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Our capital stock hasn’t been destroyed, our human capital stock is ready to get back to work, and so there are lots of reasons to believe that we can get going way faster than we have in previous crises. Senior White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett
In reducing human lives to corporate assets, advocates for reopening America technically improve slightly on their ‘we’re all going to die anyway’ line of attack.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Boris Johnson sees junior minister resign over defence of top adviser’s coronavirus lockdown travel
Health Minister orders probe into use of counterfeit masks in hospitals
Premier set to fast-track easing of restrictions but stands firm on border ($)
Long-term unemployment set to explode without education funding boost
Coronavirus: We have defeated COVID-19, says NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant ($)
Alleged paedophile Malka Leifer mentally fit to be extradited to Australia, Israeli court rules
Pauline Hanson imposes ‘deadline’ of Thursday to reopen Queensland borders
Finder.com.au chief Fred Schebesta joins AAP suitors line-up ($)
China will step up preparedness for armed combat amid coronavirus pandemic
Brazil warned against reopening as it records more coronavirus deaths in 24 hours than the United States
THE COMMENTARIAT
Scott Morrison has thrown out the industrial relations rulebook, but can old enemies work together? — Greg Jennett (ABC): “Locking people indoors together. Forcing them to deal with others they might not normally choose to — for months on end. It’s not hard to discern how the mind of Scott Morrison ticks these days: if mandated consensus roughly worked out OK for many household relations over the past three months, then why not give it a go on industrial relations, seems to be his figuring.”
Albanese and Chalmers must fix Labor’s poor reputation for fiscal skill ($) — Graham Richardson (The Australian): “To win government, Labor must cast off this reputation of financial incompetence and look like it can govern and spend wisely. Therein lies one big problem: you cannot convince people that you have learned your lessons about the evils of big spending without revealing large chunks of your program.”
Don’t fall into the faux-progress trap: Australia still loves coal — Ketan Joshi (RenewEconomy): “Every single time Australia’s government discards an idea they never should have adopted in the first place, accolades come pouring in. ‘They’ve taken a step forward’, was the cry, when Australia went from planning to use an accounting trick to reduce its 2030 Paris ambitions by half, to simply saying they’ll use them if they need to (this is like saying a pass mark on a test is 50%, unless you get 25% or above, in which case it’s now 25% — it defeats the point of the pass mark to add in the option of failure). Despite this blatant ruse, the change in wording was seen as progress.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
Parliamentary inquiries will examine the 2019-20 bushfire season, 2018-19 ‘Defence Major Projects and Future Submarine Project’ reports, and Australia’s Family Law System.
Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro will address the National Press Club.
Perth
Amnesty Australia will launch a report on raising the age of criminal responsibility above at least 14.
Australia


crikey--2020-05-20--JobKeeper payments will add value to Australia's GDP

There 'll be some extra value for the government 's JobKeeper money when it 's included in GDP — but @ @ @ @ @ out .
It may come with a heady price tag , but the government 's @ @ @ @ @ spare its blushes when the June quarter GDP numbers are released in September by the @ @ @ @ @ ABS ) .
On Monday the ABS said JobKeeper payments would be included in the @ @ @ @ @ mean GDP figures for the June and September quarters ( at least ) will be @ @ @ @ @ ABS said JobKeeper payments would `` be classified as an ‘ other subsidies on production @ @ @ @ @ eligible employers ” .
That was one choice for the ABS .
The other was @ @ @ @ @ a production subsidy but as a `` social benefit '' , which would have meant @ @ @ @ @ the national accounts .

It may come with a heady price tag, but the government’s massive JobKeeper expenditure will help spare its blushes when the June quarter GDP numbers are released in September by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
On Monday the ABS said JobKeeper payments would be included in the national accounts, which will mean GDP figures for the June and September quarters (at least) will be better than expected.
The ABS said JobKeeper payments would “be classified as an ‘other subsidies on production’ paid from government to eligible employers”. That was one choice for the ABS. The other was to classify JobKeeper not as a production subsidy but as a “social benefit”, which would have meant it was not included in the national accounts.


crikey--2020-05-24--Fixing JobKeeper's flaws would be a sign of leadership not weakness

The JobKeeper program was a good-ish response under the circumstances .
But that does n't mean it was perfect , @ @ @ @ @ it better would be an admission of failure .
My keenest post-COVID wish is for @ @ @ @ @ .
The Australian public ’ s response to COVID-19 has demonstrated our collective capacity for @ @ @ @ @ to hold two competing concepts in our head at once , to make rational choices @ @ @ @ @ doing so in a context of uncertainty .
Imagine if our politicians took notice of @ @ @ @ @ it ?

My keenest post-COVID wish is for the end of binary politics.
The Australian public’s response to COVID-19 has demonstrated our collective capacity for nuanced thinking; the ability to hold two competing concepts in our head at once, to make rational choices while accepting that we are doing so in a context of uncertainty.
Imagine if our politicians took notice of that proof and acted on it?


crikey--2020-05-24--With Trad out of the way, the choice facing Queenslanders becomes more clear

October ’ s Queensland state election is increasingly shifting away from being a referendum on Labor ’ s record in government to a choice between Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deb Frecklington .
This story was originally published by InQueensland .
Elections shape up as either a referendum or a choice — will voters deliver a judgement on the performance of the incumbent or will they choose between two leaders and their visions ?
The last federal election , held a year ago this week , is a textbook example of these competing models .
Bill Shorten ’ s Labor opposition was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing : a referendum on six years of Coalition government spinning through the revolving door of dysfunctional leadership , covering the Tony Abbott , Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison years .
Given the collapse in the Coalition vote after the toppling of Turnbull by Morrison in September 2018 — reflected by a record run of losing Newspolls — this was the best strategic course to follow .
However , Morrison and his cunning campaign team — who had nothing to lose — identified and zeroed in on the key fault in this strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referendum strategy and presenting himself as the alternative prime minister , was consistently unpopular and , saddled with a policy agenda both poorly explained and too bulky , was easily painted as a risk .
During the weeks leading up to the campaign and through to polling day , the Coalition constructed the case for voters making a choice between Morrison and Shorten .
While voters might have had misgivings about the years of Coalition dysfunction , the choice between the competing leaders and their agendas held sway and Morrison came out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The same shifting of the electoral sands is emerging in Queensland .
The LNP Opposition has always framed its best chance of beating Annastacia Palaszczuk ’ s government by making the October 31 election a referendum on the last two terms of Labor in power .
Three major themes were at play : a sluggish economy where the regions were often left behind , perceived and actual dominance of major unions and the laundry list of scandals attached to South Brisbane MP Jackie Trad .
The LNP campaign was almost too easy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner , especially if the influence of Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer is reduced through lower voting outcomes and a more disciplined pro-conservative preference flow .
This game plan shifted when just over a week ago Trad resigned as deputy premier and treasurer following the ramping up of a Crime and Corruption Commission probe into an education department scandal in which she found herself embroiled .
Trad had become a lightning rod for anger and antagonism towards the Palaszczuk government , especially outside the southeast corner of the state .
Removing her from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s chances and it diminishes the impact of the referendum strategy pursued by the LNP .
The other positive for Labor in Trad ’ s removal is that the government has in Cameron Dick a treasurer who speaks Queensland , especially the language understood outside the southeast .
He wasted no time in telling voters he appreciated the importance of the state ’ s economic drivers — mining and agriculture .
Dick also demonstrated he was willing to have a go , launching a robust bid to help rescue the ailing Virgin Airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most staff in the state , as well as maintaining the regional routes .
The Virgin gambit is in flux but his handling of it has most probably been a positive with voters .
The economic triumvirate of Dick , State Development , Tourism and Innovation Minister Kate Jones and Anthony Lynham , who looks after Natural Resources , Mining and Energy , gives the government a chance to reframe the jobs and growth agenda and argument , especially coming out of the COVID-19 economic fallout .
The government is working with local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job-creating development plan , expected to be rolled out in the middle of June .
All this allows Labor to shift the looming election battle to a choice between Palaszczuk and the LNP ’ s Deb Frecklington .
Palaszczuk is not the asset she was in November 2017 , when she turned a minority Labor government into a majority with a net gain of eight seats .
Despite having lost some political paint in the battles of the last three years — and the cost of carrying Trad — the Premier remains competitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any real impact with voters .
It ’ s damning for the LNP and Frecklington that most conversations around the opposition leader involve whether she should be replaced , with whom and how it might be done .
Gold Coast MP David Crisafulli is most often mentioned as an alternative .
Originally from far north Queensland , the former TV journalist and later Townsville MP was a minister in the short-lived government of Campbell Newman before heading south to find a safer seat and get closer to his leadership ambition .
While he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffers from a reputation as something of a lightweight and some in the LNP doubt he has the goods to win an election .
Frecklington ’ s deputy Tim Mander is also in the mix and he is someone who ’ s definitely not afraid to take the fight up to Labor .
He has a strong appeal among males in their 30s and 40s — a key demographic weakness for the ALP .
The departure of Trad has turned up the volume of the draft Crisafulli campaigners in the hope of neutralising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re in the middle of an unprecedented and unpredictable crisis , more than five months out from the election , means the number of moving parts in the coming contest has grown exponentially .
Saying the outcome of an election is anyone ’ s guess is usually dismissed as a cliche .
Not this time .

This story was originally published by InQueensland.
Elections shape up as either a referendum or a choice — will voters deliver a judgement on the performance of the incumbent or will they choose between two leaders and their visions?
The last federal election, held a year ago this week, is a textbook example of these competing models.


crikey--2020-05-25--Power of the press grows ever weaker as sales slump to new COVID-19 lows

Printed newspapers ' circulation has plummeted over two decades and the pandemic is another kick in the guts .
Yesterday @ @ @ @ @ the inherent power of newspapers in print with its deliberately anachronistically designed all-text front page @ @ @ @ @ “ U.S .
deaths near 100,000 , an incalculable loss ” .
It landed with @ @ @ @ @ usual on about 1 million doorsteps on Sunday morning , most of them in greater @ @ @ @ @ already started dramatically reshaping the way America understands the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ mass medium print derives its power from that combination of journalism , design and scale @ @ @ @ @ the journalism ( if not the understated design ) the continued decline in print means @ @ @ @ @ mass scale to create that impact .

Yesterday The New York Times demonstrated the inherent power of newspapers in print with its deliberately anachronistically designed all-text front page under a downplayed single-deck headline “U.S. deaths near 100,000, an incalculable loss”.
It landed with a more metaphorical thud than usual on about 1 million doorsteps on Sunday morning, most of them in greater New York. It has already started dramatically reshaping the way America understands the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s a reminder that as a mass medium print derives its power from that combination of journalism, design and scale. While Australian papers retain the journalism (if not the understated design) the continued decline in print means they no longer have the mass scale to create that impact.


crikey--2020-05-22--What has been lost from pub culture during the lockdowns?

The glorious reopening of pubs in NSW is a reminder of something the country is slowly losing — a vital @ @ @ @ @ fabric .
On a glum , drizzly Thursday afternoon , there ’ s a tiny @ @ @ @ @ Warren View Hotel .
“ People are just happy to come in and sit in @ @ @ @ @ .
People just needed to decompress , ” says Tanya Damianakis , who runs the @ @ @ @ @ her husband Theo .
On a neighbouring table , Gary from nearby Erskineville said he @ @ @ @ @ afternoon walking all over the area looking for an open pub .
Just when he @ @ @ @ @ he found the Warren View , and a day later is back with three friends @ @ @ @ @ and relief is infectious .

On a glum, drizzly Thursday afternoon, there’s a tiny sense of euphoria at the Warren View Hotel.
“People are just happy to come in and sit in the pub for an hour. People just needed to decompress,” says Tanya Damianakis, who runs the inner west Sydney pub with her husband Theo.
On a neighbouring table, Gary from nearby Erskineville said he’d spent the previous afternoon walking all over the area looking for an open pub. Just when he was about to give up he found the Warren View, and a day later is back with three friends. Their sense of joy and relief is infectious.


crikey--2020-05-25--Worm: Send for the JobMaker

Worm: Send for the JobMaker

Good morning , early birds .
Scott Morrison will today outline a recovery vision called 'JobMaker ' , and an ABC investigation has found that the much-touted 'Western governments dossier ' is not so explosive after all .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Speaking at the National Press Club today , Scott Morrison will outline a vision to reset economic growth called “ JobMaker ” — because of course — that will focus on an overhaul of the skills and training and industrial relations systems .
As ABC and The Australian ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the national cabinet to overhaul TAFE , establish a uniform price for training costs , and target spending on the number of available places according to industry needs .
Other subjects including tax reform , deregulation , energy and federation will be addressed at a later date .
A TAFE BET : After the government made JobKeeper effectively impossible for public universities by applying a six month , not one month , income loss requirement , The Australian ( $ ) reports that Deakin University has announced that 400 jobs will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SO EXPLOSIVE AFTER ALL Shocking roughly nobody , an ABC investigation has found that the much-touted “ Western governments dossier ” used by the Saturday Telegraph and Daily Telegraph to link the COVID-19 pandemic to a Wuhan lab was in fact a “ widely distributed — and deniable — background document created by the US State Department.
” Rather than specifying any new information , the document contains a timeline of dot points about the Chinese government ’ s behaviour from publicly available media and scholarly articles .
In order to counter China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ABC reports that the government will spend $ 17 million to stream our very best content into the region i.e .
The Voice , Border Security , Neighbours and MasterChef .
It ’ s just a shame we didn ’ t have an existing , slightly less white , and generally much better network in place .
Some kind of “ Australia Network ” , if you will .
The Age reports that a public education campaign seeking to unify support for a proposal to officially enshrine a First Nations voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Heart ’ project , will launch today — three years after the landmark Uluru Statement .
While research by CT Group has support for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations voice at about 50 % , with about a third unsure , the campaign will both seek to target groups who are unaware of the proposal and aim to get a referendum back on the political agenda .
Finally , in just a truly upsetting COVID-era marketing campaign , global aviation company VistaJet has launched a package for the ultra-rich to safely reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ risking exposure to the germ-ridden masses ” ; fly a sanitised jet to a yacht moored in Malta , where the company is based and only 611 cases have been identified .
ULTRA RICH KEEP GETTING ULTRA RICHER : The news comes after progressive think tank ‘ Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute for Policy Studies ’ found that the total net worth of all American billionaires rose US $ 434 billion ( A $ 663 billion ) since state lockdowns began on March 19 .
Because that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yesterday , the South Australian government announced that pubs , gyms , cinemas , places of worship , beauty salons and other sites can have up to 80 people on their premises from 1 June , as long as they comply with appropriate safeguards .
Contact training and non-contact outdoor sport competitions will also be able to re-commence , while contact competition can relaunch from June 25 .
• Similarly , the Western Australian government announced plans to further ease Phase 2 regional travel restrictions on Friday , 29 May .
Regional boundaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are bound by the Commonwealth ’ s designated biosecurity determination and 274 remote Aboriginal communities , which the government is aiming to lift by Friday , June 5 .
• Finally , the Tasmanian government announced that the Premier ’ s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council will undertake a three-stage consultation process as part of their work reporting on the state ’ s short , medium , longer term social and economic recovery .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
According to leaked passages from today ’ s National Press Club speech , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record high carbon emissions will co-opt an Indigenous concept of sustainable land management to frame recession-era spending .
The leak doesn ’ t specify where spending will be reduced , but it might just have something to do with the $ 60 billion JobKeeper underspend .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Eden-Monaro byelection to be on July 4 German govt to climb aboard at Lufthansa in virus rescue Lawyers for student Drew Pavlou demand University of Queensland sack Chinese diplomat from role Free TAFE enrolments almost double in first year , 118 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will keep people in fake jobs ( $ ) — John Kehoe ( AFR ) : “ The $ 60 billion JobKeeper underspend has the government considering extending the duration of the wage subsidies beyond six months for coronavirus-crippled industries such as tourism and aviation .
But lengthening the support for businesses that can not afford to stand on their own two feet by late September will impede the necessary shift of people out of dead-end illusory jobs that are sadly never returning.
” Josh Frydenberg ’ s credibility just went backwards by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albanese ( The Australian ) : “ We ’ re talking about the hundreds of thousands of Australian workers excluded from JobKeeper payments on the basis that the program was full .
We ’ re talking about more than a million casual workers employed for less than a year ; employees of councils and universities , and people who work in the entertainment industry .
In denying these workers support , the government sent a clear message that some Australians are less worthy of support than others.
” Take lessons from First Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better country — Rona Glynn-McDonald ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ As a proud Kaytetye woman caught between many worlds , I have drawn on the traditional ways of my people to cope with the new realities of COVID-19 .
This First Nations knowledge has lessons for all Australians .
It can shape the future in a post-COVID society.
” • The Senate inquiry into the government ’ s COVID-19 response will hear from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission , Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Regional Australia will also hold a public hearing .
• Today is National Sorry Day , to commemorate the historic and ongoing mistreatment of Indigenous Australians .

JOBMAKER, JOBMAKER, MAKE ME A JOB
Speaking at the National Press Club today, Scott Morrison will outline a vision to reset economic growth called “JobMaker” — because of course — that will focus on an overhaul of the skills and training and industrial relations systems.
As ABC and The Australian ($) report, Morrison will push for the national cabinet to overhaul TAFE, establish a uniform price for training costs, and target spending on the number of available places according to industry needs. Other subjects including tax reform, deregulation, energy and federation will be addressed at a later date.
A TAFE BET: After the government made JobKeeper effectively impossible for public universities by applying a six month, not one month, income loss requirement, The Australian ($) reports that Deakin University has announced that 400 jobs will be cut.
WUHAN ‘DOSSIER’ NOT SO EXPLOSIVE AFTER ALL
Shocking roughly nobody, an ABC investigation has found that the much-touted “Western governments dossier” used by the Saturday Telegraph and Daily Telegraph to link the COVID-19 pandemic to a Wuhan lab was in fact a “widely distributed — and deniable — background document created by the US State Department.”
Rather than specifying any new information, the document contains a timeline of dot points about the Chinese government’s behaviour from publicly available media and scholarly articles.
THE HONOURABLE AMBASSADOR TOADFISH REBECCHI
In order to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific, the ABC reports that the government will spend $17 million to stream our very best content into the region i.e. The Voice, Border Security, Neighbours and MasterChef.
It’s just a shame we didn’t have an existing, slightly less white, and generally much better network in place. Some kind of “Australia Network”, if you will.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
‘FROM THE HEART’ PROJECT TO LAUNCH
The Age reports that a public education campaign seeking to unify support for a proposal to officially enshrine a First Nations voice to Parliament, called the ‘From the Heart’ project, will launch today — three years after the landmark Uluru Statement.
While research by CT Group has support for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations voice at about 50%, with about a third unsure, the campaign will both seek to target groups who are unaware of the proposal and aim to get a referendum back on the political agenda.
A YACHT TO TALK ABOUT
Finally, in just a truly upsetting COVID-era marketing campaign, global aviation company VistaJet has launched a package for the ultra-rich to safely reach yachts without, as Bloomberg puts it, “risking exposure to the germ-ridden masses”; fly a sanitised jet to a yacht moored in Malta, where the company is based and only 611 cases have been identified.
ULTRA RICH KEEP GETTING ULTRA RICHER: The news comes after progressive think tank ‘Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute for Policy Studies’ found that the total net worth of all American billionaires rose US$434 billion (A$663 billion) since state lockdowns began on March 19. Because that’s just how that country works!
STATE WRAP: SA, WA UPDATE RECOVERY PLANS
Yesterday, the South Australian government announced that pubs, gyms, cinemas, places of worship, beauty salons and other sites can have up to 80 people on their premises from 1 June, as long as they comply with appropriate safeguards. Contact training and non-contact outdoor sport competitions will also be able to re-commence, while contact competition can relaunch from June 25.
government announced that pubs, gyms, cinemas, places of worship, beauty salons and other sites can have up to 80 people on their premises from 1 June, as long as they comply with appropriate safeguards. Contact training and non-contact outdoor sport competitions will also be able to re-commence, while contact competition can relaunch from June 25. Similarly, the Western Australian government announced plans to further ease Phase 2 regional travel restrictions on Friday, 29 May. Regional boundaries will be lifted except for regions that are bound by the Commonwealth’s designated biosecurity determination and 274 remote Aboriginal communities, which the government is aiming to lift by Friday, June 5.
government announced plans to further ease Phase 2 regional travel restrictions on Friday, 29 May. Regional boundaries will be lifted except for regions that are bound by the Commonwealth’s designated biosecurity determination and 274 remote Aboriginal communities, which the government is aiming to lift by Friday, June 5. Finally, the Tasmanian government announced that the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council will undertake a three-stage consultation process as part of their work reporting on the state’s short, medium, longer term social and economic recovery.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
[The second principle of ‘JobMaker’ will be] caring for country, a principle that Indigenous Australians have practiced for tens of thousands of years … This is as much true for our environmental, cultural and natural resources as it for our economic and financial ones. Governments must live with their means, to not impose impossible debt burdens on future generations. Scott Morrison
According to leaked passages from today’s National Press Club speech, the leader of a government responsible for record high carbon emissions will co-opt an Indigenous concept of sustainable land management to frame recession-era spending.
The leak doesn’t specify where spending will be reduced, but it might just have something to do with the $60 billion JobKeeper underspend.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Australia heading into new ‘fire age’, warns global fire historian
Eden-Monaro byelection to be on July 4
Frydenberg moves to shield boards from class action lawsuits
Andrews government used China deal to target Liberal seats
German govt to climb aboard at Lufthansa in virus rescue
‘I don’t regret what I did’: Boris Johnson’s top adviser Dominic Cummings defends breaking lockdown
Australia stalls on emissions target update as UN urges deeper cuts
‘Sad times’: Bernard Collaery laments ‘now fragile democracy’ as pre-trial hearing takes place in secret
Public servants, army rush to cash out super, claiming hardship ($)
Counterfeit face masks sold to Australian hospitals
Lawyers for student Drew Pavlou demand University of Queensland sack Chinese diplomat from role
Free TAFE enrolments almost double in first year, 118 per cent surge in female students
THE COMMENTARIAT
A longer JobKeeper will keep people in fake jobs ($) — John Kehoe (AFR): “The $60 billion JobKeeper underspend has the government considering extending the duration of the wage subsidies beyond six months for coronavirus-crippled industries such as tourism and aviation. But lengthening the support for businesses that cannot afford to stand on their own two feet by late September will impede the necessary shift of people out of dead-end illusory jobs that are sadly never returning.”
Josh Frydenberg’s credibility just went backwards by $60bn ($) — Anthony Albanese (The Australian): “We’re talking about the hundreds of thousands of Australian workers excluded from JobKeeper payments on the basis that the program was full. We’re talking about more than a million casual workers employed for less than a year; employees of councils and universities, and people who work in the entertainment industry. In denying these workers support, the government sent a clear message that some Australians are less worthy of support than others.”
Take lessons from First Nations to come out of COVID crisis a better country — Rona Glynn-McDonald (The Sydney Morning Herald): “As a proud Kaytetye woman caught between many worlds, I have drawn on the traditional ways of my people to cope with the new realities of COVID-19. This First Nations knowledge has lessons for all Australians. It can shape the future in a post-COVID society.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The Senate inquiry into the government’s COVID-19 response will hear from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy, and the Department of Health. The Select Committee on Regional Australia will also hold a public hearing.
Australia


crikey--2020-05-22--To save Australian arts we don't need lobbyists, we need movie stars

Behind-the-scenes lobbying for the arts has been far less effective than using public figures to garner support .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ shine .
The one sector in Australia not getting back to business as usual , @ @ @ @ @ imminent resuscitation , continues to be the performing arts .
Many museums and galleries are @ @ @ @ @ the music and theatre worlds have no idea on just how many more months they @ @ @ @ @ Recognising the need to be visible , some of the major theatre companies like Belvoir @ @ @ @ @ ( STC ) are offering a flurry of livestreaming events this weekend .

The one sector in Australia not getting back to business as
usual, and with no hint of imminent resuscitation, continues to be the
performing arts.
Many museums and galleries are reopening from June, but the
music and theatre worlds have no idea on just how many more months they will be
completely shuttered.
Recognising the need to be visible, some of the major
theatre companies like Belvoir and the Sydney Theatre Company (STC) are offering
a flurry of livestreaming events this weekend.


crikey--2020-04-26--Worm: COVIDSafe app makes a splash

Worm: COVIDSafe app makes a splash

The government 's COVIDSafe app has reportedly hit 1 million downloads , but the privacy debate continues .
Plus : Western Australia eases stay-at-home restrictions , allowing gatherings of up to 10 people .
Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced that , within five hours of launching , the new contact tracing app COVIDSafe has been downloaded by 1 million people .
The latest Newspoll ( $ ) suggests that a total of 54 % of residents are prepared to sign up .
The Health Department released the app , the privacy impact assessment , and their PIA response earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a passing familiarity with the anti-encryption laws , robodebt or My Health Record may have a question or two about the app .
Hunt has pledged a series of protections : • Only state and territory health agencies will have access to encrypted contact tracing data , which will be stored in Australia on Amazon servers • Anyone who accesses the data illegally faces up to five years in jail , according to a new determination made under the Biosecurity Act • The determination also explicitly prohibits pressuring anyone to download the app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be deleted automatically after 21 days • Data stored at the server will be deleted at the user ’ s request and/or when the pandemic is over • Authorities will be explicitly barred from accessing data under new legislation to be introduced mid-May .
QUICK QUESTION : As the ABC reports , Hunt promised that “ not even a court order ” can override protections from authorities , but does that also cover the Assistance and Access Bill 2018 ?
Remember that one ?
The one that forces tech companies to let cops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it ?
A coalition of medical bodies , including the Australian Medical Association , has endorsed the COVIDSafe platform .
But an alliance of digital rights groups has outlined a series of requirements for the government to “ earn the public ’ s trust ” : • “ publish the source code not only of the app , but for the entire system at the government ’ s end ( both state and federal ) • “ provide for independent oversight and mandatory public reporting of all uses of the data • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police and intelligence agencies using their anti-encryption powers , to use the app to access any information on a person ’ s phone.
” The Law Council of Australia ’ s President Pauline Wright points to similar concerns , including ambiguities over when the obligation to delete data comes into effect ( i.e .
when is the pandemic really “ over ?
” ) Western Australia has announced an easing of restrictions from today ; the two-person rule has been lifted , with gatherings of up to 10 people now permitted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flattens to a seven-day stretch of below 25 new cases per day — a solid effort considering we averaged well over 300 in the last week of March .
Meanwhile , Queensland will ease stay-at-home restrictions from Saturday and allow residents within 50km of their house with either members of their household or one friend .
While still requiring social distancing and hygiene practices , Queensland will also reopen some national parks .
Finally , The NT News ( $ ) reports that Chief Minister Michael Gunner could release a roadmap today detailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of May .
The NT hasn ’ t reported a new case for three weeks .
DANDREWS ’ LOCKDOWN HERE TO STAY : Sorry , Victoria , but The Age reports that Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has reiterated that you ’ re in the state of emergency until at least May 11 .
In another bloody bumper weekend for state relief packages : • a $ 395 million stimulus package yesterday for low-cost loans for local governments , council retention schemes , and levy payment • Victoria announced a $ 16.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisations , creatives and micro-organisations with at least five years of professional experience • Queensland announced a $ 54.5 million transport package on Saturday targeting regional air , bus and ferry services , as well as the personalised transport industry ( taxis ) , heavy vehicles and licence and registration fees .
WORKERS , IT WAS NICE WHILE IT LASTED Finally , as Australia braces for business to eventually open back up , The Age reports that Liberal backbenchers Andrew Bragg and Jason Falinski have urged the government to not let its brief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its union-busting bill .
Along the same lines , The Australian ( $ ) reports that Ernst & Young modelling , commissioned by the Business Council of Australia ( BCA ) , found that the economic cost of shutdowns hit $ 200 billion in the first month .
The modelling suggests this will rise to $ 280 billion after three months and , if the lockdown extends for six months , it would reach $ 400 billion .
BCA SURPRISES NO ONE : You will never guess what ’ s in BCA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kickstart the economic recovery ” ( spoiler : it ’ s tax cuts , award “ simplification ” and slashing red tape ) .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The Sky News host and Australian associate editor defends Donald Trump ’ s suggestions that COVID-19 could be treated by ingesting disinfectant and/or light .
This came just hours before Trump attempted to walk the suggestions back as “ sarcasm ” meant to trick journalists .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Peter Dutton mulls re-allowing travel to New Zealand as first post-COVID step Labor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as PM ’ s approval rating soars Psychologist warns Queenslanders to keep grounded and realistic ahead of easing isolation laws ( $ ) ‘ No one dies alone ’ : hospitals look for solutions to connect dying COVID-19 patients with families No timeline given for release of virus investigation findings ( $ ) Here ’ s why we shouldn ’ t give ‘ immunity passports ’ to coronavirus survivors Labor MP Mike Kelly poised to quit in key seat of Eden-Monaro ( $ ) We need to rethink our China relationship , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ Even before this pandemic , Australia ’ s relationship with China was anything but straightforward .
At the end of 2019 , reports of interference by the Chinese Communist Party in our democracy , violent crackdowns in Hong Kong , clashes in the South China Sea , upstream Chinese dams of Mekong tributaries threatening water security in Vietnam and Laos , and leaked documents outlining mass detention of Uighurs coloured the debate about the future direction of the bilateral relationship.
” Malcolm Turnbull didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) — Chris Mitchell ( The Australian ) : “ Did News Corp campaign for the removal of Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister in 2018 ?
And was that campaign motivated by a fear Turnbull could win the 2019 election ?
My answer to the first question is ‘ only some parts of News Corp ’ .
And to the second ?
No one who understood the Coalition ’ s polling in Queensland thought Turnbull could win a second election.
” Trump and the coronavirus have exposed America as a declining empire : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Hehir ( Salon ) : “ What the coronavirus has shown us , if we ’ re willing to see it , is America as an imperial power in steep decline , revealed before the world as a weak , divided and ineffectual nation — albeit one with the greatest military force in world history .
To put it in the mildest possible terms , that ’ s a dangerous combination ; it might better be described as profoundly terrifying .
”

COVIDSAFE HITS 1 MILLION DOWNLOADS
Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced that, within five hours of launching, the new contact tracing app COVIDSafe has been downloaded by 1 million people. The latest Newspoll ($) suggests that a total of 54% of residents are prepared to sign up.
The Health Department released the app, the privacy impact assessment, and their PIA response earlier yesterday. Of course, anyone with a passing familiarity with the anti-encryption laws, robodebt or My Health Record may have a question or two about the app. Hunt has pledged a series of protections:
Only state and territory health agencies will have access to encrypted contact tracing data, which will be stored in Australia on Amazon servers
Anyone who accesses the data illegally faces up to five years in jail, according to a new determination made under the Biosecurity Act
The determination also explicitly prohibits pressuring anyone to download the app
Data stored on the phone will be deleted automatically after 21 days
Data stored at the server will be deleted at the user’s request and/or when the pandemic is over
Authorities will be explicitly barred from accessing data under new legislation to be introduced mid-May.
QUICK QUESTION: As the ABC reports, Hunt promised that “not even a court order” can override protections from authorities, but does that also cover the Assistance and Access Bill 2018? Remember that one? The one that forces tech companies to let cops access encrypted data and not tell anyone about it?
DOCTORS V LAWYERS
A coalition of medical bodies, including the Australian Medical Association, has endorsed the COVIDSafe platform. But an alliance of digital rights groups has outlined a series of requirements for the government to “earn the public’s trust”:
“publish the source code not only of the app, but for the entire system at the government’s end (both state and federal)
“provide for independent oversight and mandatory public reporting of all uses of the data
“by legislation, eliminate the possibility of police and intelligence agencies using their anti-encryption powers, to use the app to access any information on a person’s phone.”
The Law Council of Australia’s President Pauline Wright points to similar concerns, including ambiguities over when the obligation to delete data comes into effect (i.e. when is the pandemic really “over?”)
WA AND QUEENSLAND EASE RESTRICTIONS
Western Australia has announced an easing of restrictions from today; the two-person rule has been lifted, with gatherings of up to 10 people now permitted. This comes as Australia’s curve flattens to a seven-day stretch of below 25 new cases per day — a solid effort considering we averaged well over 300 in the last week of March.
Meanwhile, Queensland will ease stay-at-home restrictions from Saturday and allow residents within 50km of their house with either members of their household or one friend. While still requiring social distancing and hygiene practices, Queensland will also reopen some national parks.
Finally, The NT News ($) reports that Chief Minister Michael Gunner could release a roadmap today detailing a plan to reopen businesses by the end of May. The NT hasn’t reported a new case for three weeks.
DANDREWS’ LOCKDOWN HERE TO STAY: Sorry, Victoria, but The Age reports that Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has reiterated that you’re in the state of emergency until at least May 11.
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STATE WRAP
In another bloody bumper weekend for state relief packages:
NSW announced a $395 million stimulus package yesterday for low-cost loans for local governments, council retention schemes, and levy payment
Victoria announced a $16.8 million creative industries survival package targeting arts organisations, creatives and micro-organisations with at least five years of professional experience
Queensland announced a $54.5 million transport package on Saturday targeting regional air, bus and ferry services, as well as the personalised transport industry (taxis), heavy vehicles and licence and registration fees.
WORKERS, IT WAS NICE WHILE IT LASTED
Finally, as Australia braces for business to eventually open back up, The Age reports that Liberal backbenchers Andrew Bragg and Jason Falinski have urged the government to not let its brief partnership with unions let it lose track of its union-busting bill.
Along the same lines, The Australian ($) reports that Ernst & Young modelling, commissioned by the Business Council of Australia (BCA), found that the economic cost of shutdowns hit $200 billion in the first month. The modelling suggests this will rise to $280 billion after three months and, if the lockdown extends for six months, it would reach $400 billion.
BCA SURPRISES NO ONE: You will never guess what’s in BCA’s “preliminary reform blueprint to kickstart the economic recovery” (spoiler: it’s tax cuts, award “simplification” and slashing red tape).
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
The president was actually reflecting on advice from medical experts who say the virus is very susceptible to heat, light and disinfectant, and he encouraged this continuing medical research on new treatments. Which is all fair enough. Chris Kenny
The Sky News host and Australian associate editor defends Donald Trump’s suggestions that COVID-19 could be treated by ingesting disinfectant and/or light. This came just hours before Trump attempted to walk the suggestions back as “sarcasm” meant to trick journalists.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Peter Dutton mulls re-allowing travel to New Zealand as first post-COVID step
Labor, Coalition neck and neck in latest Newspoll as PM’s approval rating soars
Psychologist warns Queenslanders to keep grounded and realistic ahead of easing isolation laws ($)
‘No one dies alone’: hospitals look for solutions to connect dying COVID-19 patients with families
Yemen’s separatist southern forces announce plans for self-rule, jeopardising Riyadh peace deal
No timeline given for release of virus investigation findings ($)
Here’s why we shouldn’t give ‘immunity passports’ to coronavirus survivors
China consumer backlash looms over Morrison’s coronavirus probe ($)
Family violence perpetrators ‘threaten to expose children to COVID-19’
Labor MP Mike Kelly poised to quit in key seat of Eden-Monaro ($)
THE COMMENTARIAT
We need to rethink our China relationship, but disengagement is no option — Penny Wong (The Sydney Morning Herald): “Even before this pandemic, Australia’s relationship with China was anything but straightforward. At the end of 2019, reports of interference by the Chinese Communist Party in our democracy, violent crackdowns in Hong Kong, clashes in the South China Sea, upstream Chinese dams of Mekong tributaries threatening water security in Vietnam and Laos, and leaked documents outlining mass detention of Uighurs coloured the debate about the future direction of the bilateral relationship.”
Malcolm Turnbull didn’t learn from his mistakes ($) — Chris Mitchell (The Australian): “Did News Corp campaign for the removal of Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister in 2018? And was that campaign motivated by a fear Turnbull could win the 2019 election? My answer to the first question is ‘only some parts of News Corp’. And to the second? No one who understood the Coalition’s polling in Queensland thought Turnbull could win a second election.”
Trump and the coronavirus have exposed America as a declining empire: time to face the facts — Andrew O’Hehir (Salon): “What the coronavirus has shown us, if we’re willing to see it, is America as an imperial power in steep decline, revealed before the world as a weak, divided and ineffectual nation — albeit one with the greatest military force in world history. To put it in the mildest possible terms, that’s a dangerous combination; it might better be described as profoundly terrifying.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-05-01--Attacks on Annaliese van Diemen show the right's failure and desperation

The attack on Dr van Diemen is a new low in destructive character assassination , driven by bitterness at their @ @ @ @ @ right 's absurd , pathetic and self-defeating attack on , and `` calls '' for @ @ @ @ @ deputy chief medical officer Annaliese van Diemen , represents a new low for this political @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Like many I 've been by turns bewildered and amused by the absolutely @ @ @ @ @ Australian ideological right have played this historical moment .
As the country came together to @ @ @ @ @ , with a widespread understanding of why it had to occur , a strong emphasis @ @ @ @ @ a pride in achieving an exceptionally low death rate -- and a lowered risk to @ @ @ @ @ right 's interventions have been a mix of adolescent poseurism , intellectual bad faith , @ @ @ @ @

The ideological right’s absurd, pathetic and self-defeating attack on, and “calls” for the resignation of, Victorian deputy chief medical officer Annaliese van Diemen, represents a new low for this political formation in the period of COVID-19.
Like many I’ve been by turns bewildered and amused by the absolutely tin-eared, cack-handed way the Australian ideological right have played this historical moment.
As the country came together to make the sacrifice of lockdowns, with a widespread understanding of why it had to occur, a strong emphasis on shared burden, and a pride in achieving an exceptionally low death rate — and a lowered risk to health-care workers — the ideological right’s interventions have been a mix of adolescent poseurism, intellectual bad faith, and petulant time wasting.


crikey--2020-04-08--Worm: What will happen for workers?

Worm: What will happen for workers?

Both houses of federal parliament passed the $ 130 billion JobKeeker package last night and Bernie Sanders has dropped out of his presidential campaign .
Last night , both houses of federal parliament passed the $ 130 billion JobSeeker package , although , as the ABC reports , amendments from Labor , the Greens and Centre Alliance — designed to cover casuals with fewer than 12 months employment , including gig workers , arts and entertainment workers , carers and people on the Disability Support Pension , international students and overseas workers — were rejected .
New ABC funding and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected .
However , members of those parties have highlighted that the package empowers government ministers to amend the program and will continue to push for expanded eligibility .
For more on eligibility , tax rates , start dates and more , check out the ABC ’ s explainer .
SENATE OVERSIGHT , OOH YEAH : As SBS reports , the Senate has also established a Labor-led select committee inquiry to examine government responses throughout the crisis .
Which is likely all we can hope for , now that parliament won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has suspended his presidential campaign , the ABC reports .
Sanders , who campaigned on universal healthcare , a ‘ Green New Deal ’ , minimum wage increases and other progressive policies , briefly led the Democratic primary before the party coalesced around Joe Biden in late February — after which most major candidates dropped out to endorse the former vice-president — who has since dominated some truly wild , pandemic-era state primaries .
Both Biden and President Donald Trump have since responded over Twitter , with the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earn ’ votes from Sanders ’ supporters and the latter , characteristically , blaming it all on Elizabeth Warren .
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has announced one-off $ 10,000 cash payments for businesses — with turnovers of more than $ 75,000 and payrolls of less than $ 1.5 million — as part of a $ 650 million Jobs Rescue Package .
The Northern Territory government yesterday announced several new packages : • None A $ 180 million coronavirus business package designed to abolish six months of payroll tax for small and medium-sized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; • None Cut business utility bills for businesses by 50 % and extend that relief to commercial landlords that negotiate in good faith ( • to support the construction industry throughout the pandemic , and • reports , offers teachers a $ 500 school holiday incentive to stay in remote communities during the term one break rather than risk not being able to return under strict border controls .
WHAT OF THE TENANTS ?
According to The Sydney Morning Herald , the NSW government will include land tax deferral or even waivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residential relief package on the condition they pass savings on to tenants .
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has said that , since Tuesday ’ s national cabinet meeting , states have been working on ideas for rent relief .
The NT , for example , is working on legislation to create both longer periods of mandatory negotiation between tenants and landlords and fairer terms for new leases amid demonstrated financial hardship .
EASTER STAYCATION : Ahead of the big Easter weekend , you know what else households can do ?
Stay .
Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a stretch , read a book !
According to The Australian ( $ ) , NSW detectives have executed a night-time raid on the most hated boat in Australia , the Ruby Princess cruise ship , to question staff and search for key documents as part of a continuing criminal investigation .
The news comes after a 62-year-old woman became the 15th passenger to die from COVID-19 , as well as revelations from the Sydney Morning Herald that , despite the ship having then had 140 passengers in isolation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ port authority of NSW employee to allow the ship to dock .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
More than a fortnight into lockdown , the New Zealand prime minister cracks , just slightly , after getting stuck with the exact worst companions for a crisis : journos .
READ ALL ABOUT IT First flight in months from coronavirus-hit Wuhan lands in Sydney carrying masks , gowns and ventilators The Biloela Tamil family say Christmas Island detention staff are ignoring coronavirus protection measures Police hotline swamped with COVID-19 calls as Victorians dob in neighbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia ’ s path out of health crisis Coronavirus : ‘ Guinea pig state ’ will be first to ease restrictions Education Minister Selena Uibo confirms NT students are expected to attend school in Term 2 WHO responds to Trump criticism , warns of ‘ many more body bags ’ Coronavirus : No country is safe until we all are — Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ( The Australian ) : “ So far , the greatest impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been felt in wealthy countries , China , South Korea and Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
But we must not fool ourselves into thinking it won ’ t come , and when it does it will be utterly devastating.
” Pandemic policing needs to be done with the public ’ s trust , not confusion — Darren Palmer ( The Conversation ) : “ The law on what we can and can ’ t do during the coronavirus outbreak is changing on an almost hourly basis .
Some of what is written now might be overtaken by the shifts in the pandemic powers of control.
” Pantomime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package sails through — Malcolm Farr ( The Guardian ) : “ Australia had its second one-day , one-issue sitting of federal parliament for the year on Wednesday , and the sense of a poorly structured pantomime was obvious .
The mini-parliament was sitting because process demanded it , not because members were keen to muscle up on debate , accountability and policy scrutiny .
”

JOBKEEPER PACKAGE PASSES
Last night, both houses of federal parliament passed the $130 billion JobSeeker package, although, as the ABC reports, amendments from Labor, the Greens and Centre Alliance — designed to cover casuals with fewer than 12 months employment, including gig workers, arts and entertainment workers, carers and people on the Disability Support Pension, international students and overseas workers — were rejected. New ABC funding and PPE masks for Indigenous communities were also rejected.
However, members of those parties have highlighted that the package empowers government ministers to amend the program and will continue to push for expanded eligibility. For more on eligibility, tax rates, start dates and more, check out the ABC’s explainer.
SENATE OVERSIGHT, OOH YEAH: As SBS reports, the Senate has also established a Labor-led select committee inquiry to examine government responses throughout the crisis. Which is likely all we can hope for, now that parliament won’t sit until August.
BERNIE DROPS OUT
Democratic socialist and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has suspended his presidential campaign, the ABC reports.
Sanders, who campaigned on universal healthcare, a ‘Green New Deal’, minimum wage increases and other progressive policies, briefly led the Democratic primary before the party coalesced around Joe Biden in late February — after which most major candidates dropped out to endorse the former vice-president — who has since dominated some truly wild, pandemic-era state primaries.
Both Biden and President Donald Trump have since responded over Twitter, with the former acknowledging that he will ‘need to earn’ votes from Sanders’ supporters and the latter, characteristically, blaming it all on Elizabeth Warren.
SA, NT LAUNCH BUSINESS PACKAGES
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has announced one-off $10,000 cash payments for businesses — with turnovers of more than $75,000 and payrolls of less than $1.5 million — as part of a $650 million Jobs Rescue Package.
The Northern Territory government yesterday announced several new packages:
A $180 million coronavirus business package designed to abolish six months of payroll tax for small and medium-sized businesses and defer it for larger businesses;
Cut business utility bills for businesses by 50% and extend that relief to commercial landlords that negotiate in good faith (ABC);
A $10.8 million classroom stimulus program to support the construction industry throughout the pandemic, and
A remote community schools package that, as NT News ($) reports, offers teachers a $500 school holiday incentive to stay in remote communities during the term one break rather than risk not being able to return under strict border controls.
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WHAT OF THE TENANTS?
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the NSW government will include land tax deferral or even waivers for landlords under the state’s residential relief package on the condition they pass savings on to tenants.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has said that, since Tuesday’s national cabinet meeting, states have been working on ideas for rent relief. The NT, for example, is working on legislation to create both longer periods of mandatory negotiation between tenants and landlords and fairer terms for new leases amid demonstrated financial hardship.
EASTER STAYCATION: Ahead of the big Easter weekend, you know what else households can do? Stay. Home. I don’t care if that’s a stretch, read a book!
LATE NIGHT RAID OF THE RUBY PRINCESS
According to The Australian ($), NSW detectives have executed a night-time raid on the most hated boat in Australia, the Ruby Princess cruise ship, to question staff and search for key documents as part of a continuing criminal investigation.
The news comes after a 62-year-old woman became the 15th passenger to die from COVID-19, as well as revelations from the Sydney Morning Herald that, despite the ship having then had 140 passengers in isolation, an Australian Border Force officer told a port authority of NSW employee to allow the ship to dock.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
I miss people… No disrespect to any of you. Jacinda Ardern
More than a fortnight into lockdown, the New Zealand prime minister cracks, just slightly, after getting stuck with the exact worst companions for a crisis: journos.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
First flight in months from coronavirus-hit Wuhan lands in Sydney carrying masks, gowns and ventilators
The Biloela Tamil family say Christmas Island detention staff are ignoring coronavirus protection measures
Stimulus payments arrest spending slump, real-time data shows
Senior NSW minister Don Harwin busted at his holiday house
Australia’s small medical practices on brink of collapse amid coronavirus
Police hotline swamped with COVID-19 calls as Victorians dob in neighbours
Coronavirus data due within weeks to reveal Australia’s path out of health crisis
Coronavirus: ‘Guinea pig state’ will be first to ease restrictions
Education Minister Selena Uibo confirms NT students are expected to attend school in Term 2
SA MP Sam Duluk to face assault charge
WHO responds to Trump criticism, warns of ‘many more body bags’
THE COMMENTARIAT
Coronavirus: No country is safe until we all are — Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (The Australian): “So far, the greatest impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been felt in wealthy countries, China, South Korea and Italy, rather than the poorest parts of the world. But we must not fool ourselves into thinking it won’t come, and when it does it will be utterly devastating.”
Pandemic policing needs to be done with the public’s trust, not confusion — Darren Palmer (The Conversation): “The law on what we can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak is changing on an almost hourly basis. Some of what is written now might be overtaken by the shifts in the pandemic powers of control.”
Pantomime in a mini-parliament – and the jobkeeper package sails through — Malcolm Farr (The Guardian): “Australia had its second one-day, one-issue sitting of federal parliament for the year on Wednesday, and the sense of a poorly structured pantomime was obvious. The mini-parliament was sitting because process demanded it, not because members were keen to muscle up on debate, accountability and policy scrutiny.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-06-24--What jobs survive a recession? Safe industries during a downturn

What jobs survive a recession ?
Here are the industries that are supposedly safe during an economic downturn .
There @ @ @ @ @ that are likely to remain stable and potentially even grow during a recession , based @ @ @ @ @ the Great Recession of 2008 , according to a report from ZipRecruiter , Australia has @ @ @ @ @ defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth — since June 1991 .
Australia @ @ @ @ @ in May .
Unemployment now sits at 7.1 % , up from 6.4 % in @ @ @ @ @ were lost in May — 90,000 full-time positions and nearly 140,000 part-time positions .
According @ @ @ @ @ the following industries and professions are likely to survive a recession : As the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ challenges given much of the work force are being asked to work from home , @ @ @ @ @ other industries that may be seen as ‘ safer ’ than others .
A recent @ @ @ @ @ are still hiring in Australia include :

Winter has come, and a recession is coming. You might not want to be confronted with the thought of an economic downturn, but there are positive ways you can recession-proof your finances and safeguard your financial future.
Here are eight ways to recession-proof your finances:
Pay off your debts Start a rainy day fund Think about the ways you can cut back Talk to your friends and family about money Focus on the future Marie Kondo the non-essentials Invest in yourself Look to the future but enjoy the present
Pay off your debts
Whether you owe your friend a fiver or the bank five grand, planning out small measurable goals to pay off your debt is something you should be prioritising, especially in times of uncertainty. If you pay off your debts now, it increases your chances of getting a loan in the future if needs be. More importantly, it gives you some space to breathe in an unstable job market.
Start a rainy day fund
If you are still working and stable in your job, it’s a great time to recession-proof your finances by setting up a savings account and puting away a sum of money every week. If you are working from home, consider starting with the amount of money you are saving from not commuting, buying lunches out, paying for fuel, and all the other trimmings that go with it.


crikey--2020-06-16--Rio Tinto rethink: it's time for the miner to cut colonial baggage, pay more

Rio Tinto could do worse than relocating its global headquarters to Australia if it wants to repair its rocky image @ @ @ @ @ 10th anniversary of the rolling of Kevin Rudd , it is worth remembering that this @ @ @ @ @ Australia rolled over to the big iron ore miners , delivering billions of value to @ @ @ @ @ , Twiggy Forrest , Clive Palmer , Rio Tinto and BHP .
Rudd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ would have profoundly increased Australia ’ s national wealth but the campaign against it run @ @ @ @ @ , UK-born Tony Abbott and the largely foreign-controlled mining industry contributed to Labor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ minister .
Julia Gillard then negotiated a compromise arrangement with the miners which produced little @ @ @ @ @ government abolished this new mining tax altogether .

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the rolling of Kevin Rudd, it is worth remembering that this was also the moment when Australia rolled over to the big iron ore miners, delivering billions of value to the likes of Gina Rinehart, Twiggy Forrest, Clive Palmer, Rio Tinto and BHP.
Rudd’s proposed Resources Super Profits Tax would have profoundly increased Australia’s national wealth but the campaign against it run by New York-based News Corp, UK-born Tony Abbott and the largely foreign-controlled mining industry contributed to Labor’s decision to knife the prime minister.
Julia Gillard then negotiated a compromise arrangement with the miners which produced little revenue and then the Abbott government abolished this new mining tax altogether.


crikey--2020-05-28--Hope comes in the form of a local terrier

It 's a dark time for regional media .
But one small publisher has hope .
If the arrival of @ @ @ @ @ staggering and dazed , it will be the fallout from COVID-19 that could finally kill @ @ @ @ @ already been a long , slow death by a thousand cuts .
And yet there @ @ @ @ @ media voice in our country towns and I am proof of that hope .
I @ @ @ @ @ of Warrnambool , in south-west Victoria , and started what has since morphed into The @ @ @ @ @ , extremely nimble , one-person operation that I run from the front room of my @ @

If the arrival of the internet left regional newspapers staggering and dazed, it will be the fallout from COVID-19 that could finally kill them — after what has already been a long, slow death by a thousand cuts.
And yet there is hope for maintaining a media voice in our
country towns and I am proof of that hope.
I returned to my home town of Warrnambool, in south-west
Victoria, and started what has since morphed into The Terrier, a wholly
online, extremely nimble, one-person operation that I run from the front room
of my house.


crikey--2020-05-28--Casualisation is not just a union-business debate, it may be key to growth

Even if overall levels of casualisation remain unchanged , addressing job insecurity might deliver a win for workers , employers @ @ @ @ @ Despite the media love-in for Scott Morrison 's industrial relations reform `` process '' , @ @ @ @ @ have emerged that make it clearer this is n't the peace in our time that @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the week .
First , the government reserves the right to ignore any @ @ @ @ @ , from its IR workshops and try to legislate unilaterally , with Attorney-General Christian Porter @ @ @ @ @ go ahead without any agreement from its industry-union working groups .

Despite the media love-in for Scott Morrison’s industrial relations reform “process”, some parameters and hard points have emerged that make it clearer this isn’t the peace in our time that some excitable journalists were suggesting earlier in the week.
First, the government reserves the right to ignore any outcomes, or lack thereof, from its IR workshops and try to legislate unilaterally, with Attorney-General Christian Porter flagging that the government will go ahead without any agreement from its industry-union working groups.
A Hawkeian consensus it ain’t.