crikey--2020-06-21--When will cinemas open in Australia? Your state-by-state update

When will cinemas open again ?
Here ’ s the latest on when you will likely be able to go to the movies , as well as what a night at the cinema will now look like .
When will cinemas open in Australia ?
Cinemas will be allowed to re-open across Australia during stage two of the three-stage coronavirus roadmap to recovery , as laid out by Prime Minister Scott Morrison .
During stage two , cinemas will be allowed to open their doors to 20 patrons , as long as they follow social distancing rules ( i.e .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 1.5 metres from one another ) .
The exact date for cinemas opening across Australia will depend on when each state and territory enters stage two of the coronavirus recovery plan .
Here ’ s what we know .
Cinemas in New South Wales are expected to reopen on July 1 .
Cinemas are expected to open on June 22 .
Despite the re-tightening of restrictions in Victoria over the weekend , some cinemas will still be opening to 20 patrons at a time , others will be waiting until July 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Victoria becomes clearer .
Cinemas in Queensland were allowed to reopen on June 12 , when the state entered stage two of the recovery plan .
During this stage , groups of 20 people will be allowed to meet each other in public .
It is also expected that gyms , swimming pools , museums , libraries and camping areas will re-open during this stage .
Cinemas in Western Australia were allowed to reopen on June 6 , during stage three of the recovery roadmap .
This date has not yet been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place four weeks from the commencement date of stage three , according to the Western Australian government .
During stage three , public playgrounds , outdoor gym equipment , skate parks , zoos , galleries , museums and concert venues are permitted to open , with gathering limits .
Cinemas in Tasmania were allowed to reopen on June 15 , during stage two of the Tasmanian roadmap to recovery .
This date is subject to public health advice .
If stage two goes ahead as planned , 20 patrons at a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tasmania , as well as restaurants andcafes , museums , galleries , theatres , performance venues , historic sites , religious gatherings and weddings .
Cinemas in South Australia were allowed to reopen on June 8 , during stage two of the South Australian roadmap to recovery .
If stage two goes ahead as planned , 20 patrons at a time will also be allowed to visit restaurants , cafes , and beauty , nail , massage and tattoo parlours , following the one-person-per-four-square-metre rule .
Cinemas in Northern Territory were allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three of the region ’ s recovery roadmap .
During stage three , an unspecified number of patrons will be allowed to attend theatres , concert halls , music halls , dance halls , nightclubs or any other similar entertainment venue in approved configuration , according to the Northern Territory government .
There is no specified date for when cinemas in the Australian Capital Territory will re-open , but it is expected that cinemas will not reopen in ACT until July .
In an ACT government statement , Chief Health Officer , Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have eased , our responsibilities have not .
Be mindful when you leave the house and continue to maintain physical distance and good hand hygiene .
We need to behave as though we have COVID-19 and everyone around us has COVID-19.
” This article will be regularly updated to keep you updated about when cinemas are open in your area .
Read : When will gyms open in Australia ?

When will cinemas open in Australia? Cinemas will be allowed to re-open across Australia during stage two of the three-stage coronavirus roadmap to recovery, as laid out by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
During stage two, cinemas will be allowed to open their doors to 20 patrons, as long as they follow social distancing rules (i.e. cinema-goers will need to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from one another). The exact date for cinemas opening across Australia will depend on when each state and territory enters stage two of the coronavirus recovery plan.
Here’s what we know.


crikey--2020-06-21--Forced testing and underwear removal in WA schools? Here are the facts.

Despite a popular post on social media stating otherwise , there is no legislation known as the COVID-19 emergency powers act in WA .
A post shared widely on social media claims that Western Australia has passed a “ COVID-19 Emergency Powers Act ” that authorises officers to forcibly test and vaccinate children at school .
The claim was made on Twitter on May 17 , 2020 by user @ talialikeitis , a promoter of alternative health views .
It states : “ Western Australia — They just passed a Covid 19 Emergency Powers Act That will authorize officers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this includes removing their underwear.
” The tweet includes a screenshot of Western Australia ’ s declaration of a public health state of emergency and two screenshots that are untitled but mirror the wording of the WA Public Health Act .
There is also a link to the Public Health Act under the original tweet .
The tweet was then shared in the Facebook group 99 % unite Main Group “ it ’ s us or them ” which is popular with anti-vaccination supporters and had more than 60,000 members at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 emergency powers act exist in Western Australia and does it authorise the forcible testing and vaccination of children , including removing their underwear ?
This claim is not the full story .
There is no legislation known as the COVID-19 emergency powers act in WA .
The Public Health Act 2016 , however , does set out powers that allow an authorised emergency officer to direct a person , including a child , to be tested and vaccinated under a public health state of emergency .
The act also gives emergency officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure that the direction is complied with ” including the removal of underwear if necessary .
In WA , a public health state of emergency was declared in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
While the legislation gives emergency officers considerable powers , it also provides safeguards , including that the powers can only be used on the authorisation of the chief health officer .
The legislation states that the removal of clothing must be done “ with decency and sensitivity ” .
Furthermore , the removal of any child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presence of a parent or guardian who can represent and support their interests .
WA ’ s Chief Health Officer , Andrew Robertson , said that the powers invoked by the declaration of a public health state of emergency had been used to require COVID-19 testing , but no force had been used to ensure compliance .
David Cox , the chairman of the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia , said that the Public Health Act 2016 is “ unquestionably a very powerful act , but it is designed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
He said the claim failed to mention safeguards and therefore provided a misleading picture .
The WA list of 2020 legislation identifies COVID-19 specific acts , but there is no “ COVID-19 Emergency Powers Act ” as mentioned in the tweet .
However , the emergency powers mentioned in the tweet are contained in sections 184 and 185 of the Public Health Act 2016 .
The current version of the act commenced on July 22 , 2019 , so it has not been amended during the COVID-19 crisis .
These powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of emergency , as was declared in Western Australia on March 23 2020 , in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Under the current Public Health State of Emergency Declaration , all of the emergency powers under the Public Health Act 2016 are available to emergency officers , including powers under sections 184 and 185 .
The state of emergency was in force on the day the tweet was posted on Twitter .
Michael Eburn from ANU College of Law said , “ in practical terms , only an employee of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or engaged in a health service provider can be classified as an emergency officer for the purposes of sections 184 and 185 ” .
He said police officers could assist an emergency officer in the execution of their duties .
Can a person be directed to be tested and vaccinated ?
Section 184 , which refers to quarantine and medical procedures , states that an emergency officer may direct a person “ to undergo medical observation , medical examination or medical treatment or to be vaccinated ” .
WA ’ s Chief Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ These powers may be used to compel a person to undergo a medical examination , including a test for COVID-19 , or to be vaccinated if there was a vaccine available.
” He said that directions under section 184 had been issued to require people to undergo testing for COVID-19 .
Laura Tomlinson , a spokeswoman for the Western Australia Department of Health said : “ There is no vaccine or immunisation programme for COVID available in WA schools or anywhere else.
” Eburn said during a public health emergency the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer to direct any person , including anti-vaxxers , to be vaccinated .
Can a person have their clothing forcibly removed ?
The claim included a screenshot of legislation that said officers may use reasonable force to remove a person ’ s clothing if it is necessary for them to be medically examined , treated or vaccinated .
Section 185 provides the power for an emergency officer or police officer to use “ reasonable force ” to ensure a direction under section 184 is complied with .
This includes removing a person ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enable the medical examination , treatment or vaccination to be carried out .
Robertson , however , pointed out : “ As COVID-19 testing involves the use of nasal/throat swabs , only clothing covering the nose or mouth would prevent testing being carried out.
” He said that section 185 had not been used .
The Law Reform Commission ’ s Dr Cox said children could be forcibly tested and vaccinated at school , but it was unlikely .
“ Theoretically they could , but it ’ s not going to happen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasonableness that underpins the act would make medical testing impractical in a school , he said , adding that , in Western Australia , COVID-19 testing is conducted at hospitals and health clinics .
Are there safeguards in the legislation ?
Cox said : “ While the act grants wide-ranging powers , those powers would need to be exercised reasonably and only to the extent necessary.
” “ The claim is misleading , in the sense that it fails to address the safeguards that would always be applicable in any event .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be necessary to remove the underwear of a person but that said , the act is drafted broadly and perhaps such a circumstance exists where it would be necessary for that to be done , ” he said .
Marco Rizzi , senior lecturer at the UWA Law School said , reasonableness underpins section 185 to make sure the powers can not be exercised arbitrarily .
“ While it ’ s possible for an emergency officer to require the removal of clothing , there are guarantees built into section 185 to ensure it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Removal of any clothing must be done “ with regard to the gender of the relevant person , minimising intrusiveness and , where the relevant person is a child , in the presence of a responsible person who can provide the child with support and represent their interests ” , he said .
Do these powers conflict with any existing laws ?
Under a state of emergency , the government is able to respond rapidly to a public emergency .
In order to resolve the crisis , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can only be used in exceptional circumstances .
Under the public health state of emergency that has been in place since March , emergency powers are limited to the sections listed in this document that refer to the Public Health Act 2016 .
Eburn said there are a number of laws that are in conflict with these emergency powers .
One of them is the law that medical treatment requires the patient ’ s consent .
“ Clearly the emergency powers under the Public Health Act override all those conflicting laws , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers under Public Health State of Emergency

The claim
A post shared widely on social media claims that Western Australia has passed a “COVID-19 Emergency Powers Act” that authorises officers to forcibly test and vaccinate children at school.
The claim was made on Twitter on May 17, 2020 by user @talialikeitis, a promoter of alternative health views.
It states: “Western Australia — They just passed a Covid 19 Emergency Powers Act That will authorize officers to test & vaccinate children at school — this includes removing their underwear.”


crikey--2020-04-26--Inaction is not yet an action. The fight isn't over yet — for us or the government

There 's a growing sense of complacency as our curve continues to flatten .
But Australia is not without some major problems ...
When I popped to the shop to get bread on Sunday morning , it was impossible to not notice the crowds .
It could be that the impossibly glorious Sydney weather is just too much to resist .
More likely it ’ s a sign that lockdown camaraderie is seriously on the wane .
With a total of 6713 infections , 83 deaths and single-digit daily increases , it ’ s hardly surprising that the Australian public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is shifting back to where it was in February before the numbers spiked .
It ’ s also a harbinger of the big battles that are brewing and those yet to be recognised .
The fight over schools reopening is becoming fraught ; it combines a bunch of eternal flashpoints with parents ’ inchoate fear for their children .
As JobKeeper becomes real , the flaws in its design are exposed .
Apart from leaving over 1 million vulnerable workers out of its protection , it has several built-in perverse disincentives for businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage subsidy would have avoided all that , but it was too much of an ideological leap for the Morrison government .
As a result , while it will help a lot , it will be arbitrarily unfair .
The early shots in the big war are also being fired .
For all the noise , essentially these boil down to variations on a relatively simple question : do we use this unique opportunity , when an externally imposed crisis has thrown all of our operating assumptions out the window , to reimagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and society in a better way ?
Or do we rush to not just restore the pre-existing balance of power , but also entrench it further by making new laws that compound inequality ?
Whether you like my framing of the second alternative depends on whether you believe that inequality already exists for structural reasons , as opposed to it being a reflection of personal worth ( see : the prosperity doctrine , much beloved by the Prime Minister ) .
This dichotomy will play out in numerous fields : tax reform , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights , planning laws , deregulation and competition policy .
Big business is pushing hard already for the balance to be returned to its favour , and pressing for the tax cuts it has been denied so far .
The Morrison government is giving off all the right signals to its supporters : that it will follow through on its undertaking to unwind all of this COVID expediency as fast as possible and get back to its agenda of delivering small government .
In that context , the debt it ’ s racking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked in the same attic as Tony Abbott ’ s ghost — not to be mentioned , ever .
That battle will not be easily won , however .
While the Liberal Party can continue to pretend to itself that there are two types of unemployed people — those who have lost their jobs recently “ through no fault of their own ” , and those who were already unemployed and therefore unworthy — too much of the population has been newly exposed to the harshness of our social security system now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump agreed on how our “ market-led ” economies are going to bounce back , but nobody will have missed the point that it wasn ’ t the market that led Australia to the landing place of potential safety where we now sit .
It was a whole of government and country response that had all the features ( except the title ) of socialism .
That ’ s ahead of us .
Right now , there are big gaps in the response we ’ ve made .
As we start to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a walk and a takeaway coffee , these gaps will become chasms .
The Virgin Australia collapse represents the problem in miniature ; the government is caught between its ideological resistance to bailing out companies , and the unpleasant realities of 16,000 jobs being lost and a return to a Qantas monopoly once more .
A more interesting and global example is that of tenancy .
For both residential and commercial tenancies , the government has so far shied away from meaningful intervention .
The state governments are legislating eviction moratoriums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government ’ s stance has been this : everyone please just get along .
Negotiate in good faith , share the pain , and let ’ s hope this ends soon .
In the real world , that is happening sometimes , and many times not .
It ’ s not difficult to see the problem : tenant loses their income and can ’ t maintain their rental payments .
Landlord needs the rental income to pay their mortgage .
Yes , there are many landlords who can afford the carry ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than capital .
That doesn ’ t solve the problem though .
A major shopping centre owner recently wrote to all its retail tenants telling them to keep their shops open , because the law says they can , or else they ’ ll breach their leases .
That is harsh , but then so are the consequences of owning a shopping centre that is empty and returning no rent .
It ’ s not a sufficient answer to say , as the government is , that landlords should skip along to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The banks aren ’ t behaving badly ( another hidden blessing from the royal commission the government didn ’ t want ) but the best they can do is offer deferral of mortgage repayments .
That ’ s just banking the problem for later .
There is no viable solution to the paralysing of the tenancy market apart from direct government intervention to bankroll it .
If the government don ’ t intervene , the extended recession it ’ s trying to avoid will be a lot more probable .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit of steam in our push to keep COVID-19 from the door .
It ’ s equally predictable that the government has lost some of its courage as the immediacy of the threat falls away .
But the job , on either front , isn ’ t done yet , and it ’ s way too early to fall back to the dismal inaction of the time before all this began .

When I popped to the shop to get bread on Sunday morning, it was impossible to not notice the crowds. It could be that the impossibly glorious Sydney weather is just too much to resist. More likely it’s a sign that lockdown camaraderie is seriously on the wane.
With a total of 6713 infections, 83 deaths and single-digit daily increases, it’s hardly surprising that the Australian public’s sense of the COVID-19 threat is shifting back to where it was in February before the numbers spiked.
It’s also a harbinger of the big battles that are brewing and those yet to be recognised.


crikey--2020-02-03--Worm: Barnaby gets back on the horse

Worm: Barnaby gets back on the horse

Good morning , early birds .
Both the Nationals and The Greens will vote in new leaders this morning , with old mate Barnaby Joyce and Melbournian Adam Bandt drumming up significant support within their respective party rooms .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
NATS PUT THEIR HATS IN THE RING Barnaby Joyce will challenge Michael McCormack for Nationals leadership at a party room spill this morning , while Drought Minister David Littleproud and Queensland MP Keith Pitt set their sights on deputy leadership .
As The Guardian details , Matt Canavan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to back the former leader .
Multiple regional women ’ s groups have hit out at the possibility of Joyce retaking the leadership — which , given his long road to resigning in 2018 included allegations of sexual harassment and manufacturing a government role for Vikki Campion , is not that surprising .
The ten-member Greens party room will also choose a new leader this morning , with Melbourne MP Adam Bandt the only MP so far to have put their hand up to succeed Richard Di Natale .
Queensland Senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for deputy leader , and Bandt has secured the support of Tasmania ’ s Nick McKim , The Sydney Morning Herald reports .
Twitter ’ s hot pick , Mehreen Faruqi , however , has expressed interest in a “ leadership position ” and change to co-leaders .
Fun fact : The Greens were only a few months out from a plebiscite intended to reform their insane election process .
Australian residents will join 70 New Zealanders on an Air New Zealand flight today , The Sydney Morning Herald reports , as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either quarantined on a military base outside Auckland or joining the first batch of evacuees on Christmas Island .
If it ’ s the former , here ’ s hoping New Zealand ’ s immigration system is nicer to our citizens than ours has been to theirs .
Or , for that matter , is being to some Chinese students , who , as The Australian ( $ ) reports , escaped a now country-wide ban only to face instant detention and visa cancellation on their arrival in Australia on Sunday .
THEY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change at the first Q & A of the year , the former general and freshly-elected Liberal admits to the truth behind “ scepticism ” .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Firefighters get some reprieve after blazes ease in Snowy region Shark nets QLD : Drumlines and nets to be redeployed in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park ( $ ) State government to push through new coronavirus emergency laws Investigation launched into near-death experience of eight firefighters stranded in Nowra inferno Liberals turn on Malcolm Turnbull for airing dirty laundry with release of texts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be resilient , but we need ideas ( $ ) — Adam Creighton ( The Australian ) : “ After the Reserve Bank cut the cash rate to a then record low of 1 per cent in July last year to bolster flagging growth , Josh Frydenberg declared the economy ‘ remarkably resilient ’ .
Resilience never scored a mention in the 12 interviews the previous month .
Since July , though , if there ’ s one thing you need to know about the economy it is how resilient it is.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ ) — Karen Maley ( Australian Financial Review ) : “ For many bankers , the daunting , brutal , often capricious nature of the Hayne royal commission was clearly demonstrated by the different treatment meted out to those who previously held the top positions at the National Australia Bank and Westpac.
” The End Of The World As We Know It — Tim Hollo ( Meanjin ) : “ As I sat down to write this—struggling with how to get on with normal life while , just down the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my favourite places and smoke turns the morning light a ghastly orange—two kookaburras suddenly started laughing in the tall eucalypts behind my home.
” • The Peoples Climate Assembly will hold a series of events as both chambers of parliament sit for the first time this year .
• Wang Xining , Minister and Deputy Head of Mission of the Chinese Embassy in Australia , will hold a public briefing on the coronavirus outbreak .
• The Guardian will host its 2020s Vision discussion with the theme “ ideas to make Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viner , Australian editor Lenore Taylor , political editor Katharine Murphy , Indigenous affairs editor Lorena Allam and writer David Marr .
• The University of NSW will hold the Gandhi Lecture 2020 , “ The Fight for Human Rights ” , to feature speeches from Indigenous health advocate and Alyawarre woman Pat Anderson , former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty , and human rights lawyer Anna Brown , among others .
• NSW Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello will help launch Intermedium ’ s 2020 Digital Government Readiness Report .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights : Stories and Discussion ’ at 107 Projects , featuring a collection of journalists , caseworkers and experts from refugee backgrounds .
• Climate activist group Extinction Rebellion will protest the opening of Queensland parliament .
• Local author Jed Herne will launch his latest fantasy book , Across the Broken Stars , at South Perth Library , while University of Western Australia lecturer Nadia Rhook will launch her debut poetry collection , boots , at UWA Publishing ’ s Love House .
• The Royal Commission into Violence , Abuse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will begin community forums in Ipswich and Logan .
• The Productivity Commission will release an annual report into child care , education and training .
• Iowa will become the first state to vote on candidates for the presidential election , with results expected by 9am AEDT .

NATS PUT THEIR HATS IN THE RING
Barnaby Joyce will challenge Michael McCormack for Nationals leadership at a party room spill this morning, while Drought Minister David Littleproud and Queensland MP Keith Pitt set their sights on deputy leadership.
As The Guardian details, Matt Canavan has already stepped down as resources minister in order to back the former leader.
Multiple regional women’s groups have hit out at the possibility of Joyce retaking the leadership — which, given his long road to resigning in 2018 included allegations of sexual harassment and manufacturing a government role for Vikki Campion, is not that surprising.
BANDT THE FRONTRUNNER
The ten-member Greens party room will also choose a new leader this morning, with Melbourne MP Adam Bandt the only MP so far to have put their hand up to succeed Richard Di Natale.
Queensland Senator Larissa Waters has declared she will re-nominate for deputy leader, and Bandt has secured the support of Tasmania’s Nick McKim, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Twitter’s hot pick, Mehreen Faruqi, however, has expressed interest in a “leadership position” and change to co-leaders.
Fun fact: The Greens were only a few months out from a plebiscite intended to reform their insane election process.
IRONIC JUSTICE FORTHCOMING
Australian residents will join 70 New Zealanders on an Air New Zealand flight today, The Sydney Morning Herald reports, as part of an agreement that will see them either quarantined on a military base outside Auckland or joining the first batch of evacuees on Christmas Island.
If it’s the former, here’s hoping New Zealand’s immigration system is nicer to our citizens than ours has been to theirs.
Or, for that matter, is being to some Chinese students, who, as The Australian ($) reports, escaped a now country-wide ban only to face instant detention and visa cancellation on their arrival in Australia on Sunday.
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THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
I’m not relying on evidence. Jim Molan
Pressed on climate change at the first Q&A of the year, the former general and freshly-elected Liberal admits to the truth behind “scepticism”.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Firefighters get some reprieve after blazes ease in Snowy region
Dinner by Heston restaurant owes workers $4.5m after wage theft
News Corp’s fire fight
Shark nets QLD: Drumlines and nets to be redeployed in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park ($)
State government to push through new coronavirus emergency laws
CITB lavish $47k dinner on taxpayers’ tab, leaked audit shows ($)
Investigation launched into near-death experience of eight firefighters stranded in Nowra inferno
Jackie Trad requests $1b from NAIF for QLD renewable energy investment ($)
$4.3 billion cost blowout in Sydney’s metro rail project
Liberals turn on Malcolm Turnbull for airing dirty laundry with release of texts ($)
Adani gave $200,000 to Coalition weeks after securing approvals
THE COMMENTARIAT
The economy may well be resilient, but we need ideas ($) — Adam Creighton (The Australian): “After the Reserve Bank cut the cash rate to a then record low of 1 per cent in July last year to bolster flagging growth, Josh Frydenberg declared the economy ‘remarkably resilient’. Resilience never scored a mention in the 12 interviews the previous month. Since July, though, if there’s one thing you need to know about the economy it is how resilient it is.”
What we learnt from the Hayne inquiry ($) — Karen Maley (Australian Financial Review): “For many bankers, the daunting, brutal, often capricious nature of the Hayne royal commission was clearly demonstrated by the different treatment meted out to those who previously held the top positions at the National Australia Bank and Westpac.”
The End Of The World As We Know It — Tim Hollo (Meanjin): “As I sat down to write this—struggling with how to get on with normal life while, just down the road, a massive fire burns in one of my favourite places and smoke turns the morning light a ghastly orange—two kookaburras suddenly started laughing in the tall eucalypts behind my home.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The Peoples Climate Assembly will hold a series of events as both chambers of parliament sit for the first time this year.
Wang Xining, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission of the Chinese Embassy in Australia, will hold a public briefing on the coronavirus outbreak.
Sydney
The Guardian will host its 2020s Vision discussion with the theme “ideas to make Australia better”. Panelists include editor-in-chief Katharine Viner , Australian editor Lenore Taylor , political editor Katharine Murphy , Indigenous affairs editor Lorena Allam and writer David Marr.
The University of NSW will hold the Gandhi Lecture 2020, “The Fight for Human Rights”, to feature speeches from Indigenous health advocate and Alyawarre woman Pat Anderson , former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty , and human rights lawyer Anna Brown , among others.
NSW Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello will help launch Intermedium’s 2020 Digital Government Readiness Report.
Amnesty International will host ‘Refugee Rights: Stories and Discussion’ at 107 Projects, featuring a collection of journalists, caseworkers and experts from refugee backgrounds.
Brisbane
Climate activist group Extinction Rebellion will protest the opening of Queensland parliament.
Perth
Local author Jed Herne will launch his latest fantasy book, Across the Broken Stars, at South Perth Library, while University of Western Australia lecturer Nadia Rhook will launch her debut poetry collection, boots, at UWA Publishing’s Love House.
Queensland
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability will begin community forums in Ipswich and Logan.
Australia
The Productivity Commission will release an annual report into child care, education and training.
Iowa, USA


Trump is the virus

The world is now facing a major economic crisis without any coherent leadership in the world 's largest economy .
The dangers inherent in the Trump presidency may be about to be unleashed .
The seriousness of the economic crisis now facing the international economy was neatly demonstrated by the Australian Stock Exchange yesterday .
Scott Morrison announced his government ’ s substantial stimulus package at 10.30am , and what had been a falling market stabilised .
Here was some economic leadership at last from a government that has point blank refused to lead at all since Morrison became prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening address to Americans at 12 noon Australian time , and a market that had begun to recover fell off a cliff , losing 400 points over the next hour , ending the day down 7.4 % .
Overnight , it fell another 384 points on the futures market .
Trump ’ s European travel ban — allegedly on the basis that Europe had been “ seeding ” infection clusters in the United States — was bad enough .
The fact that Trump so badly botched his description of it that he appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be blocked as well , made it even worse , until the sexual-predator-in-chief corrected himself in a tweet .
But it was the lack of any substantial stimulus package that signaled the US and global economies are facing deep trouble .
Australia has embraced stimulus .
The Johnson government in the UK has embraced stimulus — it ’ s promised £12 billion for coronavirus-related stimulus on top of the £18 billion it was going to pump in anyway .
The European Central Bank , which since 2016 has had an interest rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €120 billion in bonds .
Markets are expecting a stimulus package in China running into the hundreds of billions of dollars .
But in the US ?
Trump announced a US $ 50 billion loan program for small business , subject to congressional approval , and will instruct Treasury to defer $ 200 billion worth of tax payments .
But that was it .
Trump wants payroll tax relief — that rare thing , a good Trump idea — but needs Congress to back that .
Both Democrats and Republicans are making similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but getting them to agree to a major package will be like herding cats .
The Democrats have prepared a package of measures but we ’ re yet to see if the GOP will back it and Trump will sign it .
That leaves the Federal Reserve as the only confirmed source of major stimulus in the world ’ s biggest economy .
After cutting rates by 0.5 points last week , the Fed stepped in again early this morning with US $ 1.5 trillion in short term funding to stop money markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late 2008 and the credit crunch that pushed the globe into the depths of the global financial crisis .
We ’ ll find out tonight if that ’ s going to do anything to stabilise markets , after Wall Street went into a tailspin overnight and fell 10 % , its worst day since the 1987 crash .
European markets lost even more , with the FTSE down nearly 11 % .
No one has much confidence that the Trump administration has what it takes to deal with the crisis .
Dubya had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be invaluable in dealing with the financial dimensions of banking crisis in 2008 ; Trump has Steve Mnuchin , who , like the rest of the administration , only looks good because of how embarrassing his boss is .
At a time when clear communication is crucial to calming both public health fears and investors ’ financial terror , Trump can ’ t even read an autocue without accidentally announcing a trade blockade of Europe .
In the real world , Americans were facing up to the suspension of the $ 8 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League , the cancellation of the biggest competition in the US , the “ March Madness ” basketball tournaments between American colleges and universities , the closure of Disneyland , a delay of at least two weeks in the start of the baseball season and the cancellation of spring training baseball matches , the shutdown of Broadway and the country ’ s favourite actor announcing he has the virus .
No iconic recreation may prove immune .
States are shuttering schools for two weeks and declaring states of emergency .
Each of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feed into a hitherto buoyant economy , pumped up by Trump ’ s colossal deficit spending .
The other real economic impact to watch is companies will high levels of debt , the product of a decade of low interest rates and a world awash with money looking for opportunities to invest .
As the Financial Times pointed out , this time around ratings agencies are proactively calling out risks , rather than conspiring with companies and banks to hide it , and not just for the obvious candidates like travel and entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are turning off credit , especially for smaller companies , which will push many of them to the wall .
For three years US companies have ignored Donald Trump ’ s incompetence , incoherence and maliciousness , and enjoyed his reckless deficit spending via lower company taxes .
Now the bill may be about to fall due .
A disaster is at hand , and the last man on earth you ’ d want in charge is in the White House .

The seriousness of the economic crisis now facing the international economy was neatly demonstrated by the Australian Stock Exchange yesterday.
Scott Morrison announced his government’s substantial stimulus package at 10.30am, and what had been a falling market stabilised. Here was some economic leadership at last from a government that has point blank refused to lead at all since Morrison became prime minister.
Then Donald Trump commenced his evening address to Americans at 12 noon Australian time, and a market that had begun to recover fell off a cliff, losing 400 points over the next hour, ending the day down 7.4%. Overnight, it fell another 384 points on the futures market.


crikey--2020-04-15--Plus ça change: division and tribalism may not alter as much as we're telling ourselves

For all the claims that the world has changed , the same patterns of tribalism , self-interest and abuse of @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
For all the profound -- and welcome -- changes on the part of @ @ @ @ @ crisis , it might be wise to resist the temptation to declare that the world @ @ @ @ @ overall response of the federal government -- Home Affairs ’ tragic Ruby Princess blunder aside @ @ @ @ @ large very effective , and embraced exactly the kind of big-spending fiscal intervention that it @ @ @ @ @ .
Council of Australian Governments ( COAG ) has gone from a pointless talkfest to @ @ @ @ @ .
Labor ( unlike the Coalition in 2009 ) has refused to block legislation for @ @ @ @ @ generally accepted the rationale of shutting down the economy so that lives -- mainly those @ @ @ @ @ saved .

For all the profound — and welcome — changes on the part of government in responding to the crisis, it might be wise to resist the temptation to declare that the world has changed forever.
The overall response of the federal government — Home Affairs’ tragic Ruby Princess blunder aside — has been by and large very effective, and embraced exactly the kind of big-spending fiscal intervention that it had long attacked Labor for.
Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has gone from a pointless talkfest to an effective crisis management mechanism. Labor (unlike the Coalition in 2009) has refused to block legislation for stimulus packages. Australians have generally accepted the rationale of shutting down the economy so that lives — mainly those of older Australians — are saved.


crikey--2020-04-16--Worm: The beginning of the end or an end to the beginning?

Current lockdown measures will remain in place for at least four more weeks and the federal government will pledge $ 165 million to underwrite domestic Virgin Australia and Qantas flights .
After guaranteeing that current measures will remain in place for at least four more weeks , the ABC reports that Scott Morrison has outlined three requirements Australia would need to fulfil before the country begins relaxing existing rules : • Confidence in the healthcare system ’ s capacity to contain outbreaks According to The Sydney Morning Herald ( $ ) , fresh modelling from the Peter Doherty Institute for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are keeping the pandemic at a low level , to the point that the virus could be eliminated from mainland Australia in a matter of months .
NOT THE END , NOT THE BEGINNING OF THE END : As optimistic as that sounds , consider a new Science report suggesting that resurgent global waves of the virus , “ could occur as late as 2025 even after a prolonged period of apparent elimination ” and — in the absence of new treatments or a vaccine — “ surveillance and intermittent distancing ( or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) may need to be maintained into 2022.
” Last night , the ABC reported that the federal government will pledge $ 165 million to underwrite domestic Virgin Australia and Qantas flights to capital cities and around a dozen regional centres , over the next eight weeks .
After suspending domestic flights last week , Virgin Australia will today begin operating 64 return services from Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , Canberra , Adelaide and Perth .
This follows existing support for both airlines to maintain international routes to Los Angeles , London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THIS : The announcement comes after Greens leader Adam Bandt called for the government to bring Virgin into public ownership rather than let it fall into administration .
The Courier-Mail reports over $ 2 billion in forward flight bookings and billions more in velocity points , there ’ s basically no capacity from the private sector .
The Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt yesterday announced $ 3.3 million to establish a rapid Remote Point of Care Testing Program for remote and rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities .
There will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indigenous communities using the 45-minute Xpert SARS-CoV-2 test , which , as SBS explores in more depth , should come as a relief for communities in areas such as the Kimberley where results can currently take up to 10 days .
According to ZDNet , parliamentary discussions have accelerated this week over an Australian version of the TraceTogether app .
Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert announced yesterday that , while a local version is still some weeks away from going live , it is in the final stages of a privacy impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance ” from the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Australian Signals Directorate .
HOW MANY DIFFERENT WORDS THERE SET OFF RED FLAGS ?
While Robert also went to pains to explain how the app ’ s combination of Bluetooth and encrypted systems could protect privacy , computing experts at Macquarie University and the University of Melbourne last week explained how the original app provides too much power and too little oversight to the “ centralised authority ” managing user ’ s data .
• NSW is set to relax restrictions on gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tape throughout the pandemic ( The Sydney Morning Herald ( $ ) ) ; • The NT government will double its “ Home Improvement Scheme ” stimulus package to more than $ 60 million , after receiving more than 10,000 applications in under a month ( NT News ) ; and • The Queensland Government has promised to continue consultation on proposed rental protections after the Real Estate Institute of Queensland delivered thousands of angry letters to the Premier ’ s office within a 24-hour campaign .
( The Courier-Mail ) THEY REALLY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wondering why people are literally protesting against life-saving stay-at-home measures in America , check out Donald Trump ’ s counsellor on Fox News .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Loss of international students set to blow $ 30b- $ 60b hole in economy Victoria brushes aside PM ’ s calls to send children back to school for term two Thousands sign up for a last-minute bid to get $ 6000 home battery deal Will the pandemic stall action on climate change ?
Almost 400 starving Rohingya refugees rescued off Bangladesh coast , 32 dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front lines in New York wish they ’ d known a month ago Australia now leading the race for a vaccine — Greg Hunt ( The Daily Telegraph ) : “ Firstly , in terms of treatments , there are more than 300 trials of treatments under way globally , including several here in Australia .
Some involve new drugs .
Some seek to use — re-purpose — existing ones .
Some are more promising than others.
” Don ’ t take it out on Asian Australians in the search for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The Guardian ) : “ Last week , I was one of the signatories to an open letter calling for national unity and rejecting racism signed by Chinese Australians from across the political and cultural divide .
We have been watching with growing concern the shift in the public discourse that demands a public intervention , something we have not seen since Pauline Hanson appeared on the national stage in the mid-1990s.
” After 10 days of hell , take it from me : you don ’ t want to catch this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) : “ The days had a grim rhythm before I got sick .
As coronavirus tightened its grip on Europe , Spain ’ s latest death toll would come in mid-morning , France and the United Kingdom would follow mid-afternoon and Italy at 5pm .
Thousands would be dead by the time I filed my story before dinner .
”

THE CRITERIA NEEDED TO LIFT LOCKDOWN
After guaranteeing that current measures will remain in place for at least four more weeks, the ABC reports that Scott Morrison has outlined three requirements Australia would need to fulfil before the country begins relaxing existing rules:
Broader testing regime Better contact tracing Confidence in the healthcare system’s capacity to contain outbreaks
According to The Sydney Morning Herald ($), fresh modelling from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity suggests social distancing measures are keeping the pandemic at a low level, to the point that the virus could be eliminated from mainland Australia in a matter of months.
NOT THE END, NOT THE BEGINNING OF THE END: As optimistic as that sounds, consider a new Science report suggesting that resurgent global waves of the virus, “could occur as late as 2025 even after a prolonged period of apparent elimination” and — in the absence of new treatments or a vaccine — “surveillance and intermittent distancing (or sustained distancing if it is highly effective) may need to be maintained into 2022.”
MILLIONS FOR VIRGIN, QANTAS
Last night, the ABC reported that the federal government will pledge $165 million to underwrite domestic Virgin Australia and Qantas flights to capital cities and around a dozen regional centres, over the next eight weeks.
After suspending domestic flights last week, Virgin Australia will today begin operating 64 return services from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth. This follows existing support for both airlines to maintain international routes to Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong and Auckland.
NATIONALISE THIS: The announcement comes after Greens leader Adam Bandt called for the government to bring Virgin into public ownership rather than let it fall into administration. The Courier-Mail reports over $2 billion in forward flight bookings and billions more in velocity points, there’s basically no capacity from the private sector.
REMOTE TESTING PROGRAM
The Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt yesterday announced $3.3 million to establish a rapid Remote Point of Care Testing Program for remote and rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
There will be 83 testing sites rolled out across at-risk Indigenous communities using the 45-minute Xpert SARS-CoV-2 test, which, as SBS explores in more depth, should come as a relief for communities in areas such as the Kimberley where results can currently take up to 10 days.
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LET’S TRACETOGETHER, APART
According to ZDNet, parliamentary discussions have accelerated this week over an Australian version of the TraceTogether app. Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert announced yesterday that, while a local version is still some weeks away from going live, it is in the final stages of a privacy impact assessment, with “very strong cybersecurity assistance” from the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Australian Signals Directorate.
HOW MANY DIFFERENT WORDS THERE SET OFF RED FLAGS? While Robert also went to pains to explain how the app’s combination of Bluetooth and encrypted systems could protect privacy, computing experts at Macquarie University and the University of Melbourne last week explained how the original app provides too much power and too little oversight to the “centralised authority” managing user’s data.
STATE WRAP: RELAXING DONOR DISCRIMINATION, NT STIMULUS PACKAGE & LANDLORD PROTESTS
NSW is set to relax restrictions on gay men donating blood and redress discriminatory red tape throughout the pandemic (The Sydney Morning Herald ($));
The NT government will double its “Home Improvement Scheme” stimulus package to more than $60 million, after receiving more than 10,000 applications in under a month (NT News); and
The Queensland Government has promised to continue consultation on proposed rental protections after the Real Estate Institute of Queensland delivered thousands of angry letters to the Premier’s office within a 24-hour campaign. (The Courier-Mail)
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
This is COVID-19, not COVID-1 folks, and so you would think the people in charge of the World Health Organization, facts and figures, would be on top of that. Kellyanne Conway
If you’re wondering why people are literally protesting against life-saving stay-at-home measures in America, check out Donald Trump’s counsellor on Fox News.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Loss of international students set to blow $30b-$60b hole in economy
Victoria brushes aside PM’s calls to send children back to school for term two
‘The hypocrisy made me sick’: Turnbull reveals details about Christensen AFP probe
WhatsApp! Turn a secret into a tale … tell Malcolm Turnbull
Thousands sign up for a last-minute bid to get $6000 home battery deal
Research debunks claim Australia may face coronavirus food shortages
Will the pandemic stall action on climate change?
Almost 400 starving Rohingya refugees rescued off Bangladesh coast, 32 dead after months at sea
South Korea’s coronavirus battle propels Moon Jae-in’s ruling party to election win
What doctors on the front lines in New York wish they’d known a month ago
THE COMMENTARIAT
Australia now leading the race for a vaccine — Greg Hunt (The Daily Telegraph): “Firstly, in terms of treatments, there are more than 300 trials of treatments under way globally, including several here in Australia. Some involve new drugs. Some seek to use — re-purpose — existing ones. Some are more promising than others.”
Don’t take it out on Asian Australians in the search for a scapegoat for Covid-19 — Jason Yat-sen Li (The Guardian): “Last week, I was one of the signatories to an open letter calling for national unity and rejecting racism signed by Chinese Australians from across the political and cultural divide. We have been watching with growing concern the shift in the public discourse that demands a public intervention, something we have not seen since Pauline Hanson appeared on the national stage in the mid-1990s.”
After 10 days of hell, take it from me: you don’t want to catch this virus — Bevan Shields (The Age): “The days had a grim rhythm before I got sick. As coronavirus tightened its grip on Europe, Spain’s latest death toll would come in mid-morning, France and the United Kingdom would follow mid-afternoon and Italy at 5pm. Thousands would be dead by the time I filed my story before dinner.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


Worm: Swearing revenge?

Good morning , early birds .
Adem Somyurek has leaked more than two years ' worth of filthy texts from federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne , and Australia and the UK have begun formal negotiations for a post-Brexit free trade deal .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
HOW TO BYRNE A FORMER ALLY In his first apparent payback ploy , Adem Somyurek has leaked more than two years ’ worth of filthy texts from federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne , a former ally who earlier announced plans to cooperate with police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melbourne electorate office proved crucial in toppling Somyurek .
Both The Australian ( $ ) and The Age have today ’ s “ exclusive ” list of texts , none of which , you ’ ll notice , are quite on par with branch stacking .
They include , but are by no means limited to , Byrne : • hoping — amidst a failed preselection battle for factional ally Jane Garrett — that Premier Daniel Andrews “ enjoys the victory ” and it “ signs his death warrant politically ’ .
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factional rivals ’ attempts to recruit Afghan community members by meeting with an Afghan ambassador .
• calling Bill Shorten a “ white Anglo Xavier boy .
He ’ s never put anyone into parliament .
And he ’ s never thanked me for getting him preselected after Conroy tried to [ … ] me ’ ’ Byrne , whose relationship with Somyurek had reportedly frayed over the past six months , has since accused his former ally of cherry-picking : IN CASE LABOR DIDN ’ T HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports that Chris Bowen billed taxpayers for a four-hour trip around Adelaide , where he spent most of his time at a party fundraiser but also had a press conference and , according to a spokeswoman , multiple stakeholder meetings .
Australia and the UK have begun formal negotiations for a post-Brexit free trade deal , with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting that UK International Trade Secretary Liz Truss will emphasise travel reform for professional workers in order to grow movement , investment and competition in the two countries ’ services sectors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly might consider the unlikely possibility of free travel — Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has written something of a love letter to the UK-Australian relationship in London ’ s Daily Telegraph ( via The Sydney Morning Herald ) .
NOT ALL BANGERS AND MASH : According to the ABC , China ’ s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has returned Foreign Minister Marise Payne accusations of spreading COVID-19 disinformation and political manipulation , countering evidence of China ’ s state-run Twitter operations with Australia ’ s denial over China ’ s allegations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ALBO GOES IN TO BAT FOR DETAINED EX-CON According to The Australian ( $ ) , Anthony Albanese has written to Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge to resolve the three-year detention of an Iraqi-born , Australian-raised man currently in Villawood .
The man , whose 19-year-old humanitarian visa was revoked in 2016 after serving five years in jail over gang-related convictions , has been found by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to “ pose no threat to Australia ” ; Albanese is now calling for a decision after earlier “ seeking an update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 2019 wherein we were advised that his application was still being processed ” .
IN ROUGHLY THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION : The Queensland government has passed a bill denying bail for repeat youth offenders ; this push to increase the number of incarcerated young people comes just one year after Four Corners discovered children were being held in isolated adult watch houses due to overcrowded youth detention centres .
• In a packed day for the state , Queensland ’ s government has announced a COVID-Safe State Election Plan ; a return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one year wage freeze for public sector workers including teachers , nurses , police and firefighters .
• The ACT yesterday announced the territory ’ s schedule to restart non-contact ( Friday June 19 ) and contact ( Friday July 10 ) sport competition .
• Legal services in South Australia have received an additional $ 4.8 million in federal funding , following a spike in inquiries throughout the pandemic relating to areas including family and domestic violence matters , elder abuse , social security issues , employment matters and tenancy disputes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has thus far delivered almost $ 6 million in financial support to 70 state community groups and local government authorities through the state ’ s Lotterywest COVID-19 Relief Fund .
• Finally , as students return to Kindergarten to Year 2 , the Tasmanian government announced a “ bounce back ” program to be run by early learning educators .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The best of the revenge texts leaked by Adem Somyurek against his former ally could only ever read like the archetypal ‘ Australian politician who thinks they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALL ABOUT IT Son of independent MP who backed CFA revamp bill got fireys union job Old jobs may have to go in PM ’ s recovery plan ( $ ) Experts warn of housing ‘ time bomb ’ when Covid rent laws expire and welfare halves First human trial of University of QLD COVID-19 vaccine days away ( $ ) US admits flaws as UN human rights body set to debate racism New Beijing outbreak raises fears for the rest of the world China and India agree to peacefully solve border tensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adem Somyurek ’ s poison apples ( $ ) — Niki Savva ( The Australian ) : “ Whatever joy followed the toppling of a much-hated powerbroker inside the Labor Party was quickly tempered by trepidation about what will certainly follow .
Those who know Adem Somyurek , who have been fighting him for years and warning others about him , are confident there will be retribution — there will be other soiled reputations , careers wrecked and rolling Labor instability from now until the next federal election.
” Take it from one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform : now ’ s the time to try again — John Hewson ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ My main mistake as opposition leader in advocating broad-based tax reform in the early 1990s — as a key element of the Coalition ’ s Fightback campaign for broad government reform — was to misread the politics .
I assumed that Paul Keating could be held to his word , particularly his public support for a consumption tax after his “ option c ” — defined by a 12.5 % consumption tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room deal between Bob Hawke and ACTU leader Bill Kelty.
” The chokehold of slavery on settler memory — Barry Corr ( Overland ) : “ Scott Morrison ’ s recent qualification of his statements regarding the history of slavery in Australia , apparently limiting his denial to NSW , tells us a lot about the use of history in settler societies .
It ’ s possible that the popular idea of sugar and cotton plantations of the Caribbean and southern states of the USA have distorted our understandings of slavery .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s instructions on slavery were clear ; there was to be no slavery in NSW , the colony was to be an experiment in penitentiary reform.
” • National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs Allan Gyngell will speak in the latest Australia Institute webinar , War is not a Metaphor : Misrepresenting Policy Issues as Security Problems , in conversation with director of the AI ’ s International & Security Affairs Program Allan Behm .

HOW TO BYRNE A FORMER ALLY
In his first apparent payback ploy, Adem Somyurek has leaked more than two years’ worth of filthy texts from federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne, a former ally who earlier announced plans to cooperate with police and IBAC investigations after secret recordings in his Melbourne electorate office proved crucial in toppling Somyurek.
Both The Australian ($) and The Age have today’s “exclusive” list of texts, none of which, you’ll notice, are quite on par with branch stacking. They include, but are by no means limited to, Byrne:
calling former colleague Sam Dastyari a “crooked, corrupt fuck” (July 31, 2017, i.e. pre-Dasha’s downfall).
a “crooked, corrupt fuck” (July 31, 2017, i.e. pre-Dasha’s downfall). hoping — amidst a failed preselection battle for factional ally Jane Garrett — that Premier Daniel Andrews “enjoys the victory” and it “signs his death warrant politically’.’
— that Premier “enjoys the victory” and it “signs his death warrant politically’.’ planning to “dynamite” left factional rivals’ attempts to recruit Afghan community members by meeting with an Afghan ambassador.
calling Bill Shorten a “white Anglo Xavier boy. He’s never put anyone into parliament. And he’s never thanked me for getting him preselected after Conroy tried to […] me’’
Byrne, whose relationship with Somyurek had reportedly frayed over the past six months, has since accused his former ally of cherry-picking:
Somyurek has selectively released a handpicked selection of my text messages to him sent over two years just hours after I made a public statement that I had contacted authorities and would assist with their corruption investigations into him. That speaks for itself.
IN CASE LABOR DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT: The Guardian’s latest expense scandal reports that Chris Bowen billed taxpayers for a four-hour trip around Adelaide, where he spent most of his time at a party fundraiser but also had a press conference and, according to a spokeswoman, multiple stakeholder meetings.
POST-BREXIT PLANS
Australia and the UK have begun formal negotiations for a post-Brexit free trade deal, with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting that UK International Trade Secretary Liz Truss will emphasise travel reform for professional workers in order to grow movement, investment and competition in the two countries’ services sectors.
Additionally, to spruik negotiations — which reportedly might consider the unlikely possibility of free travel — Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has written something of a love letter to the UK-Australian relationship in London’s Daily Telegraph (via The Sydney Morning Herald).
NOT ALL BANGERS AND MASH: According to the ABC, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has returned Foreign Minister Marise Payne accusations of spreading COVID-19 disinformation and political manipulation, countering evidence of China’s state-run Twitter operations with Australia’s denial over China’s allegations of racist incidents in a domestic travel warning.
ALBO GOES IN TO BAT FOR DETAINED EX-CON
According to The Australian ($), Anthony Albanese has written to Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge to resolve the three-year detention of an Iraqi-born, Australian-raised man currently in Villawood.
The man, whose 19-year-old humanitarian visa was revoked in 2016 after serving five years in jail over gang-related convictions, has been found by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to “pose no threat to Australia”; Albanese is now calling for a decision after earlier “seeking an update to the review of his case in September 2019 wherein we were advised that his application was still being processed”.
IN ROUGHLY THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION: The Queensland government has passed a bill denying bail for repeat youth offenders; this push to increase the number of incarcerated young people comes just one year after Four Corners discovered children were being held in isolated adult watch houses due to overcrowded youth detention centres.
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STATE VIRUS WATCH: QUEENSLAND’S BUSY DAY
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
I want [former Labor Left powerbroker Alan] Griffin destroyed. I want his head cut off and then I am going to piss on his corpse. Labor MP Anthony Byrne
The best of the revenge texts leaked by Adem Somyurek against his former ally could only ever read like the archetypal ‘Australian politician who thinks they’re a gangster’.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Son of independent MP who backed CFA revamp bill got fireys union job
Old jobs may have to go in PM’s recovery plan ($)
Experts warn of housing ‘time bomb’ when Covid rent laws expire and welfare halves
Shooters support means Labor is gunning for Eden by-election win ($)
Greens push to ban dirty political donations and restore democracy
Trump administration sues John Bolton to delay release of book
First human trial of University of QLD COVID-19 vaccine days away ($)
US admits flaws as UN human rights body set to debate racism
New Beijing outbreak raises fears for the rest of the world
China and India agree to peacefully solve border tensions after fatal clash
THE COMMENTARIAT
Labor must now beware Adem Somyurek’s poison apples ($) — Niki Savva (The Australian): “Whatever joy followed the toppling of a much-hated powerbroker inside the Labor Party was quickly tempered by trepidation about what will certainly follow. Those who know Adem Somyurek, who have been fighting him for years and warning others about him, are confident there will be retribution — there will be other soiled reputations, careers wrecked and rolling Labor instability from now until the next federal election.”
Take it from one who’s been burnt attempting tax reform: now’s the time to try again — John Hewson (The Sydney Morning Herald): “My main mistake as opposition leader in advocating broad-based tax reform in the early 1990s — as a key element of the Coalition’s Fightback campaign for broad government reform — was to misread the politics. I assumed that Paul Keating could be held to his word, particularly his public support for a consumption tax after his “option c” — defined by a 12.5% consumption tax — had been scuttled by a motel room deal between Bob Hawke and ACTU leader Bill Kelty.”
The chokehold of slavery on settler memory — Barry Corr (Overland): “Scott Morrison’s recent qualification of his statements regarding the history of slavery in Australia, apparently limiting his denial to NSW, tells us a lot about the use of history in settler societies. It’s possible that the popular idea of sugar and cotton plantations of the Caribbean and southern states of the USA have distorted our understandings of slavery. As frequently pointed out, Governor Phillip’s instructions on slavery were clear; there was to be no slavery in NSW, the colony was to be an experiment in penitentiary reform.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Australia


crikey--2020-02-20--Worm: Two dead after passenger train derails

Good morning , early birds .
Two people have died after a train on route to Sydney derailed overnight , and Victoria and NSW have accused the federal government of withholding promised NDIS funds .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Two people have died after a train derailed north of Melbourne overnight , with the ABC reporting other minor injuries among the roughly 160 passengers .
Five passenger cars derailed , with the train locomotive on its side , when the Sydney-bound XPT service was near the town of Wallan , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Coalition NSW governments have accused the Morrison government of withholding $ 1.7 billion in reserve funds for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to prop-up its — now bushfire and coronavirus wrecked — budget surplus .
The Age reports that disabilities ministers from both states have written to the federal government demanding the funding — agreed upon in May 2019 — be released immediately .
In other federal funding news , Scott Morrison will today announce a $ 1.1 billion upgrade to RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory in order to fast-track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Australian ( $ ) reports .
Greens leader Adam Bandt will today call for public school fees to be scrapped entirely , The New Daily reports , pointing to reports that families face up to $ 5000 a year in creeping “ voluntary fees ” for books , stationery , uniforms , sports programs and more .
Meanwhile , Labor leader Anthony Albanese will commit to a target of net-zero emissions by 2050 , oppose taxpayer funds for new coal-fired power plants , and oppose using the Kyoto carryover credits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the goalposts have shifted .
NINE DEAD IN GERMANY FOLLOWING ANTI-MUSLIM MASSACRE A 43-year-old German gunman has killed nine people in racially motivated shootings , including people of Turkish origin at two different shisha bars , before killing his mother and ultimately himself .
Chancellor Angela Merkel said the massacre exposes the “ poison ” of racism in German society , The Guardian reports .
The BCC reports the massacre comes just days after 12 members of a far-right group were arrested in Germany for planning attacks on mosques , politicians and asylum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Dutch court has convicted a man for anti-Muslim threats directly inspired by the Christchurch massacre .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The US Democrat lands the first blow in a debate that really ought to make a certain late contender question whether the $ 400 million buy-in was worth it .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Former WA treasurer Troy Buswell charged with aggravated assault of woman ‘ Set up for failure ’ : Almost 18 per cent of Australian children in poverty Queensland police spark anger with ‘ open mind ’ comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Done with brutality of politics , rebel MP Miller quits to force by-election Bob Brown takes the gloves off to give ‘ unruly mob ’ a lashing Aspiring MP forced to pull out of preselection race over $ 249 fine Comedian Celeste Barber and fireys ask Supreme Court how to release $ 52m donations ( $ ) Taliban figure Ehsanullah Ehsan , who claimed responsibility for Malala Yousafzai shooting , escapes from prison , Pakistan Interior Minister confirms Tindal base upgrade a boon for Indo-Pacific security ( $ ) — Greg Sheridan ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Australian air force base at Tindal in the Northern Territory is about much more than an extended runway and extra engineering and fuel storage facilities.
” Criminal penalties for corporate wage theft are appealing , but won ’ t fix the problem on their own — Tess Hardy ( The Conversation ) : “ Australian supermarket giant Coles and discount chain Target this week joined an ignominious list of large corporations caught up in ‘ wage theft ’ scandals.
” Why the dash for gas – and cash – is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ A paper published on Thursday in the scientific journal Nature by Benjamin Hmiel and colleagues shows that the proportion of methane emissions made by man is 25 to 40 per cent greater than previously estimated.
” • A documentary about Bob Brown ‘ s anti-Adani trip to Queensland , Convoy , will screen at the Transitions Film Festival .
• The Refugee Advocacy Network will host live-streamed symposium event “ BEHIND CLOSED DOORS : The Crisis in Australian Immigration Detention ” at Melbourne Law School , featuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santow and human rights lawyer David Manne .
• The Mulloon Institute will help launch the Clean Energy Regulator ’ s new handbook for farmers wanting to join the Climate Solutions Fund with soil-carbon projects .
• ESEM Projects co-director Dr Sarah Barns will launch her new book , Platform Urbanism : Negotiating Platform Ecosystems in Connected Cities , at a UNSW panel event .
• A “ Mapping March ” event will be held for WheelEasy , a new app designed to create access information for people with mobility impairments .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a report into the Inland Rail , claiming regional communities across Victoria , NSW and Queensland will benefit up to $ 13.3 billion in GPD over the next 50 years following its completion .
• The inquest findings into the deaths of four people at Dreamworld will be handed down .
• The State Library of Queensland will host forum event “ Minya Birrañ : what now for Indigenous languages ?
” It will be headlined by performer Emily Wurramara , to coincide with International Mother Language Day .
• Liberal Senator Eric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new , $ 7 million state-of-the-art winery , which is reportedly sustainably designed to reuse ‘ wasted ’ energy .

DERAILED
Two people have died after a train derailed north of Melbourne overnight, with the ABC reporting other minor injuries among the roughly 160 passengers. Five passenger cars derailed, with the train locomotive on its side, when the Sydney-bound XPT service was near the town of Wallan, just before 7.45pm.
HOARDING FUNDS
Both the Labor Victorian and Coalition NSW governments have accused the Morrison government of withholding $1.7 billion in reserve funds for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to prop-up its — now bushfire and coronavirus wrecked — budget surplus.
The Age reports that disabilities ministers from both states have written to the federal government demanding the funding — agreed upon in May 2019 — be released immediately.
PUTTING THE ‘US’ IN AUSTRALIA
In other federal funding news, Scott Morrison will today announce a $1.1 billion upgrade to RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory in order to fast-track jet fighter rollouts and support US aircrafts, The Australian ($) reports.
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GREENS FOR FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Greens leader Adam Bandt will today call for public school fees to be scrapped entirely, The New Daily reports, pointing to reports that families face up to $5000 a year in creeping “voluntary fees” for books, stationery, uniforms, sports programs and more.
Meanwhile, Labor leader Anthony Albanese will commit to a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, oppose taxpayer funds for new coal-fired power plants, and oppose using the Kyoto carryover credits, The Guardian reports. Oh, how the goalposts have shifted.
NINE DEAD IN GERMANY FOLLOWING ANTI-MUSLIM MASSACRE
A 43-year-old German gunman has killed nine people in racially motivated shootings, including people of Turkish origin at two different shisha bars, before killing his mother and ultimately himself. Chancellor Angela Merkel said the massacre exposes the “poison” of racism in German society, The Guardian reports.
The BCC reports the massacre comes just days after 12 members of a far-right group were arrested in Germany for planning attacks on mosques, politicians and asylum seekers, while The Daily Sabah reports a Dutch court has convicted a man for anti-Muslim threats directly inspired by the Christchurch massacre.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
I’d like to talk about who we’re running against: a billionaire who calls women ‘fat broads’ and ‘horsey-faced lesbians’. And no I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg. Elizabeth Warren
The US Democrat lands the first blow in a debate that really ought to make a certain oligarch late contender question whether the $400 million buy-in was worth it.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Former WA treasurer Troy Buswell charged with aggravated assault of woman
‘Set up for failure’: Almost 18 per cent of Australian children in poverty
Queensland police spark anger with ‘open mind’ comment on murder of Hannah Clarke and children
Done with brutality of politics, rebel MP Miller quits to force by-election
Bob Brown takes the gloves off to give ‘unruly mob’ a lashing
Fates of humans and insects intertwined, warn scientists
Aspiring MP forced to pull out of preselection race over $249 fine
Comedian Celeste Barber and fireys ask Supreme Court how to release $52m donations ($)
Fund squeeze will hurt family law, Legal Aid says
Australian scientists close to developing holy grail of clean energy ($)
Taliban figure Ehsanullah Ehsan, who claimed responsibility for Malala Yousafzai shooting, escapes from prison, Pakistan Interior Minister confirms
THE COMMENTARIAT
Tindal base upgrade a boon for Indo-Pacific security ($) — Greg Sheridan (The Australian): “The upgrade to the Australian air force base at Tindal in the Northern Territory is about much more than an extended runway and extra engineering and fuel storage facilities.”
Criminal penalties for corporate wage theft are appealing, but won’t fix the problem on their own — Tess Hardy (The Conversation): “Australian supermarket giant Coles and discount chain Target this week joined an ignominious list of large corporations caught up in ‘wage theft’ scandals.”
Why the dash for gas – and cash – is not an option — Greg Bourne (The Sydney Morning Herald): “A paper published on Thursday in the scientific journal Nature by Benjamin Hmiel and colleagues shows that the proportion of methane emissions made by man is 25 to 40 per cent greater than previously estimated.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Melbourne
A documentary about Bob Brown ‘s anti-Adani trip to Queensland, Convoy, will screen at the Transitions Film Festival.
The Refugee Advocacy Network will host live-streamed symposium event “BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: The Crisis in Australian Immigration Detention” at Melbourne Law School, featuring former refugees, human rights commissioner Edward Santow and human rights lawyer David Manne.
Canberra
The Mulloon Institute will help launch the Clean Energy Regulator’s new handbook for farmers wanting to join the Climate Solutions Fund with soil-carbon projects.
Sydney
ESEM Projects co-director Dr Sarah Barns will launch her new book, Platform Urbanism: Negotiating Platform Ecosystems in Connected Cities, at a UNSW panel event.
A “Mapping March” event will be held for WheelEasy, a new app designed to create access information for people with mobility impairments.
Wagga Wagga, NSW
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack will release a report into the Inland Rail, claiming regional communities across Victoria, NSW and Queensland will benefit up to $13.3 billion in GPD over the next 50 years following its completion.
Brisbane
The inquest findings into the deaths of four people at Dreamworld will be handed down.
The State Library of Queensland will host forum event “Minya Birrañ: what now for Indigenous languages?” It will be headlined by performer Emily Wurramara, to coincide with International Mother Language Day.
Hobart


crikey--2020-03-22--Worm: Sorry, we're closed

Worm: Sorry, we're closed

Good morning , early birds .
Pubs , cinemas , gyms , sporting venues and places to worship to boot will be shut down from midday today , and the federal government has unveiled its second stimulus package .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Last night , Scott Morrison announced that federal and state governments have agreed to shut down the following facilities from midday local time today for at least six months .
• Pubs , registered and licenced clubs ( excluding bottle shops attached to these venues ) and hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cafes , although takeaway and/or home delivery will be permitted .
• Religious gatherings , places of worship and funerals ( in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the one person per 4 square metre rule applies ) .
Isolated remote community hubs are not included in these restrictions , and neither , as the ABC explains , are supermarkets , banks , petrol stations , pharmacies , convenience stores , freight and logistics , food delivery , bottle shops , hairdressers and beauticians .
The government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , combined with earlier announcements and the RBA ’ s $ 90 billion banking pledge , Treasury says will cover a total $ 189 billion across forward estimates or 9.7 % of annual GDP .
Below are some of the major initiatives , along with timeframes , cost breakdowns and links to fact-sheets .
• A new coronavirus supplement at a rate of $ 550 per fortnight for those receiving the following benefits : JobSeeker Payment , Youth Allowance Jobseeker , Parenting Payment , Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit .
( From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion . )
• Income support recipients not eligible for the coronavirus supplement — for example , Youth Allowance Student , Austudy and Disability Support Pension — will receive a second $ 750 payment from July 13 on top of the previously announced $ 750 payment to be made available for all welfare recipients from March 31 .
( Cost : $ 8.8 billion for both payments . )
• Affected individuals will be able to access up to $ 10,000 of their superannuation tax-free in 2019-20 and a further $ 10,000 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion . )
• The previously announced boosting cash flow for employers package will now cover up to $ 100,000 across two financial years for eligible small and medium businesses — and now not-for-profits and charities that employ people too — on turnovers of below $ 50 million .
Payments will be based on PAYG payments with a floor of $ 20,000 .
( Cost : $ 32 billion , up from $ 7 billion . )
• A coronavirus SME guarantee scheme covering 50 % of new loans to small and medium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Cost : up to $ 20 billion . )
Although Morrison also announced last night that schools will be open today , the ABC reports that Victoria has gone its own way by bringing school holidays forward a week ( to start tomorrow ) while the ACT will pursue a shift to online education .
The Guardian has a rundown of conflicting federal-state views , including a hint from NSW about education announcements today .
STATE QUARANTINES : Western Australia and South Australia have joined Tasmania and the Northern Territory by announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travellers , starting tomorrow , the ABC reports .
Because it was a big news weekend , here are a couple more major announcements .
• The Victorian government announced its own $ 1.7 billion economic survival package — to include , uniquely , a $ 500 million working for Victoria fund to help workers who have lost their jobs find new employment opportunities , as well as emergency relief packages of both food and essential supplies for people self-isolating .
• NDIS Minister Stuart Robert announced new measures for NDIS participants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of plans by up to 24 months , face-to-face planning shifted to telephone meetings where possible , and an action plan to ensure NDIS participants and their families continue to receive the essential disability supports they need throughout the crisis .
• Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has suspended Work for the Dole and other Community Development Programme group requirements , with online activities to be made voluntary .
And finally , 2700 passengers aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship were — despite multiple presentations of COVID-19 symptoms and subsequently confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , The Australian ( $ ) reports .
Reportedly , NSW Health deemed the ship “ low risk ” when it docked with four confirmed cases on board , but federal government-run biosecurity portal MARS listed it as “ medium risk ” only a week earlier .
NOT SO FUN FACT : According to the ABC , Sydney beaches have been cancelled ( like , more than usual ) — although some tourists have ignored the signs and/or that little bit of empathy for fellow human beings .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel nostalgic for capitalism , here ’ s an 80-year-old billionaire retailer telling 60 Minutes “ there ’ s pretty much nothing to get scared of ” while crowing about a panic-buying-induced windfall .
READ ALL ABOUT IT What consumers can do if the coronavirus affects their plans Fears of ventilator shortage if coronavirus cases surge in Australia ( $ ) Italian PM warns of worst crisis since WW2 as coronavirus deaths leap by almost 800 Coronavirus lockdown in Croatia ’ s capital of Zagreb hampered by magnitude-5.3 earthquake Fears coronavirus could spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Five quick questions on the AFL suspending the 2020 season Morrison must protect the most vulnerable Australians to combat the coronavirus crisis — Ross Gittins ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ There are two ways Scott Morrison can play this coronacession : he can spread the pain as fairly as possible , or he can yield to all his political instincts and play favourites .
You know : lifters get looked after , leaners take their chances .
Those my tribe judge to be not “ having a go ” won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wrong time for Greens to be playing games ( $ ) — Jacqui Lambie ( The Australian ) : “ I have learned one thing about wielding power in the Senate : it ’ s important to pick your moment .
When you do it right , you can do a world of good .
If you get it wrong , you can do enormous damage .
So , I was so disappointed to read of the Greens ’ plan to hold up the government ’ s stimulus package this week .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newstart recipients , and coronavirus leave for workers .
Both those ideas make sense.
” How Australia ’ s response to the Spanish flu of 1919 sounds warnings on dealing with coronavirus — Frank Bongiorno ( The Conversation ) : “ Most Australians – Indigenous people under the protection acts were an exception – have long taken for granted their right to cross state borders .
They have treated them much as they do the often unmarked boundaries dividing their suburbs .
Not any more.
” • Federal parliament will sit in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus packages .

CLOSED FOR BUSINESS
Last night, Scott Morrison announced that federal and state governments have agreed to shut down the following facilities from midday local time today for at least six months.
Pubs, registered and licenced clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues) and hotels (excluding accommodation).
Gyms and indoor sporting venues.
Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos and nightclubs.
Restaurants and cafes, although takeaway and/or home delivery will be permitted.
Religious gatherings, places of worship and funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the one person per 4 square metre rule applies).
Isolated remote community hubs are not included in these restrictions, and neither, as the ABC explains, are supermarkets, banks, petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and logistics, food delivery, bottle shops, hairdressers and beauticians.
SECOND STIMULUS PACKAGE
The government has outlined a second economic stimulus package that, combined with earlier announcements and the RBA’s $90 billion banking pledge, Treasury says will cover a total $189 billion across forward estimates or 9.7% of annual GDP.
Below are some of the major initiatives, along with timeframes, cost breakdowns and links to fact-sheets.
A new coronavirus supplement at a rate of $550 per fortnight for those receiving the following benefits: JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance Jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit. (From April 27; cost: $14.1 billion.)
Income support recipients not eligible for the coronavirus supplement — for example, Youth Allowance Student, Austudy and Disability Support Pension — will receive a second $750 payment from July 13 on top of the previously announced $750 payment to be made available for all welfare recipients from March 31. (Cost: $8.8 billion for both payments.)
Affected individuals will be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation tax-free in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21. (Cost: $1.15 billion.)
The previously announced boosting cash flow for employers package will now cover up to $100,000 across two financial years for eligible small and medium businesses — and now not-for-profits and charities that employ people too — on turnovers of below $50 million. Payments will be based on PAYG payments with a floor of $20,000. (Cost: $32 billion, up from $7 billion.)
A coronavirus SME guarantee scheme covering 50% of new loans to small and medium enterprises of up to $250,000. (Cost: up to $20 billion.)
ANDREWS SPLITS FROM MORRISON ON SCHOOLS
Although Morrison also announced last night that schools will be open today, the ABC reports that Victoria has gone its own way by bringing school holidays forward a week (to start tomorrow) while the ACT will pursue a shift to online education.
The Guardian has a rundown of conflicting federal-state views, including a hint from NSW about education announcements today.
STATE QUARANTINES: Western Australia and South Australia have joined Tasmania and the Northern Territory by announcing border closures and 14-day self-quarantine measures for travellers, starting tomorrow, the ABC reports.
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A LOT CAN CHANGE OVERNIGHT
Because it was a big news weekend, here are a couple more major announcements.
The Victorian government announced its own $1.7 billion economic survival package — to include, uniquely, a $500 million working for Victoria fund to help workers who have lost their jobs find new employment opportunities, as well as emergency relief packages of both food and essential supplies for people self-isolating.
NDIS Minister Stuart Robert announced new measures for NDIS participants, workers and providers, including an extension of plans by up to 24 months, face-to-face planning shifted to telephone meetings where possible, and an action plan to ensure NDIS participants and their families continue to receive the essential disability supports they need throughout the crisis.
announced new measures for NDIS participants, workers and providers, including an extension of plans by up to 24 months, face-to-face planning shifted to telephone meetings where possible, and an action plan to ensure NDIS participants and their families continue to receive the essential disability supports they need throughout the crisis. Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has suspended Work for the Dole and other Community Development Programme group requirements, with online activities to be made voluntary.
GOODBYE, RUBY PRINCESS
And finally, 2700 passengers aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship were — despite multiple presentations of COVID-19 symptoms and subsequently confirmed cases — allowed to disembark in Sydney last Thursday, The Australian ($) reports.
Reportedly, NSW Health deemed the ship “low risk” when it docked with four confirmed cases on board, but federal government-run biosecurity portal MARS listed it as “medium risk” only a week earlier.
NOT SO FUN FACT: According to the ABC, Sydney beaches have been cancelled (like, more than usual) — although some tourists have ignored the signs and/or that little bit of empathy for fellow human beings.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
You know, this is an opportunity. Our sales are up in Harvey Norman in Australia by 9% on last year. Our sales in freezers are up 300%. And what about air purifiers? Up 100%. Gerry Harvey
In case you ever start to feel nostalgic for capitalism, here’s an 80-year-old billionaire retailer telling 60 Minutes “there’s pretty much nothing to get scared of” while crowing about a panic-buying-induced windfall.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Coronavirus pandemic shows government must fix Australia’s NBN, telco experts say
Travel ban would prevent Australian athletes competing in Tokyo: PM
What consumers can do if the coronavirus affects their plans
Fears of ventilator shortage if coronavirus cases surge in Australia ($)
Italian PM warns of worst crisis since WW2 as coronavirus deaths leap by almost 800
Coronavirus lockdown in Croatia’s capital of Zagreb hampered by magnitude-5.3 earthquake
Fears coronavirus could spread to asylum seekers in Australian immigration detention
38 test positive in New York City jails, including Rikers Island
COVID-19 fears dampen Sydney Metro breakthrough
Five quick questions on the AFL suspending the 2020 season
THE COMMENTARIAT
Morrison must protect the most vulnerable Australians to combat the coronavirus crisis — Ross Gittins (The Sydney Morning Herald): “There are two ways Scott Morrison can play this coronacession: he can spread the pain as fairly as possible, or he can yield to all his political instincts and play favourites. You know: lifters get looked after, leaners take their chances. Those my tribe judge to be not “having a go” won’t be given a go.”
Wrong time for Greens to be playing games ($) — Jacqui Lambie (The Australian): “I have learned one thing about wielding power in the Senate: it’s important to pick your moment. When you do it right, you can do a world of good. If you get it wrong, you can do enormous damage. So, I was so disappointed to read of the Greens’ plan to hold up the government’s stimulus package this week. They want to add a pay increase for Newstart recipients, and coronavirus leave for workers. Both those ideas make sense.”
How Australia’s response to the Spanish flu of 1919 sounds warnings on dealing with coronavirus — Frank Bongiorno (The Conversation): “Most Australians – Indigenous people under the protection acts were an exception – have long taken for granted their right to cross state borders. They have treated them much as they do the often unmarked boundaries dividing their suburbs. Not any more.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra


crikey--2020-04-09--COVID-19 is targeting bassists (And other news you may have missed)

The bassists struck by the coronavirus , Donald Trump 's 'cure ' , and other news you may have missed this week .
Donald Trump has recently been enthusiastically pushing the supposed anti-coronavirus properties of hydroxychloroquine .
And that ’ s been a surprise : partially because it ’ s a relatively obscure and superseded malaria treatment which carries high risk for people with heart conditions , and partially because it ’ s a long word that ’ s hard to say .
Bemoaning the fact that a drug which has yet to be comprehensively tested on COVID-19 had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic regardless , he told the world , “ if it does work , it would be a shame we did not do it early , ” and exhorted Americans with the disease to give it a whirl because , “ what do you have to lose ?
” .
And chances are you read that and immediately thought , “ given everything we know about the man ’ s interest in science , medical research and the wellbeing of others , if Trump is so keen on it then he must have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .

Good for what ails ya!
Donald Trump has recently been enthusiastically pushing the supposed anti-coronavirus properties of hydroxychloroquine. And that’s been a surprise: partially because it’s a relatively obscure and superseded malaria treatment which carries high risk for people with heart conditions, and partially because it’s a long word that’s hard to say.
Bemoaning the fact that a drug which has yet to be comprehensively tested on COVID-19 had not been immediately rolled out to battle the pandemic regardless, he told the world, “if it does work, it would be a shame we did not do it early,” and exhorted Americans with the disease to give it a whirl because, “what do you have to lose?”.
And chances are you read that and immediately thought, “given everything we know about the man’s interest in science, medical research and the wellbeing of others, if Trump is so keen on it then he must have a personal financial stake in the drug”.


crikey--2020-03-11--How Italy is dealing with life under Coronavirus quarantine

As the Italian government scrambles to contain the country 's coronavirus outbreak , regular Italians begin to adapt to life @ @ @ @ @ is no more time , '' Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the people of @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
Italy has been the worst hit of any country outside of China @ @ @ @ @ 168 people in the country in the past 24 hours , putting the total fatalities @ @ @ @ @ been recorded in 20 Italian regions .
Australia is among several countries to have enacted @ @ @ @ @ from the country .

“There is no more time,” Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the people of Italy in a TV address on Tuesday.
Italy has been the worst hit of any country outside of China. The virus has killed 168 people in the country in the past 24 hours, putting the total fatalities at 631. Cases have been recorded in 20 Italian regions.
Australia is among several countries to have enacted bans or suspensions on travellers from the country.


crikey--2020-03-27--3 million out of work: record US unemployment every bit as bad as feared

Unemployment has surged to 3 million in a week as the coronavirus crisis hits the US services sector .
Estimates @ @ @ @ @ claims data had ranged from one million up to four million .
Even the lowest @ @ @ @ @ biggest ever by a factor of 50 % .
As it turned out , the @ @ @ @ @ than 3 million Americans filed a claim for unemployment benefits last week in the US @ @ @ @ @ t even the whole story of the surge in joblessness triggered by the coronavirus pandemic @

Estimates for the latest US jobless claims data had ranged from one million up to four million. Even the lowest figure would have been the biggest ever by a factor of 50%.
As it turned out, the pessimists were right.
More than 3 million Americans filed a claim for unemployment benefits last week in the US. And they aren’t even the whole story of the surge in joblessness triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.