crikey--2020-01-28--Worm: Burning the country at both ends

Worm: Burning the country at both ends

Good morning , early birds .
Residents from Perth 's south are being evacuated as a Mundijong fire worsens , and it seems Bridget McKenzie ’ s highly detail-oriented staff colour-coded sports grant applications based on political affiliation .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
As much of Australia prepares for another heatwave , the ABC reports that fire authorities have called for residents to evacuate rural communities in Perth ’ s south , with a Mundijong fire expected to burn for days and a smoke alert issued for parts of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most serious fire since 2003 ” has been downgraded to ‘ watch and act ’ , after burning through more than 8,000 hectares of the Orroral Valley , The Daily Telegraph ( $ ) reports .
Meanwhile , the Productivity Commission will today release annual costings of state fire services spending — which The Age reports Victoria tops at $ 1.8 billion — and Scott Morrison will use his first National Press Club address of the year to flag stronger federal powers to call in the defence force for national disasters , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest updates , visit Emergency WA and ACT Emergency Services Agency .
An ABC report published yesterday has revealed new sports rort details : namely , Sports Australia ’ s direct complaint of political interference to Bridget McKenzie ; the rankings of failed clubs ; and her office ’ s colour-coded grant applications spreadsheet , along with metadata implicating Liberal operative and future director of the National Party , Jonathan Hawkes .
Today , The New Daily has revealed McKenzie charged taxpayers thousands of dollars for an unscheduled and undeclared private jet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooters expo in October 2018 ; and The Age reports McKenzie personally chipped in $ 1 to round up a $ 199,999 federal grant to a marginal Queensland seat ’ s football club less than two months before the election .
Notably , before the ABC ’ s latest coverage , The Australian ( $ ) reported party ally Michael McCormack was refusing to guarantee McKenzie ’ s current position .
An investigation by New Matilda has found News Corp columnist , men ’ s rights advocate and controversial recipient of an Order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doctor or a psychologist… despite being consistently referred to as such by the media and politicians , and dubbed a “ clinical psychologist ” on the back cover of her book The Sex Diaries .
Arndt , whose OAM for “ services to gender equity through advocacy for men ” has been slammed by Rosie Batty and sexual abuse survivors , says she is not “ remotely interested ” in presenting as a psychologist and has come out clean from multiple investigations by authorities .
However , New Matilda has extensively chronicled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Australian and the ABC , to at Senate Estimates in October 2018 .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Faced with revelations by the ABC that his predecessor literally colour-coded grant applications by political utility , Australia ’ s sports minister investigates the real villains : whistleblowers .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Remote NT health clinic placed under special administration after threats of violence ‘ My fight is to the end ’ : sexual abuse survivors dying before they get redress Greens to introduce bill to decriminalise illicit drug use in NSW Abbott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more children Josephine Cashman sacked from Indigenous advisory body after letter published by Andrew Bolt Sports rorts : Why PM Scott Morrison hasn ’ t sacked Bridget McKenzie ( $ ) — Peter van Onselen ( The Australian ) : “ The PM wants a clean and crisp excuse for getting rid of her which won ’ t feed back into who else might have been involved in the sports rorts scandal .
The pathway to that is the investigation his head of department ( and Morrison ’ s former chief of staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking into if she breached the ministerial code of conduct in one narrow respect : not declaring a membership of an organisation a grant went to.
” Desalination plants are a critical part of our future — Emma Johnson ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ The Sydney Desalination Plant ( SDP ) is already running at full capacity , yet it supplies just 15 per cent of Sydney ’ s water needs .
It was originally designed with the capacity to produce double the amount of water it is currently producing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advising the NSW government to expand the plant for some time , a decision which has finally been fast-tracked.
” How contagious is the Wuhan coronavirus and can you spread it before symptoms start ?
— C Raina MacIntyre ( The Conversation ) : “ Cases of the Wuhan coronavirus have increased dramatically over the past week , prompting concerns about how contagious the virus is and how it spreads .
According to the World Health Organisation , 16-21 % of people with the virus in China became severely ill and 2-3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Discrimination and sexual harassment lawyer Aimee Cooper will present her Churchill Fellowship report “ Bringing Equality Laws to Life ” at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission .
• Bioscientist Debora de Freitas will present “ Climate Adaptation Efforts in Santos Coastline , Brazil ” at the Centre for Policy Futures .
• Alleged Darwin gunman Benjamin Glenn Hoffmann is set to be committed to the Supreme Court for trial over the deaths of four men in June 2019 .
• Steve Kaless , former senior media adviser to WA Treasurer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing over an alleged indecent assault on December 13 at a ministerial Christmas party .
• The Senate inquiry into management of the Inland Rail project will hold a public hearing .
• The Productivity Commission will release annual reports on emergency management , police , courts and corrective services .
• Australian financial trader Jionsheng Zhao will be sentenced for “ spoofing ” , where he bought stock and sold them within seconds to inflate their price .

WA AND ACT BURN
As much of Australia prepares for another heatwave, the ABC reports that fire authorities have called for residents to evacuate rural communities in Perth’s south, with a Mundijong fire expected to burn for days and a smoke alert issued for parts of the city. Elsewhere, Canberra’s “most serious fire since 2003” has been downgraded to ‘watch and act’, after burning through more than 8,000 hectares of the Orroral Valley, The Daily Telegraph ($) reports.
Meanwhile, the Productivity Commission will today release annual costings of state fire services spending — which The Age reports Victoria tops at $1.8 billion — and Scott Morrison will use his first National Press Club address of the year to flag stronger federal powers to call in the defence force for national disasters, The Australian ($) reports.
For the latest updates, visit Emergency WA and ACT Emergency Services Agency.
A SMOKING GUN?
An ABC report published yesterday has revealed new sports rort details: namely, Sports Australia’s direct complaint of political interference to Bridget McKenzie; the rankings of failed clubs; and her office’s colour-coded grant applications spreadsheet, along with metadata implicating Liberal operative and future director of the National Party, Jonathan Hawkes.
Today, The New Daily has revealed McKenzie charged taxpayers thousands of dollars for an unscheduled and undeclared private jet charter from Adelaide to Perth for a shooters expo in October 2018; and The Age reports McKenzie personally chipped in $1 to round up a $199,999 federal grant to a marginal Queensland seat’s football club less than two months before the election.
Notably, before the ABC’s latest coverage, The Australian ($) reported party ally Michael McCormack was refusing to guarantee McKenzie’s current position.
BETTINA’S QUALIFICATIONS ARDNT UP TO SNUFF
An investigation by New Matilda has found News Corp columnist, men’s rights advocate and controversial recipient of an Order of Australia Bettina Arndt isn’t a doctor or a psychologist… despite being consistently referred to as such by the media and politicians, and dubbed a “clinical psychologist” on the back cover of her book The Sex Diaries.
Arndt, whose OAM for “services to gender equity through advocacy for men” has been slammed by Rosie Batty and sexual abuse survivors, says she is not “remotely interested” in presenting as a psychologist and has come out clean from multiple investigations by authorities. However, New Matilda has extensively chronicled uncorrected misidentifications, which range from in The Australian and the ABC, to at Senate Estimates in October 2018.
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THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
I have today asked the Secretary of the Department of Health and the CEO of Sport Australia to provide me with an assurance that documents provided to the media today relating to the assessment of Community Sport Infrastructure Grants did not come out of their agencies. Richard Colbeck
Faced with revelations by the ABC that his predecessor literally colour-coded grant applications by political utility, Australia’s sports minister investigates the real villains: snitches whistleblowers.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Trump releases long-awaited Middle-East peace plan
Huawei set for limited role in UK 5G networks
Drought funding ‘confusion’ criticised by rural mayors
Woman found dead in Melbourne’s north-east
Remote NT health clinic placed under special administration after threats of violence
‘My fight is to the end’: sexual abuse survivors dying before they get redress
Greens to introduce bill to decriminalise illicit drug use in NSW
Abbott calls for middle class women to have more children
Josephine Cashman sacked from Indigenous advisory body after letter published by Andrew Bolt
‘Embarrassingly slow’: Australia’s broadband internet ranked fourth slowest in OECD
THE COMMENTARIAT
Sports rorts: Why PM Scott Morrison hasn’t sacked Bridget McKenzie ($) — Peter van Onselen (The Australian): “The PM wants a clean and crisp excuse for getting rid of her which won’t feed back into who else might have been involved in the sports rorts scandal. The pathway to that is the investigation his head of department (and Morrison’s former chief of staff) is doing. That is, looking into if she breached the ministerial code of conduct in one narrow respect: not declaring a membership of an organisation a grant went to.”
Desalination plants are a critical part of our future — Emma Johnson (The Sydney Morning Herald): “The Sydney Desalination Plant (SDP) is already running at full capacity, yet it supplies just 15 per cent of Sydney’s water needs. It was originally designed with the capacity to produce double the amount of water it is currently producing. Key agencies and institutions have been advising the NSW government to expand the plant for some time, a decision which has finally been fast-tracked.”
How contagious is the Wuhan coronavirus and can you spread it before symptoms start? — C Raina MacIntyre (The Conversation): “Cases of the Wuhan coronavirus have increased dramatically over the past week, prompting concerns about how contagious the virus is and how it spreads. According to the World Health Organisation, 16-21% of people with the virus in China became severely ill and 2-3% of those infected have died.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Melbourne
Discrimination and sexual harassment lawyer Aimee Cooper will present her Churchill Fellowship report “Bringing Equality Laws to Life” at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Brisbane
Bioscientist Debora de Freitas will present “Climate Adaptation Efforts in Santos Coastline, Brazil” at the Centre for Policy Futures.
Darwin
Alleged Darwin gunman Benjamin Glenn Hoffmann is set to be committed to the Supreme Court for trial over the deaths of four men in June 2019.
Perth
Steve Kaless, former senior media adviser to WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt, will meet for a hearing over an alleged indecent assault on December 13 at a ministerial Christmas party.
Millmerran, QLD
The Senate inquiry into management of the Inland Rail project will hold a public hearing.
Australia
The Productivity Commission will release annual reports on emergency management, police, courts and corrective services.
New Zealand
Jacinda Ardern is expected to make a major infrastructure announcement.
Chicago, USA


crikey--2020-01-27--Worm: Payne unable to evacuate Aussies in Wuhan

Good morning , early birds .
Foreign Minister Marise Payne says Australia is limited in its ability to help the 100-plus children under lockdown in China , and the government will announce a scant-on-details plan for cutting $ 2 billion from welfare “ overpayments ” .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Foreign Minister Marise Payne says a lack of consulate staff , as well as travel restrictions , is stifling government efforts to evacuate more than 100 Australian children still under lockdown in China ’ s Wuhan area , the epicentre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll exceeds 80 and confirmed cases hit 2,744 , the ABC reports that Payne is stressing limitations to what Australia can do , while the United States and France are reportedly attempting to charter flights for evacuations .
Worryingly , according to The Australian ( $ ) , a handful of Australian schools plan to segregate , test and ban Chinese students — as well as pupils who have visited China over the summer — as a means of precaution .
The virus and China ’ s contagion program are expected to land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global economy , The Age reports .
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston will today announce a revamp of Centrelink ’ s payment system , aimed at cutting $ 2.1 billion across four years in “ overpayments ” to 1.2 million working welfare recipients .
According to The Australian ( $ ) , the Coalition will introduce legislation in the first sitting fortnight that will replace the current system — where recipients manually submit shift numbers and hourly rates — with pre-filled information based on online payroll data .
The data will , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at press time , no explanation of how this translates to $ 2 billion in cuts .
Ruston , at least , should be wary of the last , borderline-illegal time the Coalition tried to recover alleged welfare rorts .
Nick Kyrgios went down in one hell of a fight against Rafael Nadal , forcing the world number one into a tight fourth set marked by an edge-of-your-seat tiebreak .
Nadal won 6-3 , 3-6 , 7-6 ( 8/6 ) , 7-6 ( 7/4 ) after three hours and 38 minutes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to play fifth seed Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals , the ABC reports .
Kyrgios — who went into the Australian Open pledging to donate $ 200 per ace to bushfire relief — paid tribute to Kobe Byrant after the match , and spoke of his personal growth throughout the tournament , the Sydney Morning Herald reports .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
On joining political “ rival ” Clive Palmer ’ s Mineralogy group as a property consultant , Queensland ’ s Liberal National Party president splits a few largely-theoretical hairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IT Yolngu Elder did not author letter [ attributed to him in a column published by Newscorp columnist Andrew Bolt ] Barilaro hits out at federal threat to take over river planning Ex-director of controversial security company Paladin willing to tell all Cost of elections to hit councils hard after bushfires Australia warned it must expand plastic recycling by up to 400 per cent Toxic patriotism is not the answer , change is — Luke Pearson ( IndigenousX ) : ” Some people have struggled to see a connection between Australia Day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refusal to embrace climate change .
The last Guardian article I wrote was met with countless people failing to understand how I could draw a connection to the colonial experiment that is Australia and the current situations that we find ourselves in .
For me however , they are intrinsically linked.
” It ’ s only natural we have affordable gas ( $ ) — Adam Creighton ( The Australian ) : “ It ’ s dreadful the extent to which we ’ ve sacrificed cheap energy , one of our key economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas prices during the past two decades have all but snuffed out any prospect for a thriving manufacturing sector , for instance , which has shrunk faster than that of any other rich country.
” How can a woman who supports a convicted male paedophile be rewarded ?
— Jenna Price ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ The decision to appoint Bettina Arndt a member of the Order of Australia for “ significant service to the community as a social commentator , and to gender equity through advocacy for men ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rewarding those who work in the public interest .
Worse , it makes clear these awards are not based on merit.
” • Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will present “ The Assault on Truth and Accountability in Federal Politics ” at the Wheeler Centre .
• Education Minister James Merlino will visit Leongatha Children ’ s Centre to celebrate the first day of funded three-year-old kindergarten in the state ’ s history .
• The Australian ’ s Paul Kelly will help launch former chief economist Andrew Stone ’ s book Restoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian Economy , at the Centre for Independent Studies , to be followed by a panel discussion with Tony Abbott and CIS executive director Tom Switzer .
• Royal Automobile Association patrol workers will attend a stop-work meeting over a new enterprise agreement .
• The “ greenest ” school in South Australia , the McAuley Community School at Hove , will open with a coveted 6-star green rating issued by the Green Building Council Australia .
• Scott Morrison will attend the first official meeting of the drought and flood advisory board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest In Focus : Crime and Justice Statistics for Partner Violence report .

UNDER LOCKDOWN
Foreign Minister Marise Payne says a lack of consulate staff, as well as travel restrictions, is stifling government efforts to evacuate more than 100 Australian children still under lockdown in China’s Wuhan area, the epicentre of the coronavirus.
As the global death toll exceeds 80 and confirmed cases hit 2,744, the ABC reports that Payne is stressing limitations to what Australia can do, while the United States and France are reportedly attempting to charter flights for evacuations.
Worryingly, according to The Australian ($), a handful of Australian schools plan to segregate, test and ban Chinese students — as well as pupils who have visited China over the summer — as a means of precaution. The virus and China’s contagion program are expected to land a $2.3 billion blow to the global economy, The Age reports.
ROBODEBT 2.0?
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston will today announce a revamp of Centrelink’s payment system, aimed at cutting $2.1 billion across four years in “overpayments” to 1.2 million working welfare recipients.
According to The Australian ($), the Coalition will introduce legislation in the first sitting fortnight that will replace the current system — where recipients manually submit shift numbers and hourly rates — with pre-filled information based on online payroll data. The data will, however, be editable, and there is, at press time, no explanation of how this translates to $2 billion in cuts.
Ruston, at least, should be wary of the last, borderline-illegal time the Coalition tried to recover alleged welfare rorts.
A NEW KYRGIOS
Nick Kyrgios went down in one hell of a fight against Rafael Nadal, forcing the world number one into a tight fourth set marked by an edge-of-your-seat tiebreak.
Nadal won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4) after three hours and 38 minutes on the court, and will now go on to play fifth seed Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals, the ABC reports.
Kyrgios — who went into the Australian Open pledging to donate $200 per ace to bushfire relief — paid tribute to Kobe Byrant after the match, and spoke of his personal growth throughout the tournament, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Business is business and politics is politics. David Hutchinson
On joining political “rival” Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy group as a property consultant, Queensland’s Liberal National Party president splits a few largely-theoretical hairs ($).
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Yolngu Elder did not author letter [attributed to him in a column published by Newscorp columnist Andrew Bolt]
Barilaro hits out at federal threat to take over river planning
Bridget McKenzie sports rorts: $1m in grants rushed to shooting clubs ($)
Ex-director of controversial security company Paladin willing to tell all
Treasurer considers axing commission loophole for listed funds ($)
‘Cutting edge’ $500,000 treatment for aggressive blood cancers
Prison officer at Ravenhall Correctional Centre suspended over cruelty claim ($)
Cost of elections to hit councils hard after bushfires
Crackdown targets protection visa scam ($)
Australia warned it must expand plastic recycling by up to 400 per cent
Grammy awards 2020: Billie Eilish wins big, Kobe Bryant tributes pour in
THE COMMENTARIAT
Toxic patriotism is not the answer, change is — Luke Pearson (IndigenousX):”Some people have struggled to see a connection between Australia Day and the current concerns over Australia’s refusal to embrace climate change. The last Guardian article I wrote was met with countless people failing to understand how I could draw a connection to the colonial experiment that is Australia and the current situations that we find ourselves in. For me however, they are intrinsically linked.”
It’s only natural we have affordable gas ($) — Adam Creighton (The Australian): “It’s dreadful the extent to which we’ve sacrificed cheap energy, one of our key economic advantages. Unprecedented increases in electricity and gas prices during the past two decades have all but snuffed out any prospect for a thriving manufacturing sector, for instance, which has shrunk faster than that of any other rich country.”
How can a woman who supports a convicted male paedophile be rewarded? — Jenna Price (The Sydney Morning Herald): “The decision to appoint Bettina Arndt a member of the Order of Australia for “significant service to the community as a social commentator, and to gender equity through advocacy for men” demeans the awards and degrades the concept of rewarding those who work in the public interest. Worse, it makes clear these awards are not based on merit.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Melbourne
Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will present “The Assault on Truth and Accountability in Federal Politics” at the Wheeler Centre.
Education Minister James Merlino will visit Leongatha Children’s Centre to celebrate the first day of funded three-year-old kindergarten in the state’s history.
Sydney
The Australian’s Paul Kelly will help launch former chief economist Andrew Stone’s book Restoring Hope: Practical Policies to Revitalise the Australian Economy, at the Centre for Independent Studies, to be followed by a panel discussion with Tony Abbott and CIS executive director Tom Switzer.
Adelaide
Royal Automobile Association patrol workers will attend a stop-work meeting over a new enterprise agreement.
The “greenest” school in South Australia, the McAuley Community School at Hove, will open with a coveted 6-star green rating issued by the Green Building Council Australia.
Orange, NSW
Scott Morrison will attend the first official meeting of the drought and flood advisory board.
Australia


crikey--2020-05-22--South Australia: Social distancing updates, school, work, what's open

Here is the latest on coronavirus social distancing rules in South Australia .
This article will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed .
Social distancing in South Australia began to ease on May 11 with indoor and outdoor dining being reintroduced for up to 10 patrons .
From May 22 , the further easing of these restrictions has meant that 20 patrons will be allowed to attend cafes and restaurants , 10 patrons indoors and 10 patrons outdoors .
Here is the latest update on : • What are the fines if you don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were no restrictions on leaving the home to date , and the two-person rule was not enforceable with fines only being issued to persons gathering in groups of 10 or more .
However , it is compulsory to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from those around you , and people aged over 70 were told to isolate wherever possible .
People aged over 60 with pre-existing health conditions and Indigenous people over 50 have also been urged to stay at home .
Premier Steven Marshall says the goal is to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely as possible .
As it stands , there are reports that restrictions on funerals and regional travel will be the first to be modified early next week .
While there were no strict or law-binding restrictions on individuals leaving the home , South Australians were urged to only leave the home when necessary and not to gather in groups of more than 10 people .
South Australian schools returned to face-to-face teaching at the beginning of term two .
Attendance in South Australian schools has now reached 70 % and it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual ” in the next three weeks .
The government has committed $ 10 million to extra school cleaning protocols .
In South Australia , the workforce is urged to continue working from home , where remote work is possible .
Where remote work is not possible , workers are still allowed to attend offices , factories or construction sites , even if there are more than 10 people present in these workspaces .
Read : When will offices reopen ?
The end of WFH There are no travel restrictions within South Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you are travelling interstate , there are border control checkpoints operating throughout South Australia .
Travellers will be questioned on their travel plans , and police officers are patrolling both main roads and quieter roads .
Non-essential travellers will still be able to enter South Australia but will be required to • self-quarantine at that location for 14 days .
South Australian police have the right to carry out periodic spot checks on those who have travelled interstate to ensure they are self-isolating .
What are the fines if you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers can issue fines of $ 1,000 to those who are gathering in groups of more than 10 people .
Read : Coronavirus statistics | When will the lockdown end ?

Social distancing in South Australia began to ease on May 11 with indoor and outdoor dining being reintroduced for up to 10 patrons. From May 22, the further easing of these restrictions has meant that 20 patrons will be allowed to attend cafes and restaurants, 10 patrons indoors and 10 patrons outdoors.
Here is the latest update on:
Social distancing in South Australia
Education
Work
Travel
What’s open?
What are the fines if you don’t follow the rules?
(This article will be updated as new changes are implemented to keep you informed.)


crikey--2020-05-22--Northern Territory: Social distancing, work, travel, education, what's open?

Here is the latest on coronavirus social distancing rules in the Northern Territory .
This article will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed .
Social distancing in Northern Territory has been eased since May 1 .
As of May 15 , restrictions have been eased further with more businesses re-opening and residents of Northern Territory being able to enjoy much more of the activities they used to .
Here is the latest update on : • What are the fines if you don ’ t follow the rules ?
While safe social distancing has always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people who could gather in a social environment has also always been higher than other states and territories .
The Northern Territory originally had a 10-person rule in place .
Since May 8 , this rule has been lifted to allow for an unlimited number of people to attend weddings and funerals , while adhering to social distancing rules .
The region is now in stage one of the three-part plan to bring Northern Territory back to ‘ normal ’ , or as close to normal as we once knew it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following : • Exercise outdoors with other people , such as doing yoga and boot camps • Participate in non-contact , non-collision outdoor sports such as athletics , golf , tennis , swimming , shooting , archery , badminton , geocaching , paddling and lawn bowls .
( Note : you can not use a clubhouse facility to consume food or drink ) • Meet up with people in outdoor areas , including gatherings such as markets , weddings and funerals • Visit parks and reserves , including campgrounds that are accessible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter a restricted area biosecurity zone • Swim in a lagoon at the waterfront , rivers and natural pools outside the biosecurity zones • Go fishing , boating , sailing with other people • Attend a public swimming pool , water park or recreational lake for swimming or water sports • Have visitors to your home From May 15 , North Territory residents have been allowed to : • Serve and consume food or beverages in a shopping centre food court .
• Operate and attend a bar , sports or RSL club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food ) , excluding gaming activities ; • Participate in organised training activities for sporting clubs and teams ; • Operate or attend a beauty therapy salon for ( non-facial ) services , such as nails , massage and tanning ; • Operate or attend a studio that provides yoga , Pilates , Zumba , barre , dance classes ; • Operate or attend physical training activities indoors such as Cross Fit .
• Operate and attend a place used for religious worship ; and All students have been expected to attend face-to-face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , all businesses will be allowed to reopen under the condition that they have a COVID-19 plan in place .
Remote Indigenous communities currently have protections in place to stop non-essential visitors from crossing into these areas .
These restrictions will be assessed on June 18 .
Strict border controls are still in place on all access points to the Northern Territory , including road , rail , air and sea .
People who are not eligible for an exemption will need to complete 14 days of self-quarantine on arriving in Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian Federal Police are manning border controls , and NT Police and public and environmental health officers will undertake quarantine compliance checks to ensure people are doing the right thing .
Fines will apply if you are not .
There are currently no plans in place to re-open borders , but NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said lifting those restrictions will be “ dead-last ” on the list .
• Cafes and restaurants , for takeaway only • Universities and TAFEs , although many have resorted to online lectures What are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules ?
There are penalties of up to $ 62,800 for failure to comply with the directions .
Read more about the Chief Health Officer Directions .
Read : Coronavirus statistics | When will the lockdown end ?

Social distancing in Northern Territory has been eased since May 1. As of May 15, restrictions have been eased further with more businesses re-opening and residents of Northern Territory being able to enjoy much more of the activities they used to.
Here is the latest update on:
Social distancing in Northern Territory
Education
Work
Travel
What’s open?
What are the fines if you don’t follow the rules?
(This article will be updated as new changes are implemented to keep you informed.)


crikey--2020-03-27--Corona curated: the best commentary from around the world

From the US ' testing fiasco to the privilege of social distancing , Crikey brings together the best writing about the coronavirus crisis .
The United States ’ testing fiasco , how COVID-19 could devastate poor countries , and the privilege of social distancing .
Crikey has brought together some of the best writing about the coronavirus crisis .
The testing fiasco was the original sin of America ’ s pandemic failure , the single flaw that undermined every other countermeasure .
If the country could have accurately tracked the spread of the virus , hospitals could have executed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment rooms , ordering extra supplies , tagging in personnel , or assigning specific facilities to deal with COVID-19 cases .
None of that happened .
How the Pandemic Will End The Atlantic Social distancing is practically impossible if you live in a crowded slum .
Hand-washing is hard if you have no running water .
Governments may tell people not to go out to work , but if that means their families will not eat , they will go out anyway .
If prevented , they may riot .
‘ I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Up north , people are good at masking their anguish .
But in Sicily , everything is always more theatrical , more epic .
They feel sorrow more deeply , more philosophically , because their worldview is a couple of centuries behind .
In Sicily , I realized , I ’ d see more of a visual sense of this tragedy.
’ The Eye of the Storm Vanity Fair Sending in the army to enforce the lockdown could be disastrous for South Africa .
It could act with impunity on the very people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
Many South Africans have a deep mistrust of the government over the neglect of its post-apartheid promise to improve their lives .
Africa ’ s COVID-19 lockdown — a death trap of another kind for the poor DW In spite of a puzzling unwillingness to roll out widespread testing , it had become clear that the virus was beginning to spread out of India ’ s hyper-globalized enclaves , and one state government after another had begun to impose curfews and lock-downs .
By the time Modi spoke on TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major restrictions in place .
It ’ s hard to smile and sound stoic when you feel like the world around you is falling to pieces .
We wonder how distance learning works for vulnerable students or those with no technology .
We wonder how we photocopy work to post if we are supposed to be staying at home .
Flicking over to “ distance learning ” isn ’ t as simple as it sounds .
Thanks for signing up We look forward to seeing you bright and early with your need-to-know talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm .
National borders were arbitrarily drawn during the colonial era and , for many communities living along these boundaries , they exist only in theory … As we saw in the West Africa Ebola outbreak — where the first case was recorded in Guinea before spreading to Liberia and Sierra Leone — and the cholera outbreaks that began in Zimbabwe before spreading to South Africa , Botswana and Mozambique , diseases can easily spread across these essentially imaginary lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , social distancing is a privilege few can afford Al Jazeera The main reason for the quick spread through Spain may be completely mundane .
It has been an unusually mild , sunny spring .
In late February and early March , with temperatures above 20C ( 68F ) , Madrid ’ s pavement cafes and bars were heaving with happy folk , doing what Madrileños like best — being sociable .
That means hugging , kissing and animated chatter just a few inches from someone else ’ s face .
How did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The Guardian Amazon workers at Shakopee , many of them immigrants from East Africa , are some of the most organized and militant workers in the Amazon empire .
They have staged strikes and protests in recent months , demanding more humane working conditions and better safety protections .
The virus has placed those concerns in sharp relief .
‘ I Have to Feed My Family ’ Dissent

The United States’ testing fiasco, how COVID-19 could devastate poor countries, and the privilege of social distancing. Crikey has brought together some of the best writing about the coronavirus crisis.
The testing fiasco was the original sin of America’s pandemic failure, the single flaw that undermined every other countermeasure. If the country could have accurately tracked the spread of the virus, hospitals could have executed their pandemic plans, girding themselves by allocating treatment rooms, ordering extra supplies, tagging in personnel, or assigning specific facilities to deal with COVID-19 cases. None of that happened.


crikey--2020-04-14--Are we seeding a flu crisis later in the year? Looks like we might be

People have been flocking to get their flu vaccination early this year .
But our resident GP wonders if that 's the right approach .
Our influenza vaccination clinics have gone nuts .
At a recent one we administered over 70 flu shots to young and old , to sick and healthy alike .
Not surprisingly , stocks are low , but still the people flock in .
Demand has been unprecedented ( sorry , promise I ’ ll never use that word again ) .
Last year people were told to wait until later in the season before being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around August/September , and we know that immunity from the vaccine can fade after a few months .
So vaccinating in , say , April , risked leaving people vulnerable four to five months later .
This year the advice has been different — we ’ ve been telling people to get in early .
COVID-19 is bad enough .
COVID 19 plus flu could be much worse .
Hence the flocks Call me sheepish , but I have a nasty feeling we may have got this one all wrong .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
It seems to be working , with the curve bending or flattening or anyway doing something more desirable than shooting straight up .
And this is with a virus that is already here , and is more infectious than the flu .
If social distancing works for something as easily spread as COVID-19 , it is going to be even more effective with a less infectious agent like the flu virus .
This was shown in the 1918 flu epidemic , when one of the most effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was social distancing .
There are already indications this is happening .
January and February had higher numbers of flu cases than average years , but the curve is showing early signs of flattening and even dropping .
In other words , the societal measures we are taking for COVID-19 are at least as effective at reducing the flu risk .
Yet we are vaccinating the hordes at a time that , I now believe , may be the least necessary .
My worst-case scenario ?
September arrives , COVID-19 is relatively contained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The flu virus emerges , immunity from vaccination five months previously has waned and we now have a flu crisis .
COVID-19 has so far killed under 100 Australians .
In the nasty flu outbreak of 2017 , 1255 died .
As the photo below shows , the other day I bravely went for my flu shot .
I ’ m beginning to wish I ’ d waited .
One possible solution would be a booster round of flu shots in a few months ’ time , but is the government really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not , even if we could persuade people to roll up their sleeves a second time around .
So amidst the hysteria of patients wanting flu vaccination ASAP , I ’ m considering advising them to hasten slowly .
Social distancing is helping keep them safe now , vaccination will help keep them safer later .

Our influenza vaccination clinics have gone nuts. At a recent one we administered over 70 flu shots to young and old, to sick and healthy alike. Not surprisingly, stocks are low, but still the people flock in. Demand has been unprecedented (sorry, promise I’ll never use that word again).
Last year people were told to wait until later in the season before being vaccinated. The flu season often peaks around August/September, and we know that immunity from the vaccine can fade after a few months. So vaccinating in, say, April, risked leaving people vulnerable four to five months later.
This year the advice has been different — we’ve been telling people to get in early. COVID-19 is bad enough. COVID 19 plus flu could be much worse. Hence the flocks


crikey--2020-03-03--Here's what Greg Hunt can do to you in the name of the virus

The Biosecurity Act grants the government a suite of extreme powers to do things that could never be done lawfully @ @ @ @ @ never accept — in any other context It ’ s never real until it affects @ @ @ @ @ was a panicked stampede for toilet paper and I ’ m wondering whether my domestic @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve had to do something really traumatic : I ’ ve read the @ @ @ @ @ global pandemic of COVID-19 is likely to give us a taste of some absolutely dead @ @ @ @ @ think our security agencies and police forces have been given way too much discretionary power @ @ @ @ @ 9/11 ?
( That was a rhetorical question . )

It’s never real until it affects you. First, there was a panicked stampede for toilet paper and I’m wondering whether my domestic stockpile will suffice.
Now I’ve had to do something really traumatic: I’ve read the Biosecurity Act.
The impending global pandemic of COVID-19 is likely to give us a taste of some absolutely dead serious police-state treatment. You think our security agencies and police forces have been given way too much discretionary power to infringe civil rights since 9/11? (That was a rhetorical question.)


crikey--2020-03-02--The West spirals as coronavirus reveals the perils of globalisation

Globalisation has turned the planet into a giant petri dish .
Viruses now run the joint , we just live @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's closing time in Italy , China remains on lockdown , there 's @ @ @ @ @ there 's a second death in the US , the shelves are emptying of essential @ @ @ @ @ tanking ... My it all comes down pretty quick , does n't it ?
We @ @ @ @ @ 's happened , but here it is .
Maybe not the plague , maybe not @ @ @ @ @ , but here it is anyway .
SARS , MERS , COVID-19 .

It’s closing time in Italy, China remains on lockdown, there’s a case in Tasmania, there’s a second death in the US, the shelves are emptying of essential supplies, the stock-market is tanking…
My it all comes down pretty quick, doesn’t it?
We can’t quite believe it’s happened, but here it is. Maybe not the plague, maybe not even ’70s swine flu redux, but here it is anyway. SARS, MERS, COVID-19.


crikey--2020-05-11--When will offices reopen? When will work from home end?

We have heard reports of schools opening and the steps that will need to be taken to ensure a safe learning environment , but what about work ?
When will offices reopen ?
When will working from home end ?
According to reports , offices will be reopening across Australia in the coming weeks following the coronavirus lockdowns .
However , answering the question , “ When will work from home end ?
” isn ’ t as easy to answer , as it depends on a number of variables .
When will offices reopen in Australia ?
The date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to see the re-opening of offices in the coming weeks .
Schools across Australia are likely to reopen before most offices do , due to the evidence there is minimal COVID-19 transmission between children .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is urging Australian employers and employees to start having conversations about a return to working from the office .
Over the next few months , different industries will be opening in two waves .
The first wave will be a return to the office before a vaccine has been developed .
The second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices after a vaccine has come to fruition .
While offices will be re-opening , they are unlikely to resemble the workspaces we left in March 2020 .
Strict social distancing measures will be in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus .
This will mean offices will be much emptier , with strict spacing between desks and in some instances , there will be protective shields , cubicles in place , and empty isolated offices may be utilised where they were not before .
During stage one of the roadmap to recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working from home if they are in a position to do so .
Following a “ testing blitz ” that is in motion across Australia , an update on the working situation will be provided to Australians .
This update is likely to be delivered in June .
Morrison says reopening offices and sending people back to work is an essential move for the economy .
Meanwhile , Chief Health Officer Brendan Murphy says caution during this period is paramount to controlling , a somewhat inevitable , second wave of COVID-19 ; “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50,000 Australians a day if necessary so that we can be absolutely sure ” .
The National COVID-19 safe workplace principles are as follows : • All workers , regardless of their occupation or how they are engaged , have the right to a healthy and safe working environment • The COVID-19 pandemic requires a uniquely focused approach to work health and safety ( WHS ) as it applies to businesses , workers and others in the workplace • To keep our workplaces healthy and safe , businesses must , in consultation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way they work to identify , understand and quantify risks and to implement and review control measures to address those risks • As COVID-19 restrictions are gradually relaxed , businesses , workers and other duty holders must work together to adapt and promote safe work practices , consistent with advice from health authorities , to ensure their workplaces are ready for the social distancing and exemplary hygiene measures that will be an important part of the transition • Businesses and workers must actively control against the transmission of COVID-19 while at work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian Health Protection Principal Committee ( AHPPC ) , including considering the application of a hierarchy of appropriate controls where relevant • Businesses and workers must prepare for the possibility that there will be cases of COVID-19 in the workplace and be ready to respond immediately , appropriately , effectively and efficiently , and consistent with advice from health authorities • Existing state and territory jurisdiction of WHS compliance and enforcement remains critical .
While acknowledging individual variations across WHS laws mean approaches in different parts of the country may vary , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to a consistent national approach is key , including a commitment to communicating that constitutes best practice in prevention , mitigation and response to the risks presented by COVID-19 • Safe Work Australia ( SWA ) , through its tripartite membership , will provide a central hub of WHS guidance and tools that Australian workplaces can use to successfully form the basis of their management of health and safety risks posed by COVID-19 • States and territories ultimately have the role of providing advice , education , compliance and enforcement of WHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SWA central hub in fulfilling their statutory functions • The work of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission will complement the work of SWA , jurisdictions and health authorities to support industries more broadly to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic appropriately , effectively and safely .
When will work from home end ?
Working from home isn ’ t going anywhere fast and there is no set date for when working from home will end for many Australians .
Which staff will return to the office is also uncertain , but it is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is a necessity for them to be physically present in the office .
Those who can genuinely complete their daily tasks from a remote location can expect a longer working from home period .
Until a vaccine has been developed , with an ETA of 12-18 months , there is no protocol out there that will eliminate all risk of coronavirus transmission .
The more people that are in an office , even if social distancing is adhered to , the higher the risk of another outbreak .
Prepare to work from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if offices do reopen , you may not be part of the cohort returning right away .
It is also possible you may return to the office and then return to working from home as different workplaces and guidelines come into play , and a second wave of transmission is carefully monitored .
Read : Do people save more money if they work from home ?

When will offices reopen? When will working from home end?
According to reports, offices will be reopening across Australia in the coming weeks following the coronavirus lockdowns. However, answering the question, “When will work from home end?” isn’t as easy to answer, as it depends on a number of variables.
When will offices reopen in Australia?


When will this end?

States are expanding their COVID-19 testing criteria , and according to new modelling , if 90 % of us follow social distancing rules , life could reset come August .
UK Prime Minister , Boris Johnson has been admitted to ICU and Spain is set to roll out a UBI .
Victoria , Queensland , New South Wales and Western Australia yesterday widened testing criteria to members of hotspot areas and vulnerable people , The Australian ( $ ) reports , with criticisms emerging of the still-limited national criteria which translates — as Crikey unpacked yesterday — to per capita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Queensland will test symptomatic people in Brisbane , the Gold Coast , and Cairns , following 32 untraced cases in these regions ; • Victoria , conversely , will only expand state eligibility to those aged 65 and over , teachers , childcare workers , firefighters , and emergency medical experts ; • As The Sydney Morning Herald explains , NSW will expand testing to anyone with symptoms across Lake Macquarie , Manning , Woollahra , Waverley , Ryde , Macquarie Park , Dee Why , Manly , Nowra , South Nowra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macquarie , Broken Hill and — via a drive-through car park-turned-testing clinic — Bondi Beach ; and • Western Australia announced a new clinic will open at Broome Hospital on Wednesday , to be accessible to anyone in the Kimberley with either a fever of or above 38 degrees or an acute respiratory infection .
According to The Sydney Morning Herald , Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter has reached an in-principle agreement with the ACTU to temporarily expand employer flexibility under the Fair Work Act — apparently required to pay the minimum $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or EBAs — while ensuring unions can seek arbitration at the Fair Work Commission if a business weakens employee rights .
However , as The New Daily reports , the ACTU appears set to lose out on expanding JobKeeper to the roughly one million casual workers who do not meet the 12-month service rule , with Porter refusing to budge and Labor supporting the expansion but unwilling to vote against the entire package if it is not included .
FOES UNITED : The news follows daily crisis meetings between Porter and Secretary Sally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the mining industry ’ s call to slash awards ( $ ) and wow , yeah , I guess this kind of is the end of the world ?
ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET ?
While modelling or advice can not be taken as entirely predictive , The Guardian ( $ ) reports that new data from the Centre for Complex Systems at Sydney University finds that if 90 % of Australians maintain social distancing rules , coronavirus cases could peak in mid-April and reduce to almost zero new cases by July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing and up to four weeks of social distancing after the last known person had recovered , lest the curve ramp back up again .
Either way — as national cabinet prepares to release modelling behind policy decisions today — we should prepare to settle in .
NSW ’ s restriction of movement laws , to take the worst-hit state as an example , will last until June 30 .
WHAT OF THE OTHER AUSTR-IA ?
Over in Austria , Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced last night that the country will likely loosen three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as next Tuesday 14 April , with Reuters reporting that social distancing measures would remain and a country-wide mask requirements expanded .
Early this morning , UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to an intensive care unit after his condition worsened over the course of Monday .
According to The Guardian ’ s live-blog , Johnson is conscious and has been moved as a precaution in case he needs ventilation .
According to Bloomberg , Spain ’ s Economy Minister Nadia Calvino has announced the country will not only look to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as possible but that the government plans for the UBI to become an instrument “ that stays forever ” .
The rollout of a UBI — which is distinct from other welfare measures in that all citizens would receive a flat living wage regardless of employment , income , or assets — would be historic , as Wired explains , with parties in the US , UK , and Italy all proposing and failing to implement something similar amid the crisis .
FUN FACT : While Wired claims Spain would be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Iran , as Business Insider explains , introduced a scheme in 2010 .
Further , no one stopped working because of it ?
Finally , as ABC reports , the High Court ruling on George Pell ’ s appeal against child sex abuse convictions will be handed down today in a virtual vacuum , with the four possible outcomes being : • Special leave to appeal is rejected , leaving Pell in prison ; • Special leave to appeal is granted but the appeal dismissed and Pell remains in prison ; • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the appeal allowed , resulting in Pell ’ s immediate release ; or • Special leave to appeal is granted and the appeal is remitted back to the Court of Appeal to be re-examined by three new judges , allowing Pell to apply for bail .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Barbados ’ Minister of Health and Wellness is forced to explain to citizens that , while the country does not have an equipment shortage , 20 donated ventilators had been expropriated by America .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Qantas to use Jobkeeper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding up well ’ as coronavirus causes internet traffic surge , ACCC says Virus crisis crackdown : All Territory FIFO workers to have detailed COVID-19 plan Returning Qantas crew members tested positive for coronavirus but were exempt from quarantine Gold Coast beaches shut down after Queensland ’ s weekend of insolence Lack of PPE forces Aboriginal health groups to stop testing for coronavirus Four arrested for shooting at mosque in Gurgaon ’ s Dhankot village Will the modelling tell us if we are getting the fight against COVID-19 right ?
Probably not — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Health experts have done a lot of disagreeing lately about COVID-19 .
Some have argued for stage 4 lockdowns , others have argued for gentler social restrictions .
Their disagreements are often pitted in the media as the ‘ right advice ’ versus the “ wrong advice ” .
However , should we really be concerned when experts disagree ?
” Coronavirus : Take as directed for fast , effective relief — Judith Sloan ( The Australian ) : “ Economists are having to get used to playing a different role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pontificating about the merits and drawbacks of particular policy interventions in the context of relatively normal economic conditions , this approach is no longer viable or useful.
” On working for Murdoch in 2020 — Patrick Marlborough ( Rolling Stone ) : “ I do not have the undeniable smarts of the anonymous The Australian ’ s ‘ Mocker ’ or the unfiltered genius of someone who suffered a major brain injury after falling off a balcony , but I have to say that working for News Corp in 2020 should cause one @ @ @ @ @ @ @

TESTING, TESTING, 1, 2, 3
Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia yesterday widened testing criteria to members of hotspot areas and vulnerable people, The Australian ($) reports, with criticisms emerging of the still-limited national criteria which translates — as Crikey unpacked yesterday — to per capita testing rates of just 1.1%.
However, new state measures vary significantly:
Queensland will test symptomatic people in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Cairns, following 32 untraced cases in these regions;
Victoria, conversely, will only expand state eligibility to those aged 65 and over, teachers, childcare workers, firefighters, and emergency medical experts;
As The Sydney Morning Herald explains, NSW will expand testing to anyone with symptoms across Lake Macquarie, Manning, Woollahra, Waverley, Ryde, Macquarie Park, Dee Why, Manly, Nowra, South Nowra, the Byron Bay area, Port Macquarie, Broken Hill and — via a drive-through car park-turned-testing clinic — Bondi Beach; and
Western Australia announced a new clinic will open at Broome Hospital on Wednesday, to be accessible to anyone in the Kimberley with either a fever of or above 38 degrees or an acute respiratory infection.
CASUAL WORKERS AT RISK
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter has reached an in-principle agreement with the ACTU to temporarily expand employer flexibility under the Fair Work Act — apparently required to pay the minimum $1,500 JobKeeper subsidy without breaching current awards or EBAs — while ensuring unions can seek arbitration at the Fair Work Commission if a business weakens employee rights.
However, as The New Daily reports, the ACTU appears set to lose out on expanding JobKeeper to the roughly one million casual workers who do not meet the 12-month service rule, with Porter refusing to budge and Labor supporting the expansion but unwilling to vote against the entire package if it is not included.
FOES UNITED: The news follows daily crisis meetings between Porter and Secretary Sally McManus, with the two even uniting against the mining industry’s call to slash awards($) and wow, yeah, I guess this kind of is the end of the world?
ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET?
While modelling or advice cannot be taken as entirely predictive, The Guardian ($) reports that new data from the Centre for Complex Systems at Sydney University finds that if 90% of Australians maintain social distancing rules, coronavirus cases could peak in mid-April and reduce to almost zero new cases by July.
This would still require widespread asymptomatic testing and up to four weeks of social distancing after the last known person had recovered, lest the curve ramp back up again. Either way — as national cabinet prepares to release modelling behind policy decisions today — we should prepare to settle in. NSW’s restriction of movement laws, to take the worst-hit state as an example, will last until June 30.
WHAT OF THE OTHER AUSTR-IA? Over in Austria, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced last night that the country will likely loosen three week lockdown measures on small shops as soon as next Tuesday 14 April, with Reuters reporting that social distancing measures would remain and a country-wide mask requirements expanded.
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BORIS JOHNSON IN ICU WITH COVID-19
Early this morning, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to an intensive care unit after his condition worsened over the course of Monday.
According to The Guardian’s live-blog, Johnson is conscious and has been moved as a precaution in case he needs ventilation.
SPAIN GETS A UBI
According to Bloomberg, Spain’s Economy Minister Nadia Calvino has announced the country will not only look to roll out a Universal Basic Income as soon as possible but that the government plans for the UBI to become an instrument “that stays forever”.
The rollout of a UBI — which is distinct from other welfare measures in that all citizens would receive a flat living wage regardless of employment, income, or assets — would be historic, as Wired explains, with parties in the US, UK, and Italy all proposing and failing to implement something similar amid the crisis.
FUN FACT: While Wired claims Spain would be the first country to implement a nation-wide UBI, Iran, as Business Insider explains, introduced a scheme in 2010. Further, no one stopped working because of it?
PELL FINDING AT 10AM
Finally, as ABC reports, the High Court ruling on George Pell’s appeal against child sex abuse convictions will be handed down today in a virtual vacuum, with the four possible outcomes being:
Special leave to appeal is rejected, leaving Pell in prison;
Special leave to appeal is granted but the appeal dismissed and Pell remains in prison;
Special leave to appeal is granted and the appeal allowed, resulting in Pell’s immediate release; or
Special leave to appeal is granted and the appeal is remitted back to the Court of Appeal to be re-examined by three new judges, allowing Pell to apply for bail.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
They were seized in the United States. Paid for, but seized, so we are trying to see exactly what is going to transpire there. Lieutenant Col Jeffrey Bostic
Barbados’ Minister of Health and Wellness is forced to explain to citizens that, while the country does not have an equipment shortage, 20 donated ventilators had been expropriated by America.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Government MPs accuse Constance of failing to disclose crucial Ruby Princess information
Qantas to use Jobkeeper to pay down annual leave
NBN ‘holding up well’ as coronavirus causes internet traffic surge, ACCC says
Virus crisis crackdown: All Territory FIFO workers to have detailed COVID-19 plan
Returning Qantas crew members tested positive for coronavirus but were exempt from quarantine
‘A mess’: Renters, landlords and agents face coronavirus quagmire
Gold Coast beaches shut down after Queensland’s weekend of insolence
Lack of PPE forces Aboriginal health groups to stop testing for coronavirus
Coronavirus NSW: Free hotels and parking for frontline healthcare workers
‘Morale boosting’ PPE worth millions arrives in Perth to protect frontline workers
Four arrested for shooting at mosque in Gurgaon’s Dhankot village
THE COMMENTARIAT
Will the modelling tell us if we are getting the fight against COVID-19 right? Probably not — Mahomed Patel (Sydney Morning Herald): “Health experts have done a lot of disagreeing lately about COVID-19. Some have argued for stage 4 lockdowns, others have argued for gentler social restrictions. Their disagreements are often pitted in the media as the ‘right advice’ versus the “wrong advice”. However, should we really be concerned when experts disagree?”
Coronavirus: Take as directed for fast, effective relief — Judith Sloan (The Australian): “Economists are having to get used to playing a different role in the present environment. Accustomed to pontificating about the merits and drawbacks of particular policy interventions in the context of relatively normal economic conditions, this approach is no longer viable or useful.”
On working for Murdoch in 2020 — Patrick Marlborough (Rolling Stone): “I do not have the undeniable smarts of the anonymous The Australian’s ‘Mocker’ or the unfiltered genius of someone who suffered a major brain injury after falling off a balcony, but I have to say that working for News Corp in 2020 should cause one to pause, and reflect.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-02-12--Worm: A vibrant, multicultural, racist society

Good morning , early birds .
Coronavirus-related discrimination has reached new highs ( or lows , really ) on both sides of the country , and in the past four years , fossil-fuel companies have increased their political donations two-fold .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
A Malaysian student has been evicted from a Perth sharehouse over fears of the coronavirus , the ABC reports , and , on the other side of the country , similar fears have forced Melbourne mainstay Chinatown ’ s Shark Fin House to shut due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
Meanwhile , The Guardian ’ s live-tracker ( seriously , there ’ s that much coronavirus news ) shows a cruise ship turned away from five countries has finally been allowed to dock in Cambodia .
LEARN MORE : Check out The New Daily ‘ s WHO-certified , myth-busting coronavirus fact-check .
An Australian Conservation Foundation analysis of 2018-19 political donations found the fossil-fuel industry more than doubled its donations to the two major parties over the past four years — growing from $ 894,336 in 2015-16 to $ 1.9m , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on who gave what , check out Crikey ’ s guide .
TALKING POINT : According to research from the World Wide Fund for Nature , global heating could cost Australia $ 29 billion a year by 2050 under “ business as usual ” , The New Daily reports .
The French company responsible for building Australia ’ s $ 80 billion attack-class submarines , Naval Group , has warned local suppliers might not get half the value of the prized knock-on contracts , complained of the capability of those same companies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Defence , The Australian ( $ ) reports .
FUN FACT : When Googling for fun facts , I discovered every other article adds another billion dollars and a year to the construction timeline , and the deal has its own Wikipedia page .
Finally — because some people can not take ‘ no , you can not deport Indigenous Australians ’ for an answer — Attorney-General Christian Porter is looking at alternative powers to deport members of the small , select group of Indigenous Australians who do not hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months-plus jail-time , The Guardian reports .
HOT TAKE : This is disgusting .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
After inflating the proportion of fires started by arsonists by roughly 4000 % — the ABC has the “ deliberately lit ” figure at less than 1 % — the Liberal senator ratchets up the conspiracy theories by about the same .
READ ALL ABOUT IT ALP ’ s Otis Group pushes for turn to the right ( $ ) MPs take Assange freedom campaign to UK Push to oust Jackie Trad over fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To close the chasm leaving First Australians behind , hear our Voice — Thomas Mayor ( The Age ) : “ Woe and behold , imagine you are an Indigenous person observing the annual Closing the Gap speech .
Before you is a rich , powerful man who does not fall under the constitution ’ s race power as you do .
Rather , he wields his power with the Parliament he stands in.
” Greens ’ deal pie in sky ( $ ) — Innes Willox ( The Australian ) : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leaders of business groups calling for support for a local version of a New Green Deal to revive the Australian economy and reshape our industrial base.
” All eyes on Australia as World Urban Forum urges climate action — Barbara Norman ( The Conversation ) : “ The Australian bushfires have caught the world ’ s attention .
They dominated the speeches by global leaders at the World Urban Forum ( WUF10 ) in Abu Dhabi this week.
” • The sports rorts inquiry will hold its first hearing , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Former federal minister and Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner will speak with journalist Alex Sloan about his memoir Ten Doors Down at an ANU/Canberra Times event .
• The National Rural Health Alliance will host a morning event with MPs and senators to highlight the links between climate change and rural health .
• Academic William de Maria will launch his new book Trouble in the Land of Giving : Australian Charities , Fraud and the State at Reading Hawthorn .
• The Coalition of Everyone will host interactive panel “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Trades Hall , with speakers including former Victorian MP Lidia Thorpe .
• Day one of the two-day Refugee Alternatives Conference 2020 .
• The Lock the Gate Alliance will hold an anti-fracking protest outside Dumas House , after the McGowan government asked for public feedback on how fracking companies should manage stakeholder engagement .
• The Hydrogen Society of Australia will re-launch as a registered national not-for-profit , with speakers to include CSIRO hydrogen expert Dr Patrick Hartley , parliamentary secretary to the minister for water and science Chris Tallentire and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honey .
• Today is the 12th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations .

CORONAVIRUS-RELATED DISCRIMINATION
A Malaysian student has been evicted from a Perth sharehouse over fears of the coronavirus, the ABC reports, and, on the other side of the country, similar fears have forced Melbourne mainstay Chinatown’s Shark Fin House to shut due to a collapse in customers, The Age reports.
Meanwhile, The Guardian’s live-tracker (seriously, there’s that much coronavirus news) shows a cruise ship turned away from five countries has finally been allowed to dock in Cambodia.
LEARN MORE: Check out The New Daily‘s WHO-certified, myth-busting coronavirus fact-check.
THE COAL NINE YARDS
An Australian Conservation Foundation analysis of 2018-19 political donations found the fossil-fuel industry more than doubled its donations to the two major parties over the past four years — growing from $894,336 in 2015-16 to $1.9m, according to The Guardian. For more on who gave what, check out Crikey’s guide.
TALKING POINT: According to research from the World Wide Fund for Nature, global heating could cost Australia $29 billion a year by 2050 under “business as usual”, The New Daily reports.
NAVAL… TRAITORS… PIRATES! THEY’RE PIRATES!
The French company responsible for building Australia’s $80 billion attack-class submarines, Naval Group, has warned local suppliers might not get half the value of the prized knock-on contracts, complained of the capability of those same companies, and acknowledged “cultural problems” with the Department of Defence, The Australian ($) reports.
FUN FACT: When Googling for fun facts, I discovered every other article adds another billion dollars and a year to the construction timeline, and the deal has its own Wikipedia page.
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PORTER THE DEPORTER
Finally — because some people cannot take ‘no, you cannot deport Indigenous Australians’ for an answer — Attorney-General Christian Porter is looking at alternative powers to deport members of the small, select group of Indigenous Australians who do not hold citizenship and have served sentences of 12 months-plus jail-time, The Guardian reports.
HOT TAKE: This is disgusting.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Extreme activism and perhaps ‘eco-terrorism’? With satellite data showing 87% of Australian bushfires man-made (40% deliberately lit), it’s time to use communications meta-data in the investigation of arsonists. Are they lone actors or part of a sinister collective? Concetta Fierravanti-Wells
After inflating the proportion of fires started by arsonists by roughly 4000% — the ABC has the “deliberately lit” figure at less than 1% — the Liberal senator ratchets up the conspiracy theories by about the same.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Pauline Hanson stymies bid to hobble Mathias Cormann
Age discrimination is Australia’s biggest barrier to opportunity: Report
Ambitious plan to end breast cancer deaths by 2030 unveiled ($)
ALP’s Otis Group pushes for turn to the right ($)
MPs take Assange freedom campaign to UK
Victorian health department ignored medical guidelines on opioid scripts
Push to oust Jackie Trad over fears of Queensland election defeat ($)
‘It’s heartbreaking’: storms cause devastating erosion at Newcastle’s Stockton beach
AFL men may help AFLW pay push
New document reveals PNG minister’s link to $US10.3m payment ($)
THE COMMENTARIAT
To close the chasm leaving First Australians behind, hear our Voice — Thomas Mayor (The Age): “Woe and behold, imagine you are an Indigenous person observing the annual Closing the Gap speech. Before you is a rich, powerful man who does not fall under the constitution’s race power as you do. Rather, he wields his power with the Parliament he stands in.”
Greens’ deal pie in sky ($) — Innes Willox (The Australian): “Greens leader Adam Bandt wrote this week to leaders of business groups calling for support for a local version of a New Green Deal to revive the Australian economy and reshape our industrial base.”
All eyes on Australia as World Urban Forum urges climate action — Barbara Norman (The Conversation): “The Australian bushfires have caught the world’s attention. They dominated the speeches by global leaders at the World Urban Forum (WUF10) in Abu Dhabi this week.”
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WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The sports rorts inquiry will hold its first hearing, with the Auditor-General’s Office expected to attend.
Former federal minister and Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner will speak with journalist Alex Sloan about his memoir Ten Doors Down at an ANU/Canberra Times event.
The National Rural Health Alliance will host a morning event with MPs and senators to highlight the links between climate change and rural health.
Melbourne
Academic William de Maria will launch his new book Trouble in the Land of Giving: Australian Charities, Fraud and the State at Reading Hawthorn.
The Coalition of Everyone will host interactive panel “Democracy is not a spectator sport” at Trades Hall, with speakers including former Victorian MP Lidia Thorpe.
Brisbane
Day one of the two-day Refugee Alternatives Conference 2020.
Perth
The Lock the Gate Alliance will hold an anti-fracking protest outside Dumas House, after the McGowan government asked for public feedback on how fracking companies should manage stakeholder engagement.
The Hydrogen Society of Australia will re-launch as a registered national not-for-profit, with speakers to include CSIRO hydrogen expert Dr Patrick Hartley, parliamentary secretary to the minister for water and science Chris Tallentire and Shadow Minister for Water Dr David John Honey.
Australia


crikey--2020-04-13--Nine v News Corp sports punch-up is recasting the media landscape

As debate rages over when live sport can safely return , the NRL finds itself caught in the middle of the latest battle in the Australian media wars .
Not for the first time , rugby league has tumbled headfirst into the centre of Australia ’ s media wars , and found itself a key talking point in the country ’ s open-or-shut public health debate .
In the short term , it ’ s given us the Easter spectacle of the Peter Costello-chaired Nine going all Occupy Wall Street over the NRL ’ s executive pay .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a window into what looks like being a more challenging ( and probably poorer ) professional sports sector as so-called over-the-top streaming weakens free-to-air television .
As advertising has collapsed , Nine wants broadcast sport to stay shut — and for the broadcast rights to be cheaper in the future .
On the other hand , Foxtel needs sport to anchor its falling pay TV audience and to pull off its diversification into sports streaming through Kayo .
Both are hard-headed calculations for companies struggling to survive the COVID-19 shock , reflecting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media .
Rugby league fans have been watching this bubbling along since late March , thrilling at the pot-shots from the trenches by Nine columnists and commentators , while mourning the game ’ s absence with the writers at News Corp .
Meanwhile , News Corp has been continuing its campaign against Rugby Union ( and CEO Raelene Castle ) over the code ’ s decision to explore broadcast and digital rights beyond the Foxtel offering .
Union ’ s sin is to be tempted more by , say , the $ 63 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English Premier League to stream games , rather than the mid- $ 30 million that Foxtel is reported to be offering for broadcast rights .
( “ Gluttony ” according to Alan Jones in his Easter message in The Weekend Australian .
“ Rah Rah Rabble ” huffed The Sunday Telegraph . )
On Thursday morning , Nine blew the NRL fight into the open , attacking the code for mismanagement with a “ bloated ” head office .
The NRL responded that afternoon by announcing a targeted resume date of May 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Sunday Telegraph ) .
Over the weekend , the two companies took to the fight as though from parallel universes .
In a battle of the Phils , Phil “ Gus ” Gould wrote in Nine ’ s Sun-Herald that Nine ’ s intervention was “ timely and appropriate ” .
Phil “ Buzz ” Rothfield countered in the next day ’ s Telegraph that Nine was “ trying to kick rugby league while it ’ s down ” .
Who needs the players when the fight over the game provides more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart lies a deeper threat .
Nine is trying to pivot away from “ the home of sport ” that Kerry Packer embedded into its DNA .
Case in point : the end of a 40-year connection with cricket in 2018 when the company declined to match a boosted Seven-Foxtel offer .
Free-to-airs expect sports rights to pay for themselves , taking value from the halo effect of ratings wins and the confidence that the sports audiences will stick around for the rest of the schedule .
Now , Nine seems to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nine says it ’ s already saved this year ’ s rights payment in its “ Operational Initiatives ” advice to the Australian Stock Exchange on March 30 .
At $ 130 million , that ’ s about half of all the savings it ’ s identified .
To put it in perspective , on its own , it ’ s more than 10 % of their annual pre-COVID-19 revenues .
If the NRL season resumes without the advertising it would normally bring , Nine will need to find those savings elsewhere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ highs .
The increased competition for our eyeballs — streaming services , pay TV and free-to air — has pushed up prices as new entrants try to get a foothold , and old players try desperately to hang on .
Inevitably , AFL-dominated media will dismiss the story with a “ that ’ s rugby league ” shrug as the ABC ’ s Offsiders did on Sunday morning .
But both rugby codes suggest that broadcast deals have peaked .
Sports will need to better exploit streaming and digital options — perhaps in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with less .
We ’ ve been here before .
The Murdoch-Packer fight over the code in the 1990s Super League wars set the guardrails for all sports in handling the introduction of pay television in Australia .
Equally , the current battle will shape the role of professional sport in the post-COVID-19 streaming-dominated media landscape .

Not for the first time, rugby league has tumbled headfirst into the centre of Australia’s media wars, and found itself a key talking point in the country’s open-or-shut public health debate.
In the short term, it’s given us the Easter spectacle of the Peter Costello-chaired Nine going all Occupy Wall Street over the NRL’s executive pay. In the longer term, it’s opened a window into what looks like being a more challenging (and probably poorer) professional sports sector as so-called over-the-top streaming weakens free-to-air television.
As advertising has collapsed, Nine wants broadcast sport to stay shut — and for the broadcast rights to be cheaper in the future. On the other hand, Foxtel needs sport to anchor its falling pay TV audience and to pull off its diversification into sports streaming through Kayo.


crikey--2020-04-29--Will COVID-19 be our public health wakeup call?

While Australia 's COVID-19 death rate may be comparably low , the impact and spread of the disease points to flaws in our public health .
There have been 88 COVID-19 deaths in Australia : Impressive in international comparisons , but still a terrible toll .
Coronavirus fatality and severity is not only linked to age but underlying health conditions .
Australia is not a healthy country : Around half of all Australians suffer from a chronic disease , while two-thirds of us are overweight or obese .
COVID-19 isn ’ t going to be our last pandemic .
Poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that bill rises during a pandemic .
Crikey takes a look at those whose health is most affected by COVID-19 , and asks whether this will be our public health wakeup call .
Gender : While there are more or less equal rates of infection and hospitalisation among men and women , men make up more fatalities .
Of the 88 people who died in Australia , 49 were men and 32 were women ( seven genders were unknown ) .
According to the latest epidemiological report , men make up 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 3:2 .
Age : The median age of all COVID-19 cases was 48 , with children under 10 making up less than 1 % of cases .
Cruise ships : Cruise ship infections accounted for 42 % of all cases in the 70-79 year age group .
The Ruby Princess cruise ship has been linked to more than 600 infections and 21 deaths .
Nursing homes : 11 deaths were linked to Newmarch House nursing home , with a further six at Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility , both in NSW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : This group represents less than 1 % of all Australian cases , with 10 % of cases admitted to hospital .
There have been no reported death or ICU admissions .
Underlying health conditions play a massive role in coronavirus severity and susceptibility — while those with cardiac disease made up 9 % of coronavirus cases , they made up 22 % of ICU admissions .
More than a quarter of hospitalised coronavirus patients were obese , while 30 % were diabetic .
One of the major underlying conditions in severe COVID-29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to three critical illnesses : Low lung capacity , diabetes , and high blood pressure , Professor Nikolai Petrovsky at Flinders University ’ s College of Medicine and Public Health told Crikey .
“ With any respiratory infection , obese people are at higher risk of needing ventilation , ” he said .
“ We saw this during swine flu.
” Large amounts of abdominal fat push up the diaphragm , squishing the lungs .
“ In obese people , their lung capacity is smaller — sometimes half , ” Petrovsky said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pneumonia , common in COVID-19 patients .
The second illness is diabetes .
Type 2 diabetes is strongly correlated with obesity .
“ High sugar levels suppress the immune system , which is why diabetics sometimes get foot infections and gangrene , ” Petrovsky said .
Diabetic patients are at greater risk of not only developing a severe case of COVID-19 but also developing a secondary infection .
Third , and unique to COVID-19 , is blood pressure .
Half of the patients who died in Wuhan had a history of high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t seen this with previous infections — it was a surprising factor , ” Petrovsky said .
The theory is the coronavirus enters via the ACE-2 protein receptor .
Hypertension medication encourages the growth of this receptor .
Will this be a wakeup call ?
Unfortunately , Petrovsky said , most of this isn ’ t new information .
“ We spend tens of billions every year to manage complications from obesity … it ’ s not that we ’ ve not been paying attention , ” he said .
Unfortunately , bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obesity is like smoking , once people start [ the habit ] , it ’ s hard to get them to stop , ” Petrovsky said .
The solution is to educate children on healthy habits .
“ We have to start in infancy , teach children how to eat healthily , maintain good body weight , and exercise.
” To get kids exercising , Petrovsky said we need to throw away gaming consoles .
“ Or , at least educate them to use these devices in a more controlled fashion , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professor of health equity at Australian National University ’ s Menzies Centre for Health Governance , told Crikey a more holistic approach was needed .
“ What COVID-19 shines a light on is the fragility of our health system and the disconnect within it , ” she said .
“ There are common drivers of health and disease — obesity and diabetes are strongly connected but often treated quite separately.
” She said a people-focused approach in the health system would better treat the causes behind illnesses .
As health habits are formed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to go beyond healthcare .
“ Money , a quality job , security and long-term , equitable education — all of this matters for physical and mental health , ” Friel said .
She pointed to public policy actions , including JobSeeker payments and rental support as positive steps to improve public health .
“ We shouldn ’ t snap back to the way it was .
Keeping these protections in place in health , education and housing , will reduce economic and health costs in the long run , ” Friel @ @

There have been 88 COVID-19 deaths in Australia: Impressive in international comparisons, but still a terrible toll.
Coronavirus fatality and severity is not only linked to age but underlying health conditions. Australia is not a healthy country: Around half of all Australians suffer from a chronic disease, while two-thirds of us are overweight or obese.
COVID-19 isn’t going to be our last pandemic. Poor public health costs the country billions, and that bill rises during a pandemic. Crikey takes a look at those whose health is most affected by COVID-19, and asks whether this will be our public health wakeup call.


crikey--2020-06-09--Worm: Oh good, Trump's got an Antifa conspiracy theory

Good morning , early birds .
Donald Trump has put forward a conspiracy theory about the 75-year-old protester who was shoved and ignored by police , and The Australian reports that Black Lives Matter Protests are likely going to prompt cabinet to delay accelerated easing of COVID-19 restrictions .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods After footage went viral of New York police shoving 75-year-old peaceful protester Martin Gugino and then ignoring him as he lay on the ground bleeding from his ear , CNN unpacks how Donald Trump has attempted to chum the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gugino was an “ Antifa provocateur ” .
As George Floyd ’ s funeral begins today in Houston , here are a few more updates on why thousands continue to march : • Bay Area police have fired multiple rounds at an Oakland couple in their car , killing both black man Erik Salgado and his pregnant girlfriend ’ s unborn baby .
BA police also killed San Fransisco man Sean Monterossa , who was kneeling with his hands raised .
• Amidst mass arrests , Phoenix police have turned over at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Minnesota cops have been filmed slashing the tyres of protesters , news crews and medical workers .
• A man charged with intentionally driving his car into a group of protesters in Richmond , Virginia , has been identified as the head of the state ’ s Ku Klux Klan .
• Unidentified San Diego law enforcement agents have been filmed arresting a female protester , putting her in an unmarked minivan , and threatening to shoot anyone who follows .
There is , however , another victory of sorts for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of the facial recognition business .
NATIONAL CABINET LIKELY TO DELAY ACCELERATED LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS Announced with all the emphasis you ’ d expect from the national broadsheet , The Australian ( $ ) reports that concerns over last week ’ s Stop Black Deaths in Custody protests will see the national cabinet ditch their idea to bring recovery plans forward by at least a week , “ potentially costing the economy more than $ 1 billion and preventing tens of thousands of people getting back to work ” .
Elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morning Herald , Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has confirmed that community consultations on the proposed First Nations Voice to Parliament will progress this year , even if the pandemic has postponed plans for a referendum — potentially , until after the next election .
PS : While thousands may have turned up in Australia last weekend , a new Essential poll at The Guardian suggests 80 % of Australians believe US police forces have institutional racism , but only 30 % see the same in Australia .
Reminder : more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody since 1991 , and absolutely zero officers have been been convicted .
According to the AFR ( $ ) , Assistant Treasurer and Housing Minister Michael Sukkar will announce plans to defer $ 1 billion worth of forecast pay as you go ( PAYG ) tax receipts from businesses and high-income earners for the 2020-21 financial year on Wednesday “ to help them with cash flow during Covid-19 ” .
WHAT ISN ’ T BEING REPORTED TODAY ?
Despite that little drop in the Oz yesterday , the Coalition did not discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests in yesterday ’ s party room meeting , although Josh Frydenberg did , reportedly , condemn UK protesters for defacing a statue of Winston “ I hate Indians ” Churchill .
Just a week after a survey of bushfire-affected residents showed that 60 % of them relied on the ABC to stay safe , The Guardian reports that the national broadcaster will have to cut 250 staff across news , entertainment and regional divisions to meet a $ 41 million annual budget cut .
That shortfall , which comes under a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts the total funding slashed by the Coalition since taking office in 2014 at $ 783 million .
Additionally , The Sydney Morning Herald reports that dozens of metro staff at News Corp publications will be cut as part of mass syndication efforts across The Herald Sun , Daily Telegraph and , to an apparently lesser degree , The Australian .
• NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian launched Covid-19 Safety Check “ badges ” for businesses to display “ so customers know they have the tick of approval [ and ] provide feedback in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if necessary , to the regulator for action.
” • After welcoming back around 618,000 students from Years 3 to 10 under the state ’ s full return to face-to-face teaching , Victoria opened a community consultation survey for principals , teachers , parents and students ahead of a July summit to discuss lessons learned throughout the remote teaching and learning period .
• Queensland has released details on the $ 802.9 million in loans approved under the Covid-19 Jobs Support Loans scheme , as well as grants approved under the $ 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Australian government launched a campaign with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy to lure Eastern States-based FIFO workers — many of whom have temporarily relocated due to the state ’ s border quarantine rules — to permanently relocate .
• South Australia announced three new travel apps and a revamped Adelaide Metro website , as part of the state ’ s public transport road map developed in response to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee ’ s Principles for Covid-19 Public Transport Operations .
• Finally , the ACT government has expanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by $ 28 million and 100 public service roles .
In a short but positive note to end on , Australia yesterday recorded our first day since the pandemic ’ s peak with no new recorded cases due to community transmission , with just two overseas arrivals testing positive in NSW .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
[ ABC ’ s Lisa Miller ] : Just last week , the prime minister was saying JobKeeper was there for six months , until September .
You really blindsided people in the industry [ with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers ] .
Did the prime minister misspeak ?
No the prime minister was talking about the legislation that is there that guarantees that the JobKeeper package will be there for six months .
After Scott Morrison absolutely last week claimed “ the six months provision of JobKeeper ” would last until September , the Education Minister puts on his bravest face to argue that only referred to the little piece of paper the scheme is written on .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Morrison signals more help for Australian manufacturing Mental heath nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier John Barilaro launches campaign to open stadiums and bring NRL fans back ( $ ) ‘ Miss Hitler ’ pageant entrant and her partner jailed for belonging to neo-Nazi group Premier needs to act on model to save black lives — Teela Reid ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ In 2018 , the Walama Working Group officially presented the business case for the Walama Court to the NSW government directly to the office of the NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman .
We understand Premier Gladys Berejikilian is aware of the proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act on its implementation by passing the legislation required for its establishment.
” Aussie dollar ’ s unfortunate popularity ( $ ) — Karen Maley ( AFR ) : “ Does the new-found popularity of the Australian dollar represent a further impediment to our post-coronavirus pandemic economic recovery ?
That ’ s the question occupying the minds of top policymakers as the Australian dollar has climbed more than 20 % against the US dollar since mid-March , making it one of the top-performing currencies in the world over the past few months.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ drove last year ’ s coup in Bolivia : Falsehoods peddled by the U.S. , its media , and the NYT — Glenn Greenwald ( The Intercept ) : “ As usual , the two news outlets most influential in disseminating and ratifying false anti-democratic claims from the U.S. government were the Washington Post and — though they neglected to mention it in their article yesterday on the debunked OAS findings — the New York Times itself .
The Post , in its article the day after Morales was forced to leave , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headline : ‘ Bolivia ’ s Morales resigns amid scathing election report , rising protests .
’ ”

A BRIDGE TOO ANTIFA
After footage went viral of New York police shoving 75-year-old peaceful protester Martin Gugino and then ignoring him as he lay on the ground bleeding from his ear, CNN unpacks how Donald Trump has attempted to chum the water with a fabricated conspiracy theory that Gugino was an “Antifa provocateur”.
As George Floyd’s funeral begins today in Houston, here are a few more updates on why thousands continue to march:
There is, however, another victory of sorts for protesters: IBM has announced plans to get out of the facial recognition business.
NATIONAL CABINET LIKELY TO DELAY ACCELERATED LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS
Announced with all the emphasis you’d expect from the national broadsheet, The Australian ($) reports that concerns over last week’s Stop Black Deaths in Custody protests will see the national cabinet ditch their idea to bring recovery plans forward by at least a week, “potentially costing the economy more than $1 billion and preventing tens of thousands of people getting back to work”.
Elsewhere, in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt has confirmed that community consultations on the proposed First Nations Voice to Parliament will progress this year, even if the pandemic has postponed plans for a referendum — potentially, until after the next election.
PS: While thousands may have turned up in Australia last weekend, a new Essential poll at The Guardian suggests 80% of Australians believe US police forces have institutional racism, but only 30% see the same in Australia. Reminder: more than 400 Indigenous Australians have died in police custody since 1991, and absolutely zero officers have been been convicted.
TURNING THE PAYG
According to the AFR ($), Assistant Treasurer and Housing Minister Michael Sukkar will announce plans to defer $1 billion worth of forecast pay as you go (PAYG) tax receipts from businesses and high-income earners for the 2020-21 financial year on Wednesday “to help them with cash flow during Covid-19”.
WHAT ISN’T BEING REPORTED TODAY? Despite that little drop in the Oz yesterday, the Coalition did not discuss incarceration targets or the Black/Indigenous Lives Matter protests in yesterday’s party room meeting, although Josh Frydenberg did, reportedly, condemn UK protesters for defacing a statue of Winston “I hate Indians” Churchill.
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MORE BAD NEWS FOR AUSTRALIAN JOURNALISTS
Just a week after a survey of bushfire-affected residents showed that 60% of them relied on the ABC to stay safe, The Guardian reports that the national broadcaster will have to cut 250 staff across news, entertainment and regional divisions to meet a $41 million annual budget cut.
That shortfall, which comes under a $84 million cut announced in 2018, puts the total funding slashed by the Coalition since taking office in 2014 at $783 million.
Additionally, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that dozens of metro staff at News Corp publications will be cut as part of mass syndication efforts across The Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and, to an apparently lesser degree, The Australian.
STATE VIRUS WATCH: NSW’S SAFETY CHECK FOR BUSINESS
In a short but positive note to end on, Australia yesterday recorded our first day since the pandemic’s peak with no new recorded cases due to community transmission, with just two overseas arrivals testing positive in NSW.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
[ABC’s Lisa Miller]: Just last week, the prime minister was saying JobKeeper was there for six months, until September. You really blindsided people in the industry [with the July 20 end date for childcare workers]. Did the prime minister misspeak? No the prime minister was talking about the legislation that is there that guarantees that the JobKeeper package will be there for six months. Dan Tehan
After Scott Morrison absolutely last week claimed “the six months provision of JobKeeper” would last until September, the Education Minister puts on his bravest face to argue that only referred to the little piece of paper the scheme is written on.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
‘I can’t breathe’: Danny Richards’ family seek answers to custody death
Reconciliation Australia ends partnership with Rio Tinto over destroyed heritage site
Greens activist Jonathan Peter Doig arrested over alleged child sex abuse offences ($)
Morrison signals more help for Australian manufacturing
Mental heath nurses to be based at police stations
Australian government considers appealing against judgment on 2011 live cattle export ban
Deputy Premier John Barilaro launches campaign to open stadiums and bring NRL fans back ($)
‘Miss Hitler’ pageant entrant and her partner jailed for belonging to neo-Nazi group
Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza dies of heart attack, aged 56
THE COMMENTARIAT
Premier needs to act on model to save black lives — Teela Reid (The Sydney Morning Herald): “In 2018, the Walama Working Group officially presented the business case for the Walama Court to the NSW government directly to the office of the NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman. We understand Premier Gladys Berejikilian is aware of the proposal, although the State Parliament is yet to act on its implementation by passing the legislation required for its establishment.”
Aussie dollar’s unfortunate popularity ($) — Karen Maley (AFR): “Does the new-found popularity of the Australian dollar represent a further impediment to our post-coronavirus pandemic economic recovery? That’s the question occupying the minds of top policymakers as the Australian dollar has climbed more than 20% against the US dollar since mid-March, making it one of the top-performing currencies in the world over the past few months.”
The NYT admits key falsehoods that drove last year’s coup in Bolivia: Falsehoods peddled by the U.S., its media, and the NYT — Glenn Greenwald (The Intercept): “As usual, the two news outlets most influential in disseminating and ratifying false anti-democratic claims from the U.S. government were the Washington Post and — though they neglected to mention it in their article yesterday on the debunked OAS findings — the New York Times itself. The Post, in its article the day after Morales was forced to leave, ratified the election fraud accusation in its headline: ‘Bolivia’s Morales resigns amid scathing election report, rising protests.’”
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