crikey--2020-02-27--Virus watch: COVID-19 by the numbers

Virus watch: COVID-19 by the numbers

As the world edges towards a pandemic declaration , and Donald Trump appoints a `` coronavirus czar '' , Crikey breaks down the latest numbers on COVID-19 .
The coronavirus is edging closer to global pandemic status .
Meanwhile , Wall St ’ s confidence slides , the global tourism economy takes a hit , and serious questions emerge about the level of preparedness of major countries .
• For the first time since the start of the outbreak , there are more new cases of COVID-19 outside of China than in , the World Health Organisation said yesterday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they change by the minute ) , 81,322 have been infected worldwide , with 2770 deaths .
• The reported mortality rate is dramatically higher in Iran ( 14 % ) than elsewhere ( about 1 % globally and 2 % in Wuhan ) , but this could be because of reporting problems .
• Despite worldwide spread , China has reported an 80 % drop in new cases over the last two weeks — but experts warn this figure may be a result of new recording practices , and a product of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy .
• After initially brushing off fears , investors are getting spooked .
On Monday , the S & P 500 fell over 3 % , its worst single day slide in two years , while European stocks have fallen nearly 7 % in the last week .
• Risk analysts Moody ’ s Analytics yesterday predicted a 40 % chance the virus would evolve into a global pandemic , making a global recession likely .
• Tourism has already taken a hit — visitors to France have fallen 30-40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion loss in revenue this year , while countries in South East Asia reliant on Chinese tourists are expected to lose $ 3 billion .
The spikes in COVID-19 cases in Iran and Italy have led to the spread of the virus into new countries .
A Brazilian man returning from a business trip in Italy has tested positive , the first known case in all Latin America .
In the last 24 hours , Georgia , Norway , Romania and Algeria all recorded their first cases .
But Indonesia has still recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties to China , leading to concerns that the world ’ s fourth-most-populated country is seriously under-prepared .
As the outbreak gets closer to a pandemic , there are serious questions about the Trump administration ’ s preparedness .
The US has been sluggish in testing people , in part because the Centre for Disease Control ( CDC ) distributed faulty testing kits .
After flip-flopping over whether to nominate a separate “ coronavirus czar ” , Trump put his Vice President Mike Pence in charge of leading the response .
Critics immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curb an HIV outbreak in Indiana when he was governor .
The administration has recently cut funding to the CDC , and narrowed its global epidemic work two years ago .
But never fear — this week Trump boasted that the US was “ in great shape ” , and blamed “ Fake News ” for spreading fear about the virus .

The coronavirus is edging closer to global pandemic status. Meanwhile, Wall St’s confidence slides, the global tourism economy takes a hit, and serious questions emerge about the level of preparedness of major countries.
By the numbers
For the first time since the start of the outbreak, there are more new cases of COVID-19 outside of China than in, the World Health Organisation said yesterday.
According to the latest figures (they change by the minute), 81,322 have been infected worldwide, with 2770 deaths.
The reported mortality rate is dramatically higher in Iran (14%) than elsewhere (about 1% globally and 2% in Wuhan), but this could be because of reporting problems.
Despite worldwide spread, China has reported an 80% drop in new cases over the last two weeks — but experts warn this figure may be a result of new recording practices, and a product of Xi Jinping’s desire to restart the economy.
After initially brushing off fears, investors are getting spooked. On Monday, the S&P 500 fell over 3%, its worst single day slide in two years, while European stocks have fallen nearly 7% in the last week.
Compare the pair: New York Times headlines show how Wall St’s fears about COVID-19 have escalated in less than a week.
Risk analysts Moody’s Analytics yesterday predicted a 40% chance the virus would evolve into a global pandemic, making a global recession likely.
Tourism has already taken a hit — visitors to France have fallen 30-40%, airlines are anticipating a $28 billion loss in revenue this year, while countries in South East Asia reliant on Chinese tourists are expected to lose $3 billion.
Reaching new ground
The spikes in COVID-19 cases in Iran and Italy have led to the spread of the virus into new countries.
A Brazilian man returning from a business trip in Italy has tested positive, the first known case in all Latin America. In the last 24 hours, Georgia, Norway, Romania and Algeria all recorded their first cases.


crikey--2020-02-26--A peek into the corrupt world of grants exposes unregulated role of staffers

Political staffers now have huge power over the spending of millions of taxpayer dollars , but face no accountability .
It 's time they were either treated like politicians or treated like public servants .
Is this the most corrupt federal government in Australian history ?
The Howard government — lying about Iraq , the AWB affair , the Dili bugging , Mamdouh Habib , Mohamed Haneef , regional rorts , the MRI scandal , the government advertising scandal — might vociferously object to a younger generation claiming the prize .
But the growing stench of rorted programs and self-interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s now grown beyond that exemplar of maladministration , the Community Sports Infrastructure Grants program .
It now extends to a grants program aimed at female swimming facilities in regional areas that funded facilities in literally the least regional place in Australia , North Sydney , and special help for aged-care facilities in the electorates of supporters .
This is partly because of unusual circumstances .
There ’ s a blatant push by Barnaby Joyce ’ s allies to drive Michael McCormack out of the Nationals leadership using the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fake stories that McCormack is about to quit , and leaks about questionable administrative practices , like today ’ s on an aged-care facility .
Such dodgy practices are standard behaviour within the Nationals , and usually stay hidden unless exposed by an auditor .
But the civil war within the party means they ’ ll continue to be brought to light .
The other special circumstance is that the government thought it was doomed before the last election and threw caution to the wind , not caring what any Australian National Audit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-election as they expected to be in opposition by then anyway .
This saw rorting so blatant and unashamed that it could not be hidden , especially with an auditor-general as diligent and determined to pursue good practice as Grant Hehir .
That has opened the eyes of the media to what really goes on with grants .
The revelation yesterday that more than 160 emails pinged between the Prime Minister ’ s Office and that of Bridget McKenzie has shone further light on the role of ministerial staff in the rorting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , Scott Morrison was correct to describe the role of his office as the routine forwarding of representations to the office of a minister responsible for a program .
The ANAO pointed out that requests forwarded by the PMO did not have any greater success than any other applications under the program .
As any public servant will tell you , being able to say you ’ ve forwarded the request to the area actually responsible for considering it gives you something to tell a supplicant without imposing any obligation or responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that political staffers face no accountability or parliamentary scrutiny ( or , if they ’ re Liberal staffers , apparently any investigation by the Australian Federal Police ) .
This invariably prompts calls for greater accountability for a group who are neither public servants nor elected officials , and who thus face none of the scrutiny that either of those are subject to .
But the sports rorts scandal highlights a specific failure of current administrative regulation .
For the purposes of administering grants , ministerial staffers don ’ t exist .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t apply to the Sports Commission but which , at least according to the government , will be extended to cover all bodies — only apply to “ Ministers ; accountable authorities ; officials ; and third parties who undertake grants administration on behalf of the Commonwealth ” .
Except ministers now don ’ t make decisions about grants — in effect , their staff do , using spreadsheets based on electorates and winnable seats .
Notionally , this shift in decision-making is captured by the fact that ministers remain accountable to parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by their staff .
But staff are expendable political buffers for ministers , who can blame their staff , and even sack them , while insisting they themselves knew nothing of what their staff did .
Bridget McKenzie told Phil Gaetjens that she had never seen the spreadsheet that was at the centre of how her staffers overrode the advice of the Sports Commission to allocate funds to winnable seats .
Of course she didn ’ t — she was too busy for that sort of detail , that ’ s exactly what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that McKenzie , the “ decision-maker ” under the current grants administration framework , acted as a cypher for her staff , who allocated the funding based on political considerations .
So there ’ s a black hole around accountability given the role of political staffers in administering programs worth hundreds of millions of dollars : they have become the decision-makers , but are not captured by existing guidelines , and their ministers can evade accountability for their actions .
Only the ANAO , which can compel staffers to give evidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t vet every program .
The only way to close the black hole is to make staffers accountable in the same way as their ministers — i.e .
they can be called to appear before parliament — or make them subject to the Commonwealth grant guidelines like public servants are .
They have to be one or the other , rather than hiding in the middle .
Otherwise , the stench of corruption and sordid abuse of taxpayer funding will only worsen .

Is this the most corrupt federal government in Australian history?
The Howard government — lying about Iraq, the AWB affair, the Dili bugging, Mamdouh Habib, Mohamed Haneef, regional rorts, the MRI scandal, the government advertising scandal — might vociferously object to a younger generation claiming the prize. But the growing stench of rorted programs and self-interested decision-making is reaching historic levels in Canberra.
It’s now grown beyond that exemplar of maladministration, the Community Sports Infrastructure Grants program. It now extends to a grants program aimed at female swimming facilities in regional areas that funded facilities in literally the least regional place in Australia, North Sydney, and special help for aged-care facilities in the electorates of supporters.


crikey--2020-02-26--To stop wage theft, the government needs to put its money where its mouth is

The federal government needs to enable not just the Fair Work Ombudsman but other groups , too , to contribute to ensuring employer compliance .
In The Daily Fix , Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems .
This week : wage theft .
How best to increase employer compliance with minimum pay standards is a complex issue and therefore it is difficult to nominate a single change to achieve it .
Having said that , I would most like to see the Australian government prioritise solving the problem by ensuring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement .
This does not solely mean increasing the Fair Work Ombudsman ’ s funding , although a significant increase would assist as the Ombudsman currently receives less government funding than 10 years ago .
It also means enabling others to contribute to ensuring employer compliance , such as unions , community centres and migrant workers themselves .
Unions , who already recover millions of dollars on behalf of underpaid workers despite restrictive rights to inspect pay records , are not part of the federal government ’ s plan to address the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups are important conduits to legal recourse for vulnerable migrant workers but must battle just to raise funds to continue their own operation .
And migrant workers themselves could be a better utilised resource if deportation was less of a risk — the operations of the Ombudsman and Border Force must be separated by a clear operational firewall rather than current vague undertakings .
Dr. Stephen Clibborn is senior lecturer at University of Sydney Business School and Co-Director of the Sydney Employment Relations Research Group .

In The Daily Fix, Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems. This week: wage theft.
How best to increase employer compliance with minimum pay standards is a complex issue and therefore it is difficult to nominate a single change to achieve it.
Having said that, I would most like to see the Australian government prioritise solving the problem by ensuring that adequate resources are applied to employment law enforcement.


crikey--2020-02-26--Virus watch: what you need to know about COVID-19

There 's a lot of talk about 'pandemic ' going around .
How worried should you be ?
This morning the World Health Organisation announced that countries should be “ in a phase of preparedness ” for a coronavirus pandemic .
As panic spreads , here ’ s what you need to know : the virus has spread to nearly 80,000 people in 37 countries .
While the vast majority of these cases are still in China ( around 77,000 ) , there have been worrying outbreaks in many other countries .
In particular , there are new focal points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Iran was the second major hotspot for the outbreak after China .
This week there was a queasy symbolism in deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi testing positive to the virus after appearing visibly unwell on Iranian television on Monday .
Iran has reported 95 cases ( 15 fatal ) of the virus , but many observers believe the real figure is likely to be higher .
Worryingly , with the constant circulation of Muslim pilgrims and itinerant workers across Middle Eastern borders , cases in Iraq , Afghanistan , Bahrain , Kuwait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arab Emirates — plus one in Canada — have all been traced to Iran .
An outbreak in the region could be disastrous , with so many neighbouring countries ’ health infrastructure shattered by years of war or civil unrest .
South Korea has set its coronavirus alert at the highest level , and has by far the most cases outside of China — within a week , confirmed cases jumped from a few dozen to more than 900 .
The spike came as a shock , given the country ’ s infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t feel “ end of days ” enough for you , there ’ s also a Christian cult at the centre of things .
The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has identified a 61-year-old member of fringe Christian group Shincheonji Church as being at the heart of the outbreak .
The female patient , known as “ Patient 31 ” , initially refused to be transferred to a hospital to be tested and had attended several church gatherings before testing positive .
Shincheonji Church believes its founder , Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christ .
Lee has told his followers the virus is the devil ’ s work , and a test of faith .
At their services in the south-eastern city of Daegu , members likely infected one another and then fanned out around the country , apparently undetected .
Italy ’ s cases of coronavirus recently shot up by 45 % to more than 300 and the death toll rose to 11 , after four more elderly victims succumbed .
Towns in northern regions such as Lombardy have been placed in lockdown .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out from Italy to neighbouring countries , with cases reported in Switzerland , Croatia and Austria .
Austria is stopping suspected cases at the border and has placed an alpine hotel in the town of Innsbruck under lock down , after an Italian receptionist contracted the virus .
Australia ’ s “ COVID-19 plan ” sets out responses for three differing levels of severity — from “ low ” which would resemble a bad flu season to “ high ” which is Spanish flu levels .
Professor Nigel McMillan , director in Infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nine papers that , while there would be a strain on health services if a pandemic did reach Australia , “ we don ’ t wish to induce panic food or petrol stockpiling … when for 95 % of the population , this will be a mild cold ” .
On the other side of the spectrum , US shock jock Rush Limbaugh recently declared that the coronavirus is “ being weaponised ” by Chinese communists to “ bring down ” US president Donald Trump .
“ I want to tell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus is the common cold , folks , ” he said before elaborating .
“ It probably is a ChiCom laboratory experiment that is in the process of being weaponised.
” Given that right-wing talking points spread through Australia with an ease coronavirus can only dream of , we can expect to hear something similar from Malcolm Roberts on the Senate floor soon .

This morning the World Health Organisation announced that countries should be “in a phase of preparedness” for a coronavirus pandemic.
As panic spreads, here’s what you need to know: the virus has spread to nearly 80,000 people in 37 countries. While the vast majority of these cases are still in China (around 77,000), there have been worrying outbreaks in many other countries. In particular, there are new focal points in Iran, Italy and South Korea.
Iran
Iran was the second major hotspot for the outbreak after China. This week there was a queasy symbolism in deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi testing positive to the virus after appearing visibly unwell on Iranian television on Monday.


crikey--2020-02-25--No, minister, 250 people haven’t been charged with arson

In the context of the current bushfire crisis , there is simply no evidence that arson was responsible .
Peter Dutton , a former policeman whose Home Affairs portfolio includes the federal police , recently acknowledged that Australia was experiencing hotter weather and longer summers .
But in a February 5 interview with ABC TV presenter Patricia Karvelas , he posed the question : did the bushfires start in some regions because of climate change ?
“ No , it didn ’ t , ” he said .
“ It started because somebody lit a match .
I mean there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or more , that have been charged with arson .
That ’ s not climate change.
” Fact Check has already looked at the question of whether arson is primarily to blame for the bushfire crisis , following a flurry of claims made on social media and by some politicians that most of the fires this summer had been deliberately lit by an “ unprecedented ” number of arsonists .
Bushfire arson is not an insignificant problem .
But in the context of the current bushfire crisis , there is simply no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even moderately responsible .
On the contrary , in Victoria , emergency services personnel have been at pains to point out that lightning strikes caused the big fires — in East Gippsland and the north-east .
Likewise , in NSW , emergency services personnel have pointed to dry lightning storms as the cause of most of the big fires .
Nor is there any evidence to indicate bushfire arson has increased to “ unprecedented ” levels , as some in the Morrison government has suggested .
What does the data show ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the year to September 2019 .
In Victoria , the number of intentionally caused bushfire offences peaked in 2016 but fell to a level well below the 10-year average over the year to September .
Data provided to Fact Check by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research tells a similar story .
The number of people facing police action for bushfires that were deliberately lit was below the 10-year average in 2019 , having peaked in 2014 .
Moreover , as Fact Check previously pointed out , so-called “ natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strikes — are likely to be much larger and more remote than fires caused by arsonists , which tend to be started in closer proximity to urban areas .
David Bowman , a leading bushfire expert who is also a professor of environmental change biology at the University of Tasmania , told Fact Check recently that many of the big fires in the current crisis were known to have been caused by lightning strikes , having originated in remote areas after storms .
“ We know there are lightning storms that have caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ One of the signatures of arson is that arson [ occurs ] in proximity to people .
Many of these fires have been burning in remote and inaccessible areas , so there is a significant lightning component.
” Where does the 250 figure come from ?
But what about Dutton ’ s specific claim in relation to the current crisis that “ 250 people … or more ” have been charged with arson ?
Dutton was less than precise with his wording .
He did not specify the months he was referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about “ bushfire ” arson , or arson more broadly .
Fact Check contacted Dutton ’ s office seeking clarification and a source for the data he was referring to .
His office said he had nothing to add .
Given the context for his comments , it is reasonable to assume he was referring to bushfire arson in relation to the current 2019-20 crisis .
As previously pointed out by Fact Check , comparing data on bushfire arson can be problematic .
Different jurisdictions and government agencies take different approaches when recording @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the report of the 2009 Black Saturday royal commission pointed out : “ Some jurisdictions adopt a broad definition , deeming all suspicious fires to be arson ; others might limit the term to those fires for which there is a prima facie , or even a proven , case of arson.
” Keeping this in mind , this is what we know : • NSW : 55 people faced “ legal action ” over alleged deliberately-lit bushfires between August 1 , 2019 , and January 24 , 2020 .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal action ” is not necessarily the same as being “ charged ” — as Dutton expressed it .
According to NSW Police , the legal action ranges in seriousness from the issuing of a “ caution ” to the laying of a criminal charge .
We don ’ t know how many of the 55 were specifically charged for deliberately lighting a fire .
• Victoria : A Victoria Police spokeswoman said : “ There is currently no intelligence to indicate that the fires in East Gippsland and the North East have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicious behaviour.
” She said there had been a number of arrests in relation to arson for scrub fires during the current bushfire season , although these were not related to the bushfires that consumed parts of East Gippsland and the north-east .
• Queensland : From September 10 2019 to the present , 109 people have been “ dealt with ” by police for offences relating to recklessly and/or deliberately setting bushfires .
Of these , 36 were adults and 73 were juveniles .
Importantly , the figures provided by Queensland Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ deliberately ” starting a fire .
Further , according to Queensland Police , in a large number of cases the fires were started by school-age children , whether “ recklessly ” or “ deliberately ” .
• South Australia : Since September 1 2019 , 12 people have been charged with causing a bushfire .
Again , the figures do not distinguish between those bushfires that were “ intentionally ” or “ recklessly ” started .
This would be determined by the courts , under South Australian legislation .
• Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with offences linked to bushfire arson since December 1 , 2019 .
A Western Australia Police spokeswoman noted that “ the majority of fires where a large amount of bushland was burnt [ were ] caused by lightning ” .
• Tasmania : Between August 1 2019 and February 6 2020 , there were three charges and three youth cautions for “ unlawfully setting fire to vegetation ” .
A spokeswoman for Tasmania Police said this offence most closely aligned with “ bushfire arson ” in Tasmania .
• ACT : No charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current fire season .
According to the Australian Federal Police , there has been one charge for lighting fire on a total fire ban day , with a further two incidents being investigated .
• NT : Since the middle of last year , six people have been charged with causing a bushfire , either with “ intent ” or “ recklessly ” .
What can we conclude from all of this ?
Because of the varying methods used to record the data by law enforcement agencies , and the different legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territories , it is difficult to be definitive .
As the Black Saturday royal commission report put it , “ arson ” involves the “ requisite intention ” to cause damage or have no regard for the damage that might result from a fire .
However , Queensland , South Australia and the Northern Territory do not for the purposes of data collection , distinguish between “ deliberately ” lit fires — generally a prerequisite for arson — and “ recklessly ” causing one , for example by ignoring a total fire ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the figures suggest that no more than 195 people have been either charged with deliberately or recklessly starting a fire .
More than half the total ( 109 ) comes from Queensland , where there is no distinction between recklessly and deliberately lighting a fire .
A significant number ( 55 ) , are from NSW , where the figures include people who have not been charged but are facing less serious consequences such as being “ cautioned ” .
An examination of the public record and statements by law enforcement agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 250 people have been charged with arson during the current bushfire season .
And as experts have noted , attempting to “ criminalise ” the crisis misses a bigger point .
Regardless of how bushfires are started , hotter , drier conditions are exacerbating their impact .
This is where climate change comes in .

Peter Dutton, a former policeman whose Home Affairs portfolio includes the federal police, recently acknowledged that Australia was experiencing hotter weather and longer summers.
But in a February 5 interview with ABC TV presenter Patricia Karvelas, he posed the question: did the bushfires start in some regions because of climate change?
“No, it didn’t,” he said. “It started because somebody lit a match. I mean there are 250 people as I understand it, or more, that have been charged with arson. That’s not climate change.”


crikey--2020-02-25--Peter Dutton can’t tell left from right

Peter Dutton can’t tell left from right

Peter Dutton thinks Islamist terrorists are 'left wing ' .
But then , he has good reason not to want to talk about right-wing terrorism .
Well known for being unable to count when it comes to the party room , Home Affairs hardman Peter Dutton , it seems , also struggles with being able to tell left from right .
In response to the Director-General of ASIO specifically singling out right-wing extremism as a terrorism threat in Australia , Dutton yesterday attacked “ left wing lunatics ” , among which he included Islamist terrorists .
Given Islamist terrorists are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secular societies , hate LGBTI people and atheists , deny basic rights to women and who historically first came to prominence fighting the Soviet Union in Afghanistan , this is , at the very least , a novel interpretation by Dutton .
Islamist terrorists looking to avenge Western military intervention in Muslim countries also have as much in common now with the right — is it not Trump himself who wants to end “ forever wars ” , to the cheers of anti-interventionist conservatives in the US — as with the anti-American left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worry about left-wing terrorism if it was the 1970s and the Red Brigades , the Red Army Faction and Action Directe were still running amok in Europe .
Now it is white supremacists and incels carrying out mass murders in Europe , the United States and New Zealand .
The FBI recently identified Nazi and white supremacist terrorism as the greatest threat to US security along with Islamic State terrorism .
The state of Texas says white supremacists are its greatest security threat , along with incels .
British police say the fastest-growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October , MI5 took over as the lead agency in combating that threat in the UK .
So why is Dutton talking about left-wing terrorism instead ?
The surge of right-wing terrorism , of extremism based on the same chauvinist rhetoric Dutton has long espoused ( boycotting the Stolen Generations apology , “ African gangs ” , myths about white South African farmers , attacks on Lebanese-Australians ) , presumably makes even the Home Affairs minister shift uncomfortably in his seat ; to have it confirmed by a security agency in his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ craw .
All of this goes to the broader point that Dutton is , and has always been , a risk to Australia ’ s national security .
This is a minister who has presided over a massive increase in illegitimate asylum seekers arriving via airports — who then go on to undercut Australian workers ’ wages — a weak visa compliance system and repeated cybersecurity failures .
His rhetoric has consistently targeted minority groups , in direct contrast with the advice of security bodies like ASIO , who — in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with communities attacked by Dutton .
And literally everything , no matter how inappropriate , appears to be an opportunity for Dutton to rail at his hated “ lefties ” .
When you ’ re as far right as Dutton is , it ’ s perhaps unsurprising literally everyone looks like they ’ re to your left .

Well known for being unable to count when it comes to the party room, Home Affairs hardman Peter Dutton, it seems, also struggles with being able to tell left from right.
In response to the Director-General of ASIO specifically singling out right-wing extremism as a terrorism threat in Australia, Dutton yesterday attacked “left wing lunatics”, among which he included Islamist terrorists.
Given Islamist terrorists are religious fundamentalists who seek the overthrow of secular societies, hate LGBTI people and atheists, deny basic rights to women and who historically first came to prominence fighting the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, this is, at the very least, a novel interpretation by Dutton.


crikey--2020-03-02--Labor’s ‘zero carbon emissions by 2050’ promise is a fantasy. Here’s why

It sounds promising .
But this is really just a tactic , and it 's totally inconsistent with the science @ @ @ @ @ up with a new policy : net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 .
It 's been @ @ @ @ @ It had to come up with something , what with its pro-coal stance on Adani @ @ @ @ @ the bushfires .

The ALP has come up with a new policy: net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It’s been encouraged by public opinion. It had to come up with something, what with its pro-coal stance on Adani and the challenge of comprehending the bushfires.
On the surface this sounds promising. However, the promise is a tactic, inconsistent with the science, for a number of reasons. Here are two:
1. By 2050, at the current CO₂ rise rate of about 2.5 parts per million per year, CO₂ levels will be far in excess of 500ppm, or 600ppm CO₂-equivalent when methane and nitrous oxide are taken into account. This would push global temperatures to 2 degrees and higher.


crikey--2020-03-01--From young to old: is our handling of coronavirus intergenerational theft?

We let poor kids die and no one seems to care .
But when an 80-year-old dies on a cruise @ @ @ @ @ a global emergency .
The greatest theft of our time remains the constant transfer of @ @ @ @ @ the old .
Almost every government policy in Western countries has exacerbated this -- the @ @ @ @ @ rate settings ( which has facilitated massive government debt , and represents the old borrowing @ @ @ @ @ well those not yet born ) .
Property taxes ( or lack thereof ) and @ @ @ @ @ in the swindle .

The greatest theft of our time remains the constant transfer of wealth from the young to the old. Almost every government policy in Western countries has exacerbated this — the most significant being low interest rate settings (which has facilitated massive government debt, and represents the old borrowing from the young, as well those not yet born). Property taxes (or lack thereof) and education costs are bit players in the swindle.
But is the reaction to COVID-19 yet another example of this?
There’s no doubt a lot of people will tragically die as a result of the flu-like virus. Many will perish by the time a vaccine or viral treatments are functional.


crikey--2020-03-01--A collapsing Chinese economy puts the acid on stimulus-shy government to respond

A collapsing Chinese economy puts the acid on stimulus-shy government to respond For years , the Coalition mocked the Rudd @ @ @ @ @ 2009 financial crisis .
Now it faces the same test .
Is it up to @ @ @ @ @ last decade deriding Labor 's response to the financial crisis as inept , over the @ @ @ @ @ Coalition now finds itself facing a similar challenge after a weekend in which an already @ @ @ @ @ .

After spending the last decade deriding Labor’s response to the financial crisis as inept, over the top and wasteful, the Coalition now finds itself facing a similar challenge after a weekend in which an already poor economic outlook dramatically worsened.
As this week’s national accounts for the December quarter will show, the Australian economy was already stumbling badly at the end of 2019, with neither households nor business spending, and major sectors like construction and manufacturing contracting.
But it is the impact on China of the coronavirus crisis that is likely to push the Australian economy into negative growth this quarter and, quite possibly, a recession.


crikey--2020-03-01--Wage theft is a gendered issue that requires an intersectional strategy to fix

There are profound problems with the enforcement of wage laws and entitlements across Australia .
And the problem disproportionately impacts women .
In The Daily Fix , Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems .
Today : wage theft .
It ’ s not a stretch to say that gender inequality persists in the workplace , and it isn ’ t changing any time soon .
On top of the gender pay gap ( which exists across all occupations and industries ) , women are over-represented in part-time and casual work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are expected to undertake .
The underpayment of wages is just another compounding factor that must be seen as a gendered issue that intersects with other forms of inequality .
The sheer extent of non-compliance by employers tells us there are profound problems with the enforcement of wage laws and entitlements across all areas of work in Australia , problems that disproportionately impact women — in particular , young and/or migrant women who often rely on minimum wage , modern award systems and the gig economy .
We need lawmakers , politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theft as a gendered issue which requires an intersectional strategy .
We need policy and legislation to break down the systemic barriers that create “ feminised ” sectors and that fail to address gender inequality in the workplace .
We also need better wage transparency and stronger legal protections for workers to properly hold businesses to account .
Michelle Phillips is the CEO of the YMCA .

In The Daily Fix, Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems. Today: wage theft.
It’s not a stretch to say that gender inequality persists in the workplace, and it isn’t changing any time soon. On top of the gender pay gap (which exists across all occupations and industries), women are over-represented in part-time and casual work, often due to the unpaid caring roles they are expected to undertake.
The underpayment of wages is just another compounding factor that must be seen as a gendered issue that intersects with other forms of inequality.


crikey--2020-03-02--Should the government take Kevin Rudd’s pandemic advice?

Should the government take Kevin Rudd ’ s pandemic advice ?
Kevin Rudd has criticised the Morrison government 's 'complacent @ @ @ @ @ impact of coronavirus on Australian trading .
Crikey 's favourite pen pal Kevin Rudd has @ @ @ @ @ Morrison 's response to the coronavirus crisis .

Crikey‘s favourite pen pal Kevin Rudd has unleashed on Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
Rudd put out a statement over the weekend saying that the Morrison government “has been far too complacent” about the damaging effects coronavirus could have on Australian trading.
“The government’s pandemic plan is a part of Australia’s response. But a targeted economic stimulus is the other, still missing, element we need to avoid the threat of recession.”


crikey--2020-03-02--Virus Watch: footshakes, beer and ignorance

The unexpected consequences of the coronavirus continue .
Australia had its first coronavirus fatality over the weekend as the infection @ @ @ @ @ Handshakes are now off the table , with the virus having some unexpected consequences for @ @ @ @ @ .

Australia had its first coronavirus fatality over the weekend as the infection rate continues to climb. Handshakes are now off the table, with the virus having some unexpected consequences for both beer and the environment.
Handshakes a touchy issue
Handshakes are now a social faux pas, with a senior World Health Organisation official endorsing “elbow bumps” and “footshakes” as a safe alternative.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced at an event she would not be shaking anyone’s hands. French authorities have also recommended people avoid shaking hands, while Premier League soccer club Newcastle United has banned the greeting.


crikey--2020-03-01--Robbing the young to save the oldies. Is that right?


crikey--2020-03-01--The government needs to recognise that wage theft is a gendered issue

There are profound problems with the enforcement of wage laws and entitlements across Australia .
And the problem disproportionately impacts women .
In The Daily Fix , Crikey taps into the wisdom of experts and community leaders to find solutions to problems .
Today : wage theft .
It ’ s not a stretch to say that gender inequality persists in the workplace , and it isn ’ t changing any time soon .
On top of the gender pay gap ( which exists across all occupations and industries ) , women are over-represented in part-time and casual work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are expected to undertake .
The underpayment of wages is just another compounding factor that must be seen as a gendered issue that intersects with other forms of inequality .
The sheer extent of non-compliance by employers tells us there are profound problems with the enforcement of wage laws and entitlements across all areas of work in Australia , problems that disproportionately impact women — in particular , young and/or migrant women who often rely on minimum wage , modern award systems and the gig economy .
We need lawmakers , politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theft as a gendered issue which requires an intersectional strategy .
We need policy and legislation to break down the systemic barriers that create “ feminised ” sectors and that fail to address gender inequality in the workplace .
We also need better wage transparency and stronger legal protections for workers to properly hold businesses to account .
Michelle Phillips is the CEO of the YWCA .


crikey--2020-03-03--Morrison has the right fix — for now

Morrison has the right fix — for now

Morrison has the right fix — for now 'Targeted and modest ' stimulus is the right course for the moment @ @ @ @ @ get worse , Australia will not forgive a government that puts politics ahead of economics @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 Prime Minister Scott Morrison has shown some willingness to engage in fiscal stimulus .

In the wake of COVID-19 Prime Minister Scott Morrison has shown some willingness to engage in fiscal stimulus.
The PM has flagged spending plans that are “targeted, modest and scalable”. This likely means some help for the sectors most affected by the pandemic at present — higher education and tourism.
Morrison was quick to emphasise that “we’re not a government that engages in extreme fiscal responses”. Translation: I’m no Kevin Rudd and I’m not going to start cutting $1000 cheques.


crikey--2020-03-02--Why Shorten really lost. Four new things to learn about last year’s election

Why Shorten really lost .
Four new things to learn about last year ’ s election Party Animals retells the @ @ @ @ @ loss at last year 's election .
Crikey looks at the biggest revelations .
Samantha @ @ @ @ @ out today , is a brisk and highly readable account of the lead up to @ @ @ @ @ losing 2019 's unloseable election .

Samantha Maiden’s Party Animals, out today, is a brisk and highly readable account of the lead up to Labor’s legendary achievement of losing 2019’s unloseable election.
It’s a great look behind the curtain at the dark arts of an election campaign.
Here are some of Maiden’s biggest revelations:


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

The West spirals as a virus reveals the perils of globalisation Globalisation has turned the planet into a giant petri @ @ @ @ @ the joint , we just live here .
For the moment .
It 's closing @ @ @ @ @ remains on lockdown , there 's a case in Tasmania , there 's a second @ @ @ @ @ the shelves are emptying of essential supplies , the stock-market is tanking ...

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--2020-03-02--Were our spies compromised by Balibo? New book reveals more sordid history

Were our spies compromised by Balibo ?
New book reveals more sordid history In a new book exposing Australia 's @ @ @ @ @ exploit Timor-Leste 's natural resources , Bernard Collaery reveals a stunning act of billion-dollar theft @ @ @ @ @ undermines the official story around the murders of the Balibo Five .
For decades , @ @ @ @ @ denied having any foreknowledge that the Balibo Five were at risk from Indonesian forces .

For decades, Australia’s intelligence services have denied having any foreknowledge that the Balibo Five were at risk from Indonesian forces.
Intelligence services ostensibly only learnt shortly afterwards that the five — journalists working in then-Portuguese Timor in October 1975, reporting on secret Indonesian military activity — had been murdered by Indonesian special forces.
But Oil Under Troubled Water, a new book by Bernard Collaery, presents a strong case that Australian spies knew that Indonesia regarded the journalists as a “hurdle to be got over” before Indonesian military preparations could ramp up ahead of its December 1975 invasion, beginning a quarter-century occupation of the province.


crikey--2020-03-03--The government can’t launch a GFC-style stimulus package. There’s too much crow to eat

The government can ’ t launch a GFC-style stimulus package .
There ’ s too much crow to eat Now @ @ @ @ @ needing a new economic stimulus package , we look back at senior Libs ' criticism @ @ @ @ @ stimulus .
Yesterday , Crikey questioned if a stimulus package could be effective in combating @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .

Yesterday, Crikey questioned if a stimulus package could be effective in combating the economic effects of the coronavirus.
But we also noted the importance the government places on attacking Labor’s 2009 stimulus package, the one that essentially saved Australia from a GFC-inspired recession.
Today, and with the threat of a virus-led global slowdown on all our minds, we thought it worth recording what senior Liberals have said about the Rudd-Swan-Henry intervention.


crikey--2020-03-03--Virus Watch: surveillance, detainment and panic shopping

As Australia sees cases mount , here 's what you need to know about developments in the coronavirus ' spread @ @ @ @ @ first two person-to-person cases of coronavirus .
While context is important -- one was a @ @ @ @ @ caught it from a patient , and the other was the sibling of someone who @ @ @ @ @ it 's still an unwanted landmark on the road to a seemingly inevitable global pandemic @

Australia has recorded its first two person-to-person cases of coronavirus. While context is important — one was a health worker who most likely caught it from a patient, and the other was the sibling of someone who caught it in Iran — it’s still an unwanted landmark on the road to a seemingly inevitable global pandemic.
As the crisis continues, here’s what you need to know.
Panic on the streets of London (and everywhere else)
Supermarkets across the country are reporting that items like toilet paper, paracetamol, hand sanitiser, canned goods and rice — a genre of grocery best described as “bunker fare” that people panic-buy — are selling out en masse.


crikey--2020-03-02--Why Shorten really lost: four new things to learn about last year’s election

Why Shorten really lost : four new things to learn about last year ’ s election Party Animals retells the @ @ @ @ @ loss at last year 's election .
Crikey looks at the biggest revelations .
Samantha @ @ @ @ @ out today , is a brisk and highly readable account of the lead up to @ @ @ @ @ losing 2019 's unloseable election .


crikey--2020-03-04--Christian Porter still hopelessly lost on integrity

Attorney-General Christian Porter does n't even know the basics about anti-corruption bodies — no wonder we 're still waiting for @ @ @ @ @ inadequate integrity commission long after it was announced .
The failure of the Morrison government @ @ @ @ @ proposal for a national integrity body after 15 months of inaction was highlighted yesterday when @ @ @ @ @ by his own bureaucrats over the powers of the body .
In a rare case @ @ @ @ @ avoid admitting their minister had stuffed up , Attorney-General 's Department staff contradicted claims by @ @ @ @ @ could n't have investigated the equivalent of the sports rorts corruption scandal .
Speaking on @ @ @ @ @ Porter defended the fact that the government 's proposed integrity body would have been unable @ @ @ @ @ rorting of the community sport infrastructure grants program , saying `` all corruption and crime @ @ @ @ @ offences , that 's what they do . ''

The failure of the Morrison government to progress its own inadequate proposal for a national integrity body after 15 months of inaction was highlighted yesterday when Attorney-General Christian Porter was humiliated by his own bureaucrats over the powers of the body.
In a rare case of officials being unable to avoid admitting their minister had stuffed up, Attorney-General’s Department staff contradicted claims by Porter that state integrity bodies couldn’t have investigated the equivalent of the sports rorts corruption scandal.
Speaking on the ABC yesterday morning, Porter defended the fact that the government’s proposed integrity body would have been unable to investigate Bridget McKenzie’s rorting of the community sport infrastructure grants program, saying “all corruption and crime commissions have to investigate criminal offences, that’s what they do.”


crikey--2020-03-03--In the name of the virus: here are the government’s new security powers

In the name of the virus : here are the government ’ s new security powers The Biosecurity Act grants @ @ @ @ @ extreme powers to do things that could never be done lawfully — and which we @ @ @ @ @ any other context It ’ s never real until it affects you .
First , @ @ @ @ @ for toilet paper and I ’ m wondering whether my domestic stockpile will suffice .

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--2020-03-04--Virus Watch: bog-roll battles, miracle recoveries and hooking up in a pandemic

Virus Watch : bog-roll battles , miracle recoveries and hooking up in a pandemic Panic buyers have toilet-roll companies working @ @ @ @ @ it time you took a relaxing cruise ?
Here are the coronavirus developments you need @ @ @ @ @ continuing to dominate the news cycle , it 's hard to keep track of the @ @ @ @ @ daily .

With coronavirus continuing to dominate the news cycle, it’s hard to keep track of the hundreds of stories coming out daily.
Crikey takes a look at the tidbits that you may have missed — the good, the bad and the bizarre.
Some feel-good news, finally
Let’s start with some positives.


crikey--2020-03-04--‘Team Australia’? Can stimulus work when Australians don’t trust their government?

‘ Team Australia ’ ?
Can stimulus work when Australians don ’ t trust their government ?
When voters do @ @ @ @ @ are n't happy with our democracy , the chances of a successful response to the @ @ @ @ @ to what happened ten years ago .
In one of the more puerile moments of @ @ @ @ @ impacts of the coronavirus crisis , The Australian Financial Review -- usually the stalwart supporter @ @ @ @ @ and government austerity -- today called for `` Team Australia , a coordinated effort between @ @ @ @ @ Reserve Bank and the big four banks in the face of a global COVID-19 pandemic @ @

In one of the more puerile moments of media coverage of the economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis, The Australian Financial Review — usually the stalwart supporter of punitive interest rate rises and government austerity — today called for “Team Australia, a coordinated effort between the federal government, the Reserve Bank and the big four banks in the face of a global COVID-19 pandemic”.
After yesterday’s interest rate cut, we’re still waiting to see what the federal government brings to the table in terms of fiscal stimulus, with assurances that the rhetorical switch from last week’s key word “modest” to this week’s “measured” reflects a bigger package than previously planned.


crikey--2020-03-05--Polls apart: rumours of Ardern’s demise greatly exaggerated in Australia

Polls apart : rumours of Ardern ’ s demise greatly exaggerated in Australia As New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern visits @ @ @ @ @ would like you to think she 's lagging back home .
The polls say differently @ @ @ @ @ resurgent nationalism and populism , Jacinda Ardern has provided a rare beacon of hope for @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand 's Labour Party out of the wilderness in 2017 .

In an age of resurgent nationalism and populism, Jacinda Ardern has provided a rare beacon of hope for centre-left politics since she led New Zealand’s Labour Party out of the wilderness in 2017.
Even before last year’s Christchurch atrocity, Ardern had established an unusually high international profile due to her youth and the novelty of being the first leader of a western country ever to give birth while in office.
In its wake, she was praised for epitomising a spirit of empathy and inclusiveness that was understood to stand her in contrast to many of her conservative peers.


crikey--2020-03-04--Crown and corona: how the flow of Wuhan high-rollers stopped just in time

Crown and corona : how the flow of Wuhan high-rollers stopped just in time The Crown Resorts scandal is receiving @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus from Wuhan to the world .
A central piece of the ongoing Crown @ @ @ @ @ network of wealthy and well-connected businessmen from Wuhan associated with gaming , racing , hunting @ @ @ @ @

Did investigative journalists help Melbourne and Australia dodge another bullet?
A central piece of the ongoing Crown Casino revelations is a local network of wealthy and well-connected businessmen from Wuhan associated with gaming, racing, hunting and golf in Melbourne.
Following in-depth media investigations of mismanagement at Crown, the largely unregulated movement of people and money from Wuhan came to a halt just ahead of the outbreak of the coronavirus.


crikey--2020-03-05--The world is talking about the wrong virus

The world is talking about the wrong virus As the world panics about the coronavirus , all signs point to @ @ @ @ @ in the sort of dystopia we would be reading about if things had been otherwise @ @ @ @ @ upcoming article , hmm still more to say about this coronavirus stuff , but the @ @ @ @ @ tired .
I really need some sort of news hook to show how every aspect @ @ @ @ @ .
I wonder what 's on the AAP newsfeed .

Looks at notes for upcoming article, hmm still more to say about this coronavirus stuff, but the lead-in is getting a bit tired. I really need some sort of news hook to show how every aspect of life can be undermined. I wonder what’s on the AAP newsfeed.
Ah. That’ll do…
Ten deaths in the US so far that have been announced. Deaths appear to have slowed or ceased in China, but how would we know?
Parts of Italy are a ghost town. Two deaths in Oz. Schools and hospitals possibly being closed. Our bizarre and unique obsession with toilet paper (if it’s not some commercial meme) a welcome diversion for a worried world.
We’ll know in a week or two whether the US’ chaotic process of dealing with the virus has mattered or not.


crikey--2020-03-05--Virus Watch: royal jokes, workers’ fears, and there’s a podcast for that

Virus Watch : royal jokes , workers ’ fears , and there ’ s a podcast for that Workers around @ @ @ @ @ pinch as coronavirus affects jobs and livelihoods ( though the royals still found time to @ @ @ @ @ what you need to know .
The coronavirus fatality rate has leapt to 3.4 % @ @ @ @ @ 3,200 people -- including a 95-year-old woman in NSW , the first in the state @ @ @ @ @ .

The coronavirus fatality rate has leapt to 3.4%, having killed more than 3,200 people — including a 95-year-old woman in NSW, the first in the state and second in Australia overall.
Despite the death toll, the royals have kept up their banter as workers fear the repercussions of being quarantined.
Here are some of the latest developments.


crikey--2020-03-05--The government stopped the boat-stopping boats (and other news you may have missed)

The government stopped the boat-stopping boats ( and other news you may have missed ) The government gave its navy @ @ @ @ @ timed holiday .
In a news-packed week , here are the stories you may have @ @

Stop the Stop the Boats
As usual, Senate estimates were a cavalcade of departmental representatives telling the parliament that they couldn’t recall important details, would have to take things on indefinite notice, and/or have destroyed all their notes on certain things embarrassing to the government.
And thus you might have missed the news that there was something of a blip in the figures for Border Force’s Cape Class patrols last year — information which Labor Senator Kristina Kenneally tabled in senate after receiving via a freedom of information request.
It turns out that around the same time that Peter Dutton was memorably talking about how people smugglers were “champing at the bit” for a Labor victory in May 2019 so they could presumably restart the boats, Home Affairs apparently figured that the patrols deserved to take a little hiatus.


crikey--2020-03-05--Is Australia really one of the freest countries in the world?

Is Australia really one of the freest countries in the world ?
Australia has scored highly in a new report @ @ @ @ @ House .
But things are still far from perfect .
Australia remains one of the @ @ @ @ @ , according to the latest report from global watchdog Freedom House .

Australia remains one of the freest countries in the world, according to the latest report from global watchdog Freedom House.
According to the US government-backed NGO, Australia scored 97/100 on its survey of global political rights and civil liberties.
Only seven countries, including Canada (98), Norway, Sweden and Finland (100 — it’s always Scandinavia!) beat us. Australia and New Zealand (also 97) are the freest countries in our region, according to the report, well ahead of neighbours like Indonesia (61), Papua New Guinea (62) and Fiji (60).


crikey--2020-03-05--What’s the chance of a successful crisis response from a corrupt, denialist government?

What ’ s the chance of a successful crisis response from a corrupt , denialist government ?
After estimates this @ @ @ @ @ a corrupt and confused government to deal with a major crisis ?
Point by point @ @ @ @ @ a picture emerged this week of just how ugly things are for Australia .

Point by point, brushstroke by brushstroke, a picture emerged this week of just how ugly things are for Australia.
Senate estimates further revealed how deeply corrupt this government is, and how entirely indifferent it is to basic integrity.
The Australian Sports Commission misled a Senate committee over the crucial issues of changes made to the rorted grants program after caretaker mode kicked in on April 11 last year.


crikey--2020-03-05--The quest for stimulus: the when, where, how and how much of saving the economy

The quest for stimulus : the when , where , how and how much of saving the economy Despite its @ @ @ @ @ the Morrison government may find itself cutting cheques to households after all .
After a @ @ @ @ @ Morrison , Treasurer Josh Frydenberg , Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe and deputy governor Guy @ @ @ @ @ the federal government will enact some kind of fiscal stimulus to stem the fallout of @ @ @ @

After a meeting between Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe and deputy governor Guy Debelle it has become clear the federal government will enact some kind of fiscal stimulus to stem the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frydenberg said it would have to “have a B in front of it”, suggesting that the stimulus would be in the billions of dollars. Many economists think it might be around $4 billion initially.
It is good to see the government realise that in times of economic crisis a responsible government should not fetishise a balanced budget, and instead fill some of the lost demand and support affected businesses.


crikey--2020-03-06--How the coronavirus discriminates by gender

While the coronavirus outbreak is infecting men and women equally , the effects of the pandemic may skew against women @ @ @ @ @ the lives of thousands globally , with repercussions across almost every sector .
But often @ @ @ @ @ is left unexplored : the different effect the virus will have on men and women @

Coronavirus has claimed the lives of thousands globally, with repercussions across almost every sector. But often during a pandemic one area is left unexplored: the different effect the virus will have on men and women.
It’s early days in the outbreak, and so far too early to have solid statistics on infection and death. So far, we know men make up a slight majority of cases (51%) and that the overall fatality rate has risen to 3.4% (much higher than previously thought).
While the World Health Organisation doesn’t have a breakdown of deaths by gender, the Chinese Centre for Disease Control has reported there is a huge difference in fatality rate — 1.7% for women and 2.8% for men (though this figure only accounts for cases in China and hasn’t taken developments since early February into account).


crikey--2020-03-06--Virus Watch: the end of Honest Abe, and a novel solution to the bog roll crisis

Virus Watch : the end of Honest Abe , and a novel solution to the bog roll crisis Could coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ first major political scalp ?

The end of Honest Abe?
Could coronavirus be about to claim its first major political scalp? There are widespread calls for the resignation of Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe.
After weeks of inaction, Abe’s sudden decision to close the nation’s schools for a month was poorly received.
Japan has struggled to roll out testing for the virus, managing only 900 patients per day while neighbouring countries test up to 10,000. Japan’s former health minister Yoichi Masuzoe said the handling of virus had been “so disastrous” because Abe “has stayed too long in power”.


crikey--2020-03-06--Beyond shaming: women who campaign for men ‘resent gender narratives’

Beyond shaming : women who campaign for men ‘ resent gender narratives ’ Prominent women are coming out swinging for @ @ @ @ @ of 'men 's rights ' .
Are they motivated by fairness , or is there @ @ @ @ @ commentator Bettina Arndt continues to make headlines with her controversial claims about domestic violence , @ @ @ @ @ campaign for men are becoming a hot topic for debate .

As conservative commentator Bettina Arndt continues to make headlines with her controversial claims about domestic violence, it seems that women who campaign for men are becoming a hot topic for debate.
Crikey takes a look at some of Australia’s more prominent figures and asks: what motivates them?
Modern feminism in the crosshairs
Online conservative commentator Sydney Watson is one such men’s rights activist.


crikey--2020-03-06--Mainstream party or progressive coalition? Choose, Labor, choose

After Anthony Albanese 's performance as Mardi Gras , it 's clear Labor needs to pick a lane and stick @ @ @ @ @ ago , a friend remonstrated with me over my characterisation of Labor 's leaders as @ @ @ @ @ Sure , most of them , but not Albo .
He never played the game @ @ @ @ @ later from The Australian :

Several weeks ago, a friend remonstrated with me over my characterisation of Labor’s leaders as ageing student politicians. “Sure, most of them, but not Albo. He never played the game.” Cue several weeks later from The Australian:
“Screaming socialists at the Mardi Gras“.
Anthony Albanese has been filmed flipping the bird at etc etc…


crikey--2020-03-05--Australia is one of the world’s freest countries, but plenty of work remains

Australia is one of the world ’ s freest countries , but plenty of work remains Australia has scored highly @ @ @ @ @ global freedom watchdog Freedom House .
But things are still far from perfect .
Australia @ @ @ @ @ countries in the world , according to the latest report from global watchdog Freedom House @


crikey--2020-03-05--Another sad, sorry week for this denialist government

Another sad , sorry week for this denialist government After estimates this week , can anyone trust a corrupt and @ @ @ @ @ a major crisis ?
Point by point , brushstroke by brushstroke , a picture emerged @ @ @ @ @ ugly things are for Australia .


crikey--2020-03-08--No work for university staff as Australia awaits stimulus package

No work for university staff as Australia awaits stimulus package Universities may get some form of bailout from a coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ 's unlikely to help the large number of casual workers employed in the sector .
@ @ @ @ @ come soon enough for university workers , who have already had their shifts cut and @ @ @ @ @ sector following the coronavirus outbreak .
Some employees say they 've been offered similar positions @ @ @ @ @ original salary .

Funding relief can’t come soon enough for university workers, who union officials say have already had their shifts cut and contracts rescinded across the education sector following the coronavirus outbreak, with some staff offered lesser-paying online roles instead.
While the government plans to release a stimulus package this week, it’s expected casual employees — many of whom have not had a paycheck since November, the end of the university year — won’t directly benefit.
University staff hit the hardest
Multiple staff members at Monash University in Victoria have had their contracts rescinded this week as the university deals with a drop in international students following the coronavirus.


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

Virus Watch : market rout , workers ’ rights , and kids will be kids The stock market has tumbled @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus grow .

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


crikey--2020-03-09--Should the government save the national newswire from going under?

Should the government save the national newswire from going under ?
How could the government replace or support AAP if @ @ @ @ @ There are mechanisms for doing it — but they come with a potentially significant impact @ @ @ @ @ could the government either save Australian Associated Press ( AAP ) or support a similar @ @ @ @ @ same role of providing basic public interest journalism to media outlets ?
And should it @

How could the government either save Australian Associated Press (AAP) or support a similar entity that would play the same role of providing basic public interest journalism to media outlets? And should it?
As the media industry has come under existential threat from the internet, and latterly Google and Facebook in particular, there have been increasing calls for government support for the industry. Given the Australian media cheered on policymakers in the 1980s and 1990s to remove protection and support from other industries like manufacturing, such calls look richly ironic.
But the importance of public interest journalism in a democracy, even when people won’t pay for it, is recognised as having a stronger case than the demands of other industries for government support. And governments for decades have recognised the media as a special case: not merely have they funded first one, then a second national broadcaster, but tight regulation of the ownership and operations of broadcasters was accepted as important to democracy.


crikey--2020-03-08--India’s drug decision signals  headache for Australian patients

India is one of the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturers , and sources a lot of ingredients from China .
Australia is @ @ @ @ @ chains for access to pharmaceutical drugs .
And there are already signs that shortages may @ @ @ @ @

Australia is heavily reliant on overseas supply chains for access to pharmaceutical drugs. And there are already signs that shortages may be on the way.
Last week India, the world’s main supplier of generic drugs, restricted the export of 26 pharmaceutical ingredients and the medicines made from them — including paracetamol.
This is due to supply chain interruptions from the coronavirus. India is one of the biggest manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, and sources a lot of raw ingredients from China.


crikey--2020-03-08--Work dries up for casuals as education sector tallies up virus costs

Work dries up for casuals as education sector tallies up virus costs Universities may get some form of bailout from @ @ @ @ @ but it 's unlikely to help the large number of casual workers employed in the @ @ @ @ @ ’ t come soon enough for university workers , who union officials say have already @ @ @ @ @ contracts rescinded across the education sector following the coronavirus outbreak , with some staff offered @ @ @ @ @


crikey--2020-03-09--Business Briefs: the upside of a market crash

A crash is disastrous for many .
But for some , especially young people , this correction is a big @ @

Good news for the young?
As always, when a grotesquely overpriced market regains a sense of normality, the media narrative is of complete disaster. It exclaims about how much money has been “lost”, as if it really ever existed in the first place.
Of course, a crash is disastrous for some. For example: over-leveraged speculators or the small number of people who planned to sell equities to fund their lifestyle. For many though, especially younger people, the market retreating from irrationally high levels is a cause for celebration (see also: the property market).
Young people who don’t have the majority of their wealth tied to equities or real assets now have a chance to purchase companies at a more reasonable price (specifically, a lower multiple of earnings). For every loser, there is a winner — just don’t expect to read about it.


crikey--2020-03-09--Pandemic gives the right a dose of its own medicine

Pandemic gives the right a dose of its own medicine The coronavirus is forcing those on the right to face @ @ @ @ @ .

Good God. It’s really happened.
For years, those of us who believe in, y’know, science, have cursed the fact that climate change deniers would never be fully confronted with the consequences of global warming. Even as the horizon of catastrophic occurrence has gotten closer, you just know that mass glacial melts, sudden methane releases from permafrost thaws, sharp heat upticks in the tropical belt, etc, etc can all be dismissed as unprovable consequences.
If only, one thought, there was a way in which the consequences would be so utterly direct as to…


crikey--2020-03-09--How a coronavirus expert is preparing for a COVID-19 pandemic

Cut out handshakes , and grab some latex gloves and lozenges .
American pathologist James Robb was one of the first molecular virologists to study coronaviruses in the 1970s .
He sent this email to family and friends about how he ’ s preparing for the spread of COVID-19 .
Here is what I have done and the precautions that I take and will take .
These are the same precautions I currently use during our influenza seasons , except for the mask and gloves : 1 .
NO HANDSHAKING !
Use a fist bump , slight bow , elbow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches , elevator buttons , etc .
Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove .
3 .
Open doors with your closed fist or hip — do not grasp the handle with your hand , unless there is no other way to open the door .
Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors .
4 .
Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available , including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts .
5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seconds and/or use a greater than 60 % alcohol-based hand sanitiser whenever you return home from any activity that involves locations where other people have been .
6 .
Keep a bottle of sanitiser available at each of your home ’ s entrances and in your car for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can ’ t immediately wash your hands .
7 .
If possible , cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard .
Use your elbow only if you have to .
The clothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can be passed on for up to a week or more !
What I have stocked in preparation 1 .
Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping , using the gasoline pump , and all other outside activities when you come in contact with contaminated areas .
Note : this virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing .
This means that the air will not infect you !
BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be contaminated and potentially infectious .
The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon .
This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells ( it only infects your lungs ) .
The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze on to or in to your nose or mouth .
2 .
Stock up now with disposable surgical masks and use them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouth ( We touch our nose and mouth 90 times a day without knowing it ! )
.
This is the only way this virus can infect you — it is lung-specific .
The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth — it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth .
3 .
Stock up now with hand sanitisers and latex/nitrile gloves ( get the appropriate sizes for your family ) .
The hand sanitisers must be alcohol-based and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective .
4 .
Stock up now with zinc lozenges .
These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus ( and most other viruses ) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx .
Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel any “ cold-like ” symptoms beginning .
It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx .
Cold-EEZE lozenges is one brand available , but there are other brands available .
I , as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be reasonably contained , BUT I personally do not think it will be .
Humans have never seen this snake-associated virus before and have no internal defence against it .
Tremendous worldwide efforts are being made to understand the molecular and clinical virology of this virus .
Unbelievable molecular knowledge about the genomics , structure , and virulence of this virus has already been achieved .
But there will be no drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us .
Only symptomatic support is available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be helpful during this potentially catastrophic pandemic .
You are welcome to share this email .
Good luck to all of us !
Dr James Robb is a virologist and pathologist .
He studied coronaviruses while a professor of pathology at the University of California , San Diego , in the late 1970s .

American pathologist James Robb was one of the first molecular virologists to study coronaviruses in the 1970s. He sent this email to family and friends about how he’s preparing for the spread of COVID-19.
Here is what I have done and the precautions that I take and will take. These are the same precautions I currently use during our influenza seasons, except for the mask and gloves:
1. NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.


crikey--2020-03-09--Who are the 75 Australian ‘scientists and professionals’ who say there is no climate emergency?

Who is behind the latest petition attempting to throw doubt on the science of climate change — and who are the Australian signatories ?
Periodically , petitions containing the signatures of “ scientists ” who are sceptical of human-induced global warming emerge , which seek to counter the views of climate scientists .
Liberal backbencher Craig Kelly highlighted one such recent petition on Facebook in October .
“ WHY ARE THEY IGNORING 500 SCIENTISTS & PROFESSIONALS ?
” Kelly ’ s post began , which reproduced in full a petition known as the European Climate Declaration , declaring there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to say that Labor “ denied the science and joined the climate crazies declaring a ‘ climate emergency ' ” .
A letter to the UN Secretary General which accompanied the petition introduced the signatories as “ knowledgeable and experienced scientists and professionals in climate and related fields ” .
The list of signatories on the petition includes 75 Australians — the second highest number of any country .
So , who is behind the petition and who are the Australian signatories ?
And how many are scientists ?
Since Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been re-released with over 700 signatories , including 109 Australians , and rebadged the “ World Climate Declaration ” .
Fact Check ’ s investigation focuses on the version presented by Kelly in October , 2019 .
The document lists 14 ECD “ ambassadors ” from different locations .
A number of them have been active in the climate sceptic community for many years .
Australia ’ s representative , Viv Forbes , has been writing sceptical articles for over a decade .
He is the administrator of long-running climate sceptic blog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive director of climate sceptic organisation the Saltbush Club , which was constituted in November 2018 to “ change the climate of public opinion , thus changing the political agenda ” .
A document listing the “ founding members ” of the Saltbush Club , says of Forbes : Guus Berkhout , from the Netherlands , is one of the founders of climate sceptic organisation , Clintel , which was founded this year and is the progenitor of the petition .
On his website , Berkout lists professional experience as a professor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
His biography also details his time working for petroleum company Shell in the 1960s and 1970s .
There are a number of notable Australians listed in the petition , including : • Ian Plimer , an academic geologist who is a prominent climate sceptic • Des Moore , a former deputy secretary of the Federal Treasury .
The petition can be read in full here , including the full list of 75 Australian names .
Fact Check attempted to contact each Australian signatory to the petition to verify that they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The majority we were unable to contact .
We asked Berkhout to provide contact details for each Australian signatory .
He declined , citing privacy reasons .
Fact Check also asked Forbes for help in this endeavour ; he also declined .
In an email , Forbes speculated that “ most of [ the signatories ] would hang up quickly if you phoned them and explained your purpose as most of them would have zero faith in the ABC to be impartial .
They would see it as just another sneaky aspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of climate alarmism ” .
Nonetheless , Fact Check was able to source contact details for just over a third of the signatories .
Through phone interviews and correspondence on the internet , we were able to verify the identities of 29 out of 75 .
We spoke to 22 via phone , of whom two hung up before completing the full interview .
However , we were able to confirm that each of these signatories did indeed sign the petition .
A further four corresponded with us via email , and another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were unable to contact , and therefore , unable to verify .
The vast majority of these we were unable to find contact details for .
However , some were contacted and did not respond to requests for an interview , including Emeritus Professor Plimer , with whom we left several voicemails .
Further investigation online revealed an organisational connection between many of the signatories .
The names of 38 of the Australian signatories ( 50.7 % ) are listed as founding members of the Saltbush Club in a document found on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which ECD representative Viv Forbes is executive director .
A further 11 ( 14.7 % ) are listed as supporting members in a separate document .
That ’ s a total of 49 ( 65.3 % ) who have open association with the club .
Details of these 49 in the Saltbush documents matched the name and biographical details in the petition .
Ellis is listed as the chairman of the organisation , and Morgan and Emeritus Professor Plimer are listed among its five “ founders ” .
The organisation advocates withdrawing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit a rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels .
The group counts both former Liberal National Party Queensland premier Campbell Newman and current LNP Queensland state MP Colin Boyce amongst its founding members , as well as former federal Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm and mining magnate Gina Rinehart .
None of these people are signatories of the petition .
When asked how they heard about the petition , many of the signatories we spoke to were unable to recall .
Some said it came from Forbes himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it through the Saltbush Club .
Others said they were contacted by Berkhout directly .
Two signatories Fact Check spoke to over the phone mentioned that they had heard about the petition through the Saltbush Club , despite not being listed as founding or supporting members .
The organisation ’ s list of founding members mentions that there is a “ silent list ” of members who do not wish to be identified , and “ an even longer list of people on our mail lists who also prefer anonymity ” .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which petition we were referring to at the beginning of the interview .
One signatory remarked that he had signed over 30 petitions related to climate change , but lamented that “ politicians don ’ t pay attention to them ” .
Many of them have scientific backgrounds , but significant numbers work in fields unrelated to climate science .
In a letter to the United Nations from Berkhout dated September 23 , 2019 , the 506 signatories of the petition are introduced as “ knowledgeable and experienced scientists and professionals in climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an examination of the declared professions of the signatories on the petition reveals that many of their professional occupations are unrelated to climate change , or even the environment .
The Australian contingent includes a barrister and solicitor , a radiologist , a managing director of a winery , a retired aircraft engineer , a security engineer and an “ astro economist ” .
One of the signatories on the list , P.C .
Wilson , is referred to as a former ABC journalist from Queensland .
Fact Check was unable to source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name and location .
We asked both Berkhout and Forbes to explain how these people in professions unrelated to climate science are qualified to comment on climate science .
Neither responded .
Through descriptions on the petition , or through further investigations and interviews , we identified that 22 ( 29.3 % ) of the signatories claimed a current or former connection to the mining industry , among them Ellis and Morgan .
Fact Check contacted Ellis via an email supplied by one of the other signatories to confirm his signature , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phone that he signed the document , but terminated the call after further questioning .
Twenty ( 26.7 % ) of the signatories said they were geologists or retired geologists of some sort , either on the petition itself , when interviewed by Fact Check , or in information listed on the Saltbush Club website .
An analysis of the broader international field of signatories was conducted by agroecologist Amber Kerr , from the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at the University of California , as part of an analysis for International Fact Checking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kerr noted that 19 % of the of the signatories were described as geologists and 22 % were described as engineers — these were the most prevalent groups across the petition .
She also highlighted the lack of gender diversity on the list : “ Among the 506 names , only 24 were female names ( with another 15 that were initials-only or unisex ) .
” Of the Australian contingent , there are two female names on the list — Marjorie Curtis and Judy Ryan .
Fact Check was only successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to an emailed request for an interview .
There were also four others who had names which were ambiguous , or only initials , for which we could not verify their gender .
That leaves 69 signatories who are men , not counting those who are undetermined — or 92.0 % , and only 2.7 % confirmed to be women .
The question of who can call themselves a scientist is a vexed one .
Fact Check contacted the Australian Academy of Science for advice on this matter .
The spokesman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two statements , which are reproduced in full here .
The spokesman told Fact Check that peer-reviewed research was an important indicator : “ A scientist generally refers to any individual who has conducted peer reviewed research in a scientific discipline , has relevant tertiary qualifications and training , applies and understands the scientific process , participates in peer review , and has demonstrated expertise in their area of science.
” Fact Check asked the academy whether someone with a science qualification who works in the private sector , such as a mining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but rather used for commercial purposes , would still be considered a scientist .
The spokesman replied : “ A mining geologist with relevant tertiary qualifications and training is a scientist .
They use the scientific process and they have relevant expertise.
” “ However , if their science is not open to the scrutiny of the scientific community at large , it must necessarily be treated with a certain level of scepticism .
A scientist talking about unpublished data or proprietary results , in any setting , would be treated with caution.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether or not they had published peer-reviewed research of any type .
Eight respondents replied that they had , with two responding ambiguously .
We were only able to find peer-reviewed research attributed to seven of them .
A further five of those we were unable to speak with have peer-reviewed research available online , which corresponded with their names and any former or current academic positions , as listed on the petition .
Twelve respondents confirmed that they had not published any peer-reviewed research .
That leaves a further 47 who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not find any peer-reviewed research .
It should be noted however , that at least one signatory who we spoke with , Matthew J. Fagan , the founder and president of FastCAM Inc , while not having published any peer-reviewed research , holds a number of patents .
A number of the signatories have published research related to climate change , in a peer-reviewed journal named Energy and Environment .
Energy and Environment has promoted itself in the past as a publisher of climate sceptic articles .
Its editor until 2017 was Sonja @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 that “ I ’ m not ashamed to say that I deliberately encourage the publication of papers that are sceptical of climate change ” .
Fact Check was able to confirm that five of the signatories have published peer-reviewed climate papers in the journal .
They include : • Tom Quirk , who is identified as a nuclear physicist in the petition , published climate-related papers in the journal and in the Asia-Pacific Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences between 2009 and 2015 • Ridd , who has also published in the journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whilst at James Cook University , according to his research profile on the university ’ s website • John McLean , who published in the journal in 2006 .
McLean published his PhD thesis at James Cook University in 2017 under Ridd ’ s supervision • C.D .
Ollier , who has published a number of climate-related papers in the journal , listed on his academic profile University of Western Australia , where he is listed as an honorary research fellow • David Archibald , who published a peer-reviewed climate paper in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for assessing whether someone is qualified to comment on science is whether they hold , or have held , an academic position at a university .
From the list , we were able to confirm only 10 signatories who hold or have formerly held positions attached to a university .
Seven of these we were able to contact directly .
Their positions were related to organic chemistry , geophysics , oceanography , anthropology and archaeology , grain science and geology , among others .
One notable signatory among this cohort is Ridd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University in 2018 , caused controversy .
The university alleged that he breached its code of conduct .
Ridd won an unfair dismissal case against JCU in the Federal Circuit Court last year ; the university was ordered to pay Ridd $ 1.2 million , but is appealing the decision .
In her analysis for Climate Feedback , Kerr noted that only 10 of the global signatories on the petition identified as climate scientists and four as meteorologists .
Of those on the Australian list we were able to contact , Ridd was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or former academic position who Fact Check could verify has published peer-reviewed science related to climate change .
To sum up , Fact Check was able to verify that 14 of the Australian signatories either held an academic position or published peer-reviewed research .
Nine of them had done both .
Eleven either told us they had neither held an academic position or published peer-reviewed research .
For the remaining 50 , we found no academic position or peer-reviewed research , or were unable to independently verify an academic position or peer-reviewed research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries find ?
Apart from Climate Feedback , several other fact checking outlets in other countries have published research on the background of the signatories .
German fact checkers Correctiv checked an earlier version of the petition , which was released in September .
They found that three of the 13 German signatories at the time had direct links to climate sceptic group the European Institute for Climate and Energy .
Six others had indirect links to the organisation .
They also found some of the biographical information of the German signatories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and false , including unverified professorships .
The only country with more signatories on the petition than Australia is Italy , with 113 on the list .
Italy ’ s Pagella Politica found that the European Climate Declaration owes much to its Italian signatories .
One recounted to Pagella Politica that its genesis was a petition begun in Italy , before snippets were sent to Berkhout , who had the idea of making it a European petition .
Quebecois ( French Canadian ) fact checkers Decrypteurs noted that many of the signatories worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And among the 19 Belgian signatories , fact checkers at Belgian magazine Knack found that six of them had previously published climate sceptic articles on Doorbaak.be , a right-wing nationalist opinion site .
Not one of the 19 signatories was found by Knack to be a climate scientist .
As previously mentioned , the petition declares that there is no climate emergency — and lays out six broad points , each with an explanation — of opposition to the established consensus on climate change : • Natural as well as anthropogenic factors cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicted • CO2 is plant food , the basis of all life on earth Fact Check has not explored the veracity of these claims for this article .
However , six scientists , enlisted by Climate Feedback reviewed the claims shortly after the petition was released .
In the summary of Climate Feedback ’ s review it says :

Periodically, petitions containing the signatures of “scientists” who are sceptical of human-induced global warming emerge, which seek to counter the views of climate scientists.
Liberal backbencher Craig Kelly highlighted one such recent petition on Facebook in October.
“WHY ARE THEY IGNORING 500 SCIENTISTS & PROFESSIONALS?” Kelly’s post began, which reproduced in full a petition known as the European Climate Declaration, declaring there is “no climate emergency”.


crikey--2020-03-10--Virus Watch: pandemic protocol, bloopers and unruly French Smurfs

At what point is COVID-19 officially declared a pandemic ?
As stocks tumble and US President Donald Trump tries to @ @ @ @ @ virus , Crikey takes a look at what 's going on around the world .

As stocks tumble and US President Donald Trump tries to diminish the seriousness of the virus, Crikey takes a look at what’s going on around the world.
Is this a pandemic?
The threat of coronavirus becoming a pandemic is now “very real“, representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO) have warned. But they’ve avoided categorising it as one just yet, due to uncertainty about the disease’s impact.
CNN has decided to call the coronavirus a pandemic anyway, with hosts saying the virus has a “range and rate which clearly meets the definition”.


crikey--2020-03-09--It’s now about trust as much as it is about stimulus. Why the federal government must reset

The government must do more than unveil a stimulus package — it must show investors , voters and business that @ @ @ @ @ deal with a crisis .
Australia is now in the grip of an economic panic @ @ @ @ @ trusted government in our history trying desperately to respond .
Something bigger than a stimulus @ @ @ @ @ government needs to reset its entire focus in order to restore calm and convince consumers @ @ @ @ @ it is capable of leading the country .

Australia is now in the grip of an economic panic and we have the least trusted government in our history trying desperately to respond. Something bigger than a stimulus package is needed — the government needs to reset its entire focus in order to restore calm and convince consumers, investors and workers that it is capable of leading the country.
Stock markets aren’t the real economy, by any stretch, but when the unmistakeable smell of panic starts wafting from them, it alerts citizens in the real world that something frightening is happening, something beyond a couple of dopes fighting in a supermarket over toilet paper.
The fact that the government’s mates and donors in big fossil fuel companies are among the most prominent victims of the ASX panic should drive home to the government that its efforts to instil a sense of calm and control so far have come to nought.


crikey--2020-03-10--The Wuhan connection: how two determined women hurdled Chinese red tape

The Wuhan connection : how two determined women hurdled Chinese red tape Charity distribution networks in China are rife with @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak threatening lives , two women in Australia managed to cut through the red @ @ @ @ @ Lecturer Dr Zhanming ( Ming ) Liang ( third from left ) with staff at @ @ @ @ @ Image : La Trobe University ) The Australian Hubei Chamber of Commerce and the Hubei @ @ @ @ @ best known for their association with `` junket '' operators , ferrying high-roller VIPs between @ @ @ @ @ Crown Casino .

The Australian Hubei Chamber of Commerce and the Hubei Association of Melbourne are probably best known for their association with “junket” operators, ferrying high-roller VIPs between Wuhan and Melbourne’s Crown Casino.
They are also known around town for gala events and sponsorship of cultural performances, including the PLA-inspired musical Red Guards on Honghu Lake performed in Melbourne in 2018.
Less well known is their capacity for charitable fundraising and getting things done for a good purpose.


crikey--2020-03-12--Christchurch one year on: Australia’s missed opportunity to fight the far right

Twelve months on from the Christchurch terror attacks , has anything changed ?
A year ago , Australia should ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
For years , Islamophobia had slowly been normalised and integrated into the mainstream .
@ @ @ @ @ extremism had been festering away in the bleak corners of the internet , shielded behind @ @ @ @ @ dark humour , and incomprehensible memes .

A year ago, Australia should’ve had a wake-up call. For years, Islamophobia had slowly been normalised and integrated into the mainstream. And for years, far-right extremism had been festering away in the bleak corners of the internet, shielded behind a facade of irony, dark humour, and incomprehensible memes.
But all that came brutally rushing to the surface when an Australian man murdered 51 Muslims in Christchurch during Friday prayers, while streaming the attack to the world.
In the days after the attack, New Zealanders felt their country had changed — the innocent fantasy of a liberal multicultural paradise shattered in minutes. In Australia, too, we ought to have felt something like that. The terrorist had been raised and radicalised on Australian soil.


crikey--2020-03-12--Here’s a word for any event organiser to consider: negligence

Here ’ s a word for any event organiser to consider : negligence It ’ s a brave event organiser @ @ @ @ @ the gates amid a coronavirus pandemic .
COVID-19 is , as befits a global pandemic @ @ @ @ @ globe .

COVID-19 is, as befits a global pandemic, creating pandemonium across the globe.
As perfectly described by Crikey’s Charlie Lewis on Twitter, “2020 is increasingly becoming just a series of audience suggestions at a shitty improv night”.
Such a situation will naturally produce some stark contrasts. While the US closed off Europe, India closed its borders and Italy closed itself down. Football matches were played to empty stadiums, and the NBA didn’t happen at all.


crikey--2020-03-12--What’s better than one opposition party? (And other news you may have missed)

What ’ s better than one opposition party ?
( And other news you may have missed ) A fight @ @ @ @ @ NT , while across the border the worms are coming for Queensland .
In a @ @ @ @ @ the stories you may have missed .

Who’s on second?
With mere months until the NT election in August, there’s a fun question being debated in the territory’s legislative chambers: who the hell is the opposition?
Normally that’s a pretty easy question to answer: the party with the most seats is the government, the party with the second-most seats is the opposition, and everyone else is the crossbench — the crazy diamonds that make our parliamentary system shine on.
The problem in the Northern Territory is that there’s currently a tie for second place thanks to the wandering allegiances of Jeff Collins, member for Fong Lim.


crikey--2020-03-12--Were Craig Kelly’s stats correct during the bushfire crisis?

Were Craig Kelly ’ s stats correct during the bushfire crisis ?
Craig Kelly really made the rounds during the @ @ @ @ @ data did n't fully back up his claims ...

The claim
At the height of Australia’s recent bushfire crisis, Liberal backbencher Craig Kelly made the rounds of national and international media outlets.
In a combative exchange with meteorologist Laura Tobin on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Kelly argued against the long-term drying out of the Australian landscape.
Tobin said: “Australia have just had, in 2019, their highest year temperature-wise ever recorded and their driest year ever recorded, with forecasts and temperatures that go back over 100 years.”