crikey--2020-05-18--Worm: China supports 'comprehensive review'

Good morning , early birds .
Chinese President Xi Jinping announces support for a comprehensive review once the pandemic is under control , and Angus Taylor is set to release a climate policy review today .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
The ABC reports that , at the World Health Assembly in Geneva , Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced support for a “ comprehensive review ” into the COVID-19 outbreak once the pandemic has been brought under control .
Xi , who maintains his government has acted with “ openness and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or take the arrest of Dr Li Wenliang — also committed US $ 2 billion ( $ 3.09b ) over two years towards the response , and has pledged that any vaccine developed in China would be made globally available .
PS : In entirely unrelated news , China has also slapped Australian barley imports with a five-year , 80 % tariff that will effectively wipe-out the domestic sales .
According to RenewEconomy , Angus Taylor will today release a climate policy review led by former Origin Energy CEO and Business Council of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has accepted recommendations for the $ 2 billion Emission Reduction Fund to be opened up for carbon capture and storage — which , as Crikey has reported for the past decade , remains a failed , expensive Trojan Horse for fossil fuels — and abatement payments for major industrial emitters .
Taylor also agreed , in principle , for the CEFC and ARENA to become “ technology neutral ” , despite “ clean energy ” literally being in the former ’ s name .
COVID NOT THE CURE : In case anyone was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people might do what governments have otherwise failed to , Scientific American reports the pandemic is forecast to shave roughly 5 % off global emissions this year — which is good but still falls short of targets .
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity has found that a second batch of antibody tests purchased by the federal government are inaccurate , putting the total cost of inaccurate tests at $ 18.9 million .
As The Conversation explained last week , challenges with the antibody tests relate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ i.e .
whether they detect SARS-CoV-2 , and SARS-CoV-2 alone .
Finally , if you think the COVID-19 polls have been rough for Anthony Albanese , spare a thought for poor New Zealand National leader Simon Bridges , who , according to a new Newshub/Reid Research , has seen his support as preferred PM more than halved to 4.5 % .
Conversely , Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has jumped 20.8 points to a record 59.5 approval rating , while the Labour party could easily govern in their own right at 56.5 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner Greens ’ 5.5 % .
• Victoria outlined further details on their $ 2.7 billion Building Works package , a plan to create 3700 direct jobs in education infrastructure , social housing , transports and more .
• In an effort to maintain social distancing as restrictions ease , the NSW government released a COVIDSafe* Transport Plan ( *not affiliated with the app ) .
The government will also send all students back to school from May 25 ( SMH ) .
• The Northern Territory government opened the second round of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recreation Sector Immediate Response and Resilience Package .
• South Australia has outlined that cohorts under the Active Testing Surveillance Framework will include health care workers , residential aged care workers , transport workers , homeless persons , prison inmates , and seasonal workers .
• Finally , the ACT government announced a boost in dog adoptions in April .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Co-opt The Matrix creator ’ s concept for your own weird , far-right political rhetoric at your own risk .
READ ALL ABOUT IT States under pressure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contain coronavirus A quarter of all childcare centres say free scheme won ’ t help them remain viable Celeste Barber ’ s $ 51 million raised for RFS can not be used by other charities , court told PNG minister suing Australian Financial Review for defamation over allegation of corruption New paper calls into question benefits of Swedish strategy On the brink of peril , Australia is left wondering what the mad sheriff has in mind — Peter Hartcher ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ But Canberra sent troops into even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was paying an insurance premium against the day when Australia needed US help .
Now that Australia finds itself facing its most precarious geopolitical situation since World War Two , the insurance policy is looking pretty threadbare.
” Remove these roadblocks and our economy will take off ( $ ) — Judith Sloan ( The Australian ) : “ In the post-pandemic era , there will be an urgent need for Australia to achieve greater self-reliance and build more stable supply chains .
The cheap and easy route of offshoring activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn , this will involve the construction and operation of large-scale projects.
” Greens job and income guarantees seek to end the cruelty of neoliberalism — Asher Moses ( Voice of Action ) : “ The Greens ’ economic recovery plan , released on Monday , is ambitious in that it focuses not just on increased government stimulus in response to the current crisis but also a fundamental reshaping of the economy to tackle climate change and income inequality.
” • The Senate inquiry into the government ’ s COVID-19 response will hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Employment secretaries .

XI AGREES TO COVID INQUIRY
The ABC reports that, at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced support for a “comprehensive review” into the COVID-19 outbreak once the pandemic has been brought under control.
Xi, who maintains his government has acted with “openness and transparency” throughout the pandemic — give or take the arrest of Dr Li Wenliang — also committed US$2 billion ($3.09b) over two years towards the response, and has pledged that any vaccine developed in China would be made globally available.
PS: In entirely unrelated news, China has also slapped Australian barley imports with a five-year, 80% tariff that will effectively wipe-out the domestic sales.
COALITION TO DIRECT CLEAN MONEY TO DIRTY PROJECTS
According to RenewEconomy, Angus Taylor will today release a climate policy review led by former Origin Energy CEO and Business Council of Australia president Grant King.
The government has accepted recommendations for the $2 billion Emission Reduction Fund to be opened up for carbon capture and storage — which, as Crikey has reported for the past decade, remains a failed, expensive Trojan Horse for fossil fuels — and abatement payments for major industrial emitters. Taylor also agreed, in principle, for the CEFC and ARENA to become “technology neutral”, despite “clean energy” literally being in the former’s name.
COVID NOT THE CURE: In case anyone was hoping that locking down roughly 4 billion people might do what governments have otherwise failed to, Scientific American reports the pandemic is forecast to shave roughly 5% off global emissions this year — which is good but still falls short of targets.
THE TROUBLE WITH ANTIBODY TESTS
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity has found that a second batch of antibody tests purchased by the federal government are inaccurate, putting the total cost of inaccurate tests at $18.9 million.
As The Conversation explained last week, challenges with the antibody tests relate to both their accuracy and specificity — i.e. whether they detect SARS-CoV-2, and SARS-CoV-2 alone.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
A BRIDGES TOO FAR
Finally, if you think the COVID-19 polls have been rough for Anthony Albanese, spare a thought for poor New Zealand National leader Simon Bridges, who, according to a new Newshub/Reid Research, has seen his support as preferred PM more than halved to 4.5%.
Conversely, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has jumped 20.8 points to a record 59.5 approval rating, while the Labour party could easily govern in their own right at 56.5% to National’s 30.6% and current-coalition partner Greens’ 5.5%.
STATE WRAP
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
[in response to Ivanka Trump and Elon Musk “taking the red pill”]: Fuck both of you Lilly Wachowski
Co-opt The Matrix creator’s concept for your own weird, far-right political rhetoric at your own risk.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
States under pressure to reopen borders closed in a bid to contain coronavirus
A quarter of all childcare centres say free scheme won’t help them remain viable
Refugee advocates fight proposed laws giving minister power to ban mobile phones in immigration detention
JobKeeper payments being ‘gamed’ ($)
NDIS investigating Ann-Marie Smith’s death as Anglicare confirms carer was subcontracted
Celeste Barber’s $51 million raised for RFS cannot be used by other charities, court told
PNG minister suing Australian Financial Review for defamation over allegation of corruption
How China could stoke iron ore prices ($)
New paper calls into question benefits of Swedish strategy
‘No criminal probe’: Barr pours cold water on Trump’s Obama allegations
THE COMMENTARIAT
On the brink of peril, Australia is left wondering what the mad sheriff has in mind — Peter Hartcher (The Sydney Morning Herald): “But Canberra sent troops into even the dumbest American wars in the belief that it was paying an insurance premium against the day when Australia needed US help. Now that Australia finds itself facing its most precarious geopolitical situation since World War Two, the insurance policy is looking pretty threadbare.”
Remove these roadblocks and our economy will take off ($) — Judith Sloan (The Australian): “In the post-pandemic era, there will be an urgent need for Australia to achieve greater self-reliance and build more stable supply chains. The cheap and easy route of offshoring activities should come to an end. In turn, this will involve the construction and operation of large-scale projects.”
Greens job and income guarantees seek to end the cruelty of neoliberalism — Asher Moses (Voice of Action): “The Greens’ economic recovery plan, released on Monday, is ambitious in that it focuses not just on increased government stimulus in response to the current crisis but also a fundamental reshaping of the economy to tackle climate change and income inequality.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra


crikey--2020-05-19--A Moderna miracle: COVID-19 vaccine test produces promising results

Is a COVID-19 vaccine coming earlier than expected ?
Plus other news from the virus front .
An early study @ @ @ @ @ shown to be effective at kickstarting an immune response against the virus , while Australia @ @ @ @ @ partially effective virus tests .
An experimental COVID-19 vaccine may be safe and effective , @ @ @ @ @ clinical trial .
The vaccine , developed by American biotechnology company Moderna , was tested @ @ @ @ @ received two doses each .
Each volunteer produced neutralising antibodies which stopped the virus from @ @

An early study of a COVID-19 vaccine has shown to be effective at kickstarting an immune response against the virus, while Australia is stuck with millions of partially effective virus tests.
Moderna Miracle
An experimental COVID-19 vaccine may be safe and effective, according to a small human clinical trial.
The vaccine, developed by American biotechnology company Moderna, was tested on eight healthy volunteers who received two doses each. Each volunteer produced neutralising antibodies which stopped the virus from replicating.


crikey--2020-04-07--Cardinal George Pell acquitted, walks free from prison

Australia 's most senior Catholic , George Pell , has been acquitted of child abuse charges in the High Court and will walk free from jail .
George Pell , Australia ’ s most senior Catholic , will walk free after the High Court unanimously acquitted him of a child sex abuse conviction this morning .
In a dramatic decision that brings to an end one of the most high-profile criminal cases Australia has ever seen , the nation ’ s top court held that the jury in Pell ’ s trial , held in late 2018 , “ ought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the applicant ’ s guilt with respect to each of the offences ” .
“ It is evident that there is ‘ a significant possibility that an innocent person has been convicted because the evidence did not establish guilt to the requisite standard of proof ’ , ” the court ’ s judgment said .
Pell was originally convicted of sexual penetration of a child under 16 , and four counts of indecent an indecent act with a child under the age of 16 , relating to an allegation he sexually abused two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick ’ s Cathedral in Melbourne after mass in the 1990s .
Last year , the Victorian Court of Appeal , in a 2:1 decision , upheld the jury verdict .
Last month , Pell ’ s legal team team , led by high-profile Sydney barrister Bret Walker SC , argued that jurors in the original criminal trial should have had reasonable doubt about whether the cardinal committed the alleged acts .
The High Court accepted Walker ’ s arguments , ruling that even if jurors found Pell ’ s accuser credible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as to his guilt , especially in light of unchallenged evidence of opportunity witnesses that were inconsistent with his account .
But despite all the interest in the Pell case , and its place as a momentous episode in Australian legal history , the saga ended with something of a whimper .
Thanks to travel restrictions and social distancing rules , Chief Justice Susan Kiefel delivered the judgment before an almost-empty court in Brisbane , more evidence of how every facet of life has been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Just three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handful waiting at the door .
Gone were the media scrums , the public galleries , the protesters and supporters that had been a feature of Pell ’ s earlier trial .
Pell wasn ’ t in the courtroom either , and waited at Barwon Prison — where he ’ s been jailed for the past 405 days — for his lawyers to read him the news .
After today ’ s judgment , he won ’ t be spending another night there .
Yet even with the acquittal , Pell ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most ardent defenders .
For years , he was the subject of fierce criticism over his handling of systemic child sex abuse in the Catholic Church .
And just last week , the ABC reported that two new accusers alleged Pell had abused them when they were young boys in Ballarat in the 1970s .
Pell ’ s marathon trial may be over .
But the Catholic Church ’ s deep institutional problem with child sex abuse will never go away .
In response to the decision , many raised fears that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for survivors of sexual abuse .
In a statement , Pell said he bore no ill will toward his accuser , adding that the trial was not “ a referendum on the Catholic Church.
” He also praised his lawyers for their “ unwavering resolve to see justice prevail , to throw light on manufactured obscurity and to reveal the truth.
” But for Pell ’ s saunchest defenders , the court provided vindication .
Responding to the news , Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli said the decision “ means the cardinal was wrongly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now free to live his life peaceably within the community.
” News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt , one of Pell ’ s greatest supporters , saw the decision as evidence of the cardinal ’ s innocence .
He ’ ll have the first interview with Pell today , on Sky News .
Update : This article has been updated to include George Pell ’ s statement

George Pell, Australia’s most senior Catholic, will walk free after the High Court unanimously acquitted him of a child sex abuse conviction this morning.
In a dramatic decision that brings to an end one of the most high-profile criminal cases Australia has ever seen, the nation’s top court held that the jury in Pell’s trial, held in late 2018, “ought to have retained a doubt as to the applicant’s guilt with respect to each of the offences”.
“It is evident that there is ‘a significant possibility that an innocent person has been convicted because the evidence did not establish guilt to the requisite standard of proof’,” the court’s judgment said.


crikey--2020-03-25--Trumps wants to relax the US shutdown. We asked a GP for a considered response

If social distancing measures in the USA are relaxed early because 'Our country was not built to be shut down @ @ @ @ @ look like a warm-up act .
Most of the real experts have urged `` go @ @ @ @ @ .
The US president seems to have a different slogan in mind : `` go @ @ @ @ @ then go soft '' .
Trump ’ s flaccid approach -- as a way of @ @ @ @ @ should leave Americans ( and citizens the world over ) alert and very , very @ @ @ @ @ measures in the USA are relaxed early because “ Our country was not built to @ @ @ @ @ Italy could soon look like a warm-up act .

Most of the real experts have urged “go hard, go early”. The US president seems to have a different slogan in mind: “go some of the way, then go soft”.
Trump’s flaccid approach — as a way of saving the US economy — should leave Americans (and citizens the world over) alert and very, very alarmed.
If social distancing measures in the USA are relaxed early because “Our country was not built to be shut down”, Italy could soon look like a warm-up act.


crikey--2020-03-25--Worm: Tasmania's 120-day moratorium on evictions

Good morning , early birds .
Tasmania has announced a 120-day moratorium on evictions , and as Australia records over 2400 COVID-19 cases , the national cabinet has extended testing eligibility .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Tasmania ’ s House of Assembly overnight passed the Liberal government ’ s COVID-19 legislative package , which — on top of granting previously announced emergency powers to the premier , treasurer and attorney-general — also introduced a 120-day moratorium on evictions .
Agreeing to amendments first proposed by the Greens , Building Minister Elise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenants can not be evicted if they are unable to pay rent throughout the pandemic , as well as “ common-sense amendments ” to limit third entrances — i.e .
only urgent repairs and inspections — so as to maintain social distancing .
WHAT ABOUT THE MAINLAND ?
The national cabinet discussed commercial rates last night and is preparing to sign off on new residential measures on Friday , while the Tenants ’ Union of NSW has called for other governments to replicate Tasmania ’ s measures , the ABC reports .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ninth death — a 68-year-old Queensland man — the national cabinet has announced an extension of testing eligibility that covers anyone who has a fever or acute respiratory infection and meets one of the following criteria .
• In a geographically localised area where there is elevated risk of community transmission as defined by the local public health unit .
• Located either where no community transmission is occurring , or in high-risk settings where there are two or more plausibly linked cases , such as : • Hospitalised patients with fever and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at at the discretion of the treating clinicians .
The cabinet also agreed to suspend all non-urgent elective surgery .
IN RELATED NEWS : According to The Age , new University of Sydney modelling suggests Australia can flatten the curve if 80 % of people stay home for three months .
OH ALSO : We need to stop calling 000 for non-emergencies , such as bat break-ins .
According to The Sydney Morning Herald , NSW Police will be able to hand out $ 1000 on-the-spot fines to people — and $ 5000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health orders about gatherings and places .
These cover wedding and funeral restrictions , mass gathering rules and the ban on specific businesses and venues , such as casinos , bars and clubs .
PS : Victoria Police has launched its own 500-strong dedicated taskforce too .
PPS : The residents who can ’ t leave their driveaways without ‘ state hopping ’ have voiced concern about the Queensland border ban — however , as The Guardian reports , the ban is apparently not directed at people who need to cross the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointments .
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been denied bail after arguing a release on remand would lower his risk of catching the coronavirus .
A UK judge ruled that “ as matters stand today this global pandemic does not , of itself , yet provide grounds for Mr Assange ’ s release ” , AAP reports .
His lawyer , Edward Fitzpatrick , has since argued that a May 18 hearing will need to be postponed as witnesses remain quarantined overseas and counsel may not be able to visit Assange in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Sydney Morning Herald , Australia ’ s High Commissioner to the UK George Brandis has overnight urged all Australians living in the country to return home before commercial flights dry-up .
Would that they could , we guess ?
Across the pond , Republicans and Democrats have agreed on a $ 2 trillion stimulus deal that , after round-the-clock negotiations , will be passed through the Senate Wednesday local time .
While full measures are yet to be announced , CNN reports the following were announced prior : • $ 250 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS : While yes , it ’ s a historic day for the US Senate , the news comes only a week after The Daily Beast revealed that Republican Kelly Loeffler , a former CEO of Bitcoin exchange Bakkt , was the second senator after Richard Burr to dump millions of dollars in stock following a White House coronavirus briefing on January 24 .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Choosing a Trump quote is like picking fruit so low hanging it ’ s rotten off the tree… however , him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures by April 12 — for the sake of the economy , by the way , the Easter thing is incidental — is notable in that his timeline would absolutely kill people .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Coronavirus : The world must stick together , says Scott Morrison ( $ ) ‘ No perfect answer to COVID-19 ’ , says chair of panel which had advice rejected Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus , but ‘ remains in good health ’ Cruise ship passengers to be quarantined on Rottnest Island in Western Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers stood down in three days as businesses reel Labor ramps up criticism of govt ’ s handling of COVID-19 Kidney transplants halted due to coronavirus , organs to be discarded ‘ Game-changer ’ : Britain days away from releasing millions of coronavirus finger prick tests Coronavirus : More than ever we ’ re seeking signposts to safety ( $ ) — Niki Savva ( The Australian ) : “ History has mixed lessons for leaders who steer their countries through wars or times of great national trauma .
They are not always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1945 , war-weary Britons turfed out Winston Churchill , voting Labor ’ s Clement Attlee into office in a landslide , partly out of fear the country would return to Depression-era conditions.
” The Australian welfare system has always been needlessly cruel .
Now it ’ s punishing half the country — Tom Hawking ( The Guardian ) : “ Like a lot of people , I called Centrelink on Monday .
After 11 attempts to get through , I was greeted with a message directing me to the MyGov website .
Navigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ d need a customer reference number , which could only be obtained … by phone .
Welcome to the 12 Tasks of Centrelink.
” Can we put a price tag on a life ?
COVID-19 shutdown forces a new look — Eduardo Porter and Jim Tankersley ( The New York Times ) : “ Can we measure the cost of hundreds of thousands of dead ?
President Donald Trump and leading business figures are increasingly questioning the wisdom of a prolonged shutdown of the US economy — already putting millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
” • Scott Morrison will connect with all G20 leaders tonight to discuss the global response to the coronavirus pandemic and , reportedly , urge countries to keep their supply chains functioning .

RENT MORATORIUM
Tasmania’s House of Assembly overnight passed the Liberal government’s COVID-19 legislative package, which — on top of granting previously announced emergency powers to the premier, treasurer and attorney-general — also introduced a 120-day moratorium on evictions.
Agreeing to amendments first proposed by the Greens, Building Minister Elise Archer yesterday announced new measures that mean tenants cannot be evicted if they are unable to pay rent throughout the pandemic, as well as “common-sense amendments” to limit third entrances — i.e. only urgent repairs and inspections — so as to maintain social distancing.
WHAT ABOUT THE MAINLAND? The national cabinet discussed commercial rates last night and is preparing to sign off on new residential measures on Friday, while the Tenants’ Union of NSW has called for other governments to replicate Tasmania’s measures, the ABC reports.
TESTING CRITERIA EXPANDED
As Australia records over 2400 cases and our ninth death — a 68-year-old Queensland man — the national cabinet has announced an extension of testing eligibility that covers anyone who has a fever or acute respiratory infection and meets one of the following criteria.
All health workers.
All aged/residential care workers.
In a geographically localised area where there is elevated risk of community transmission as defined by the local public health unit.
Located either where no community transmission is occurring, or in high-risk settings where there are two or more plausibly linked cases, such as: Aged and residential care; Rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; Detention centres or correctional facilities; Boarding schools; and Military bases (including navy ships) that have live-in accommodation.
Hospitalised patients with fever and acute respiratory symptoms of unknown cause, at at the discretion of the treating clinicians.
The cabinet also agreed to suspend all non-urgent elective surgery.
IN RELATED NEWS: According to The Age, new University of Sydney modelling suggests Australia can flatten the curve if 80% of people stay home for three months.
OH ALSO: We need to stop calling 000 for non-emergencies, such as bat break-ins.
IS FUN REALLY WORTH $1000?
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW Police will be able to hand out $1000 on-the-spot fines to people — and $5000 fines to corporations — that defy public health orders about gatherings and places. These cover wedding and funeral restrictions, mass gathering rules and the ban on specific businesses and venues, such as casinos, bars and clubs.
PS: Victoria Police has launched its own 500-strong dedicated taskforce too.
PPS: The residents who can’t leave their driveaways without ‘state hopping’ have voiced concern about the Queensland border ban — however, as The Guardian reports, the ban is apparently not directed at people who need to cross the border to work, shop or attend medical appointments.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
ASSANGE DENIED BAIL
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been denied bail after arguing a release on remand would lower his risk of catching the coronavirus. A UK judge ruled that “as matters stand today this global pandemic does not, of itself, yet provide grounds for Mr Assange’s release”, AAP reports.
His lawyer, Edward Fitzpatrick, has since argued that a May 18 hearing will need to be postponed as witnesses remain quarantined overseas and counsel may not be able to visit Assange in prison.
A REAL HELP: According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK George Brandis has overnight urged all Australians living in the country to return home before commercial flights dry-up. Would that they could, we guess?
US TO PASS $2 TRILLION STIMULUS
Across the pond, Republicans and Democrats have agreed on a $2 trillion stimulus deal that, after round-the-clock negotiations, will be passed through the Senate Wednesday local time.
While full measures are yet to be announced, CNN reports the following were announced prior:
$250 billion for direct payments to individuals and families;
$350 billion in small business loans;
$250 billion in unemployment insurance benefits; and
$500 billion in loans for distressed companies.
SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS: While yes, it’s a historic day for the US Senate, the news comes only a week after The Daily Beast revealed that Republican Kelly Loeffler, a former CEO of Bitcoin exchange Bakkt, was the second senator after Richard Burr to dump millions of dollars in stock following a White House coronavirus briefing on January 24.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
[On when to end shutdown measures:] So, I think Easter Sunday, and you’ll have packed churches all over our country. I think it would be a beautiful time. And it’s just about the timeline that I think is right. Donald Trump
Choosing a Trump quote is like picking fruit so low hanging it’s rotten off the tree… however, him proposing to end America’s lockdown measures by April 12 — for the sake of the economy, by the way, the Easter thing is incidental — is notable in that his timeline would absolutely kill people.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Coronavirus: The world must stick together, says Scott Morrison ($)
‘No perfect answer to COVID-19’, says chair of panel which had advice rejected
Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus, but ‘remains in good health’
Cruise ship passengers to be quarantined on Rottnest Island in Western Australia
Coronavirus jobs fallout: at least 35,000 workers stood down in three days as businesses reel
Labor ramps up criticism of govt’s handling of COVID-19
Kidney transplants halted due to coronavirus, organs to be discarded
‘Convoluted waffle’: Prime Minister lambasted over mixed messaging
Coronavirus restrictions tipped to send Australian house prices tumbling
Why Australia won’t follow UK on coronavirus wage subsidy
‘Game-changer’: Britain days away from releasing millions of coronavirus finger prick tests
THE COMMENTARIAT
Coronavirus: More than ever we’re seeking signposts to safety ($) — Niki Savva (The Australian): “History has mixed lessons for leaders who steer their countries through wars or times of great national trauma. They are not always rewarded in the recovery phase. In 1945, war-weary Britons turfed out Winston Churchill, voting Labor’s Clement Attlee into office in a landslide, partly out of fear the country would return to Depression-era conditions.”
The Australian welfare system has always been needlessly cruel. Now it’s punishing half the country — Tom Hawking (The Guardian): “Like a lot of people, I called Centrelink on Monday. After 11 attempts to get through, I was greeted with a message directing me to the MyGov website. Navigating that site eventually revealed that to register, I’d need a customer reference number, which could only be obtained … by phone. Welcome to the 12 Tasks of Centrelink.”
Can we put a price tag on a life? COVID-19 shutdown forces a new look — Eduardo Porter and Jim Tankersley (The New York Times): “Can we measure the cost of hundreds of thousands of dead? President Donald Trump and leading business figures are increasingly questioning the wisdom of a prolonged shutdown of the US economy — already putting millions out of work — to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Earth


crikey--2020-02-16--Coronavirus hits Australian wine exports hard

The Australian wine industry has already taken a hit due to the bushfires .
Further loss of sales could be @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.3 billion-a-year wine exports to China , about 20 % of the national crop @ @ @ @ @ hit from the the COVID-19 virus ( coronavirus ) .
Exporters say sales are down @ @ @ @ @ % in the first two months of this year .
If the crisis continues , @ @ @ @ @ year 's end .
The sales drop comes on the back of the disastrous bushfire @ @ @ @ @ of vines burnt out and a substantial amount of other grapes affected by smoke taint @ @ @ @ @ at least 30 countries around the world including Australia , infecting more than 68,000 people @ @ @ @ @ 1700 deaths .

Australia’s $1.3 billion-a-year wine exports to China, about 20% of the national crop, is facing a massive hit from the the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus). Exporters say sales are down by as much as 90% in the first two months of this year. If the crisis continues, millions could be lost by year’s end.
The sales drop comes on the back of the disastrous bushfire season that has seen tracts of vines burnt out and a substantial amount of other grapes affected by smoke taint.
The virus has hit at least 30 countries around the world including Australia, infecting more than 68,000 people and resulting in more than 1700 deaths.


crikey--2020-02-16--Worm: Kings and queens raise $9.5 million for fire relief

Good morning , early birds .
A stellar line-up of international and local artists have helped raise $ 9.5 million for bushfire relief , and backpackers will be granted visa benefits if they help rebuild bushfire-affected communities .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Celeste Barber , John Farnham , Olivia Newton-John , Queen ( performing their 1985 Live Aid set fronted by Adam Lambert ) and many , many more artists have helped raise $ 9.5 million at Sydney ’ s Fire Fight Australia concert for bushfire relief , the ABC reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a frankly terrific video about the impact of climate change .
PLAYBACK : While a full video of the concert is yet to be uploaded , you can , and should , watch the English/Gamilaraay cover of You ’ re the Voice by Farnham , Newton-John , Brian May , Mitch Tambo and a group of volunteer firefighters .
In a stranger attempt at support , backpackers will be granted new visa benefits if they help rebuild bushfire-affected communities , under an overhaul of the working holiday program , The Australian ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonders if the almost 50,000 failed asylum seekers that The Age reports are currently awaiting deportation will be granted the opportunity to apply .
According to the ABC , 70 more passengers and crew aboard Japan ’ s quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess have tested positive for coronavirus , bringing the total to 355 or just under 10 % of those on board .
As both Australia and the US work on evacuating nationals stuck on the ship , The Guardian reports a group of Australian evacuees will leave quarantine on Christmas Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Firefighter and cult hero Paul Parker has told The Project — shortly after telling Scott Morrison mid-bushfire crisis “ to go and get fucked from Nelligen ” — he was dismissed from his volunteer captaincy at NSW ’ s Rural Fire Service for “ allegations and foul language ” .
HOT TAKE : While the news got # IStandWithFiremanPaul trending , and Parker will never pay for another beer in his life , really , as Crikey contributor Ben Eltham noted on Twitter , is there anything more Australian than punishing someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ REALLY SAID THAT ?
The Nationals leader answered a question Insiders ‘ David Speers absolutely did not ask ( which , FYI , was actually about whether McCormack accepts IPCC emission trajectories ) .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Firefighters ‘ taken off trucks ’ to plug gaps in fire safety unit Sports grants scandal : rural areas received less than $ 10m of $ 150m funds allocated Not appy : warnings out of date due to inaccurate fire data ( $ ) ICAC investigation into Liberal MP John Sidoti enters its fifth month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid to stop program run by retired long-serving cops ( $ ) Aged care helpline : more than 100 calls a day went unanswered ‘ She didn ’ t want to die ’ : Woman ’ s pleas for help unanswered by hospitals Labor exposed on climate , and Bandt not helping ( $ ) — Nick Cater ( The Australian ) : “ Would Richard Marles welcome a new Australian coal-fired power station ?
The ABC ’ s David Speers asked the question of Labor ’ s deputy leader at least a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and answering himself.
” The High Court and the “ aliens ” power — Megan Davis ( The Saturday Paper ) : “ The decision by the High Court of Australia this week on the ‘ aliens ’ power cast my mind back to my work in 2011 on the prime minister ’ s expert panel on the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian constitution.
” Bring them back : It ’ s time the government brought IS wives to Australia — Michael Bachelard ( The Sydney Morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least we now have it clear .
The Australian government is not prepared to accept Australian citizens , and those with a claim to citizenship , home from detention in Syria unless they can pay a people smuggler to help them escape.
” • Tony Abbott will begin a national tour to mark the launch of his book Abbott : The Defining Speeches .
• Phase three of the NSW ICAC public inquiry into the regulation of lobbying , access and influence will begin , focusing on the roles and perspectives of government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-day Future Justice & Corrections Summit , to feature representatives from the Commonwealth Ombudsman , Serco , GEO Group , and others .
• An inquest into Melbourne ’ s 2017 Bourke St Mall rampage will restart .
• Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will open the Think Pink Living Centre , a breast cancer support facility at Yarra ’ s Edge .
• Queen Victoria Market will host its 22nd annual ‘ Opera in the Market ’ event .
• ANU will host a forum event titled “ Imagining Australia with 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get there ?
” Speakers will include the former head of the CEFC and independent Oliver Yates .
• Former High Court judge Michael Kirby will deliver the inaugural Canberra Law School commencement oration .
• The 2019 Matilda Awards ( a celebration of the Queensland theatre industry ) will be held at the Powerhouse .
• Early voting opens today for the February 29 by-election for the Northern Territory seat of Johnston .
• The Indigenous Carbon Industry Network will hold its second annual meeting .
• The Veterans at University Symposium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Tracy Smart on transition as a health issue for veterans .
• Pianists Andrew Hagger and Élodie Sablier will perform a classical crossover concert ‘ Vivid ’ to raise funds for the Minderoo Foundation Fire Fund .
• Historian Tiffany Shellam will launch her new book , Meeting the Waylo : Aboriginal Encounters in the Archipelago , at UWA Publishing ’ s Love House .

IN CONCERT
Celeste Barber, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Queen (performing their 1985 Live Aid set fronted by Adam Lambert) and many, many more artists have helped raise $9.5 million at Sydney’s Fire Fight Australia concert for bushfire relief, the ABC reports. Russell Crowe also popped up in a frankly terrific video about the impact of climate change.
PLAYBACK: While a full video of the concert is yet to be uploaded, you can, and should, watch the English/Gamilaraay cover of You’re the Voice by Farnham, Newton-John, Brian May, Mitch Tambo and a group of volunteer firefighters.
JUST ADD BACKPACKERS!
In a stranger attempt at support, backpackers will be granted new visa benefits if they help rebuild bushfire-affected communities, under an overhaul of the working holiday program, The Australian ($) reports.
TALKING POINT: One wonders if the almost 50,000 failed asylum seekers that The Age reports are currently awaiting deportation will be granted the opportunity to apply.
CASES SPIKE ON QUARANTINED CRUISE
According to the ABC, 70 more passengers and crew aboard Japan’s quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to 355 or just under 10% of those on board.
As both Australia and the US work on evacuating nationals stuck on the ship, The Guardian reports a group of Australian evacuees will leave quarantine on Christmas Island today following no reported cases of coronavirus.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
RESPECT SMOKO’S AUTHORITY
Firefighter and cult hero Paul Parker has told The Project — shortly after telling Scott Morrison mid-bushfire crisis “to go and get fucked from Nelligen” — he was dismissed from his volunteer captaincy at NSW’s Rural Fire Service for “allegations and foul language”.
HOT TAKE: While the news got #IStandWithFiremanPaul trending, and Parker will never pay for another beer in his life, really, as Crikey contributor Ben Eltham noted on Twitter, is there anything more Australian than punishing someone for speaking out against authority?
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
The IPCC is not governing Australia. The Liberals and Nationals are. Michael McCormack
The Nationals leader answered a question Insiders‘ David Speers absolutely did not ask (which, FYI, was actually about whether McCormack accepts IPCC emission trajectories).
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Firefighters ‘taken off trucks’ to plug gaps in fire safety unit
Sports grants scandal: rural areas received less than $10m of $150m funds allocated
Not appy: warnings out of date due to inaccurate fire data ($)
ICAC investigation into Liberal MP John Sidoti enters its fifth month
‘Why I chose an abortion’: Tasmanian women share their stories
Jackie Trad braces for caucus storm ahead of integrity law debate
Graham Ashton writes to schools in a bid to stop program run by retired long-serving cops ($)
Aged care helpline: more than 100 calls a day went unanswered
Perrottet slams Canberra for tax reform drought ($)
‘She didn’t want to die’: Woman’s pleas for help unanswered by hospitals
THE COMMENTARIAT
Labor exposed on climate, and Bandt not helping ($) — Nick Cater (The Australian): “Would Richard Marles welcome a new Australian coal-fired power station? The ABC’s David Speers asked the question of Labor’s deputy leader at least a dozen times last week before giving up and answering himself.”
The High Court and the “aliens” power — Megan Davis (The Saturday Paper): “The decision by the High Court of Australia this week on the ‘aliens’ power cast my mind back to my work in 2011 on the prime minister’s expert panel on the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian constitution.”
Bring them back: It’s time the government brought IS wives to Australia — Michael Bachelard (The Sydney Morning Herald): “Well, at least we now have it clear. The Australian government is not prepared to accept Australian citizens, and those with a claim to citizenship, home from detention in Syria unless they can pay a people smuggler to help them escape.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Sydney
Lifeline chair John Brogden and RSF commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons will launch Lifeline’s Australia-wide bushfire support phone line.
Tony Abbott will begin a national tour to mark the launch of his book Abbott: The Defining Speeches.
Phase three of the NSW ICAC public inquiry into the regulation of lobbying, access and influence will begin, focusing on the roles and perspectives of government officials.
Day one of the three-day Future Justice & Corrections Summit, to feature representatives from the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Serco, GEO Group, and others.
Melbourne
An inquest into Melbourne’s 2017 Bourke St Mall rampage will restart.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will open the Think Pink Living Centre, a breast cancer support facility at Yarra’s Edge.
Queen Victoria Market will host its 22nd annual ‘Opera in the Market’ event.
Canberra
ANU will host a forum event titled “Imagining Australia with 100% renewable energy: how do we get there?” Speakers will include the former head of the CEFC and independent Oliver Yates .
Former High Court judge Michael Kirby will deliver the inaugural Canberra Law School commencement oration.
Brisbane
The 2019 Matilda Awards (a celebration of the Queensland theatre industry) will be held at the Powerhouse.
Darwin
Early voting opens today for the February 29 by-election for the Northern Territory seat of Johnston.
The Indigenous Carbon Industry Network will hold its second annual meeting.
Adelaide
The Veterans at University Symposium will include a keynote from Air Vice-Marshal Dr Tracy Smart on transition as a health issue for veterans.
Perth


crikey--2020-05-24--Fact check: did hydroxychloroquine contribute to Australia's low COVID-19 death rate?

Clive Palmer claims that hydroxychloroquine has contributed to Australia 's low COVID-19 death rate .
But has it ?
Businessman and former federal MP Clive Palmer made headlines when he donated nearly 33 million doses of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to help fight the novel coronavirus in Australia .
Palmer announced the gift in a statement on April 23 , 2020 , calling it the “ best hope ” for treating patients with COVID-19 .
He also credited the drug with Australia ’ s low death rate , claiming : “ On the 2 April 2020 , Australia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydroxychloroquine would be made available if doctors wish to use it to treat COVID-19 patients who are in Australian hospitals .
Since that time , Australia ’ s death rate from COVID-19 has been the lowest in the world and the curve has flattened.
” Palmer repeated the claim several times over the next week , first on Sunrise , then in full-page newspaper ads and again during an April 29 interview with Alan Jones .
So , has the use of hydroxychloroquine in hospitals been key to Australia ’ s low COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigates .
Experts consulted by Fact Check said there was no link between hydroxychloroquine and Australia ’ s low mortality rate .
They said the death curve had flattened simply because confirmed cases had done the same .
Doctors could already prescribe hydroxychloroquine to Australian hospital patients with COVID-19 before April 2 .
However , since March 24 the national medicines regulator has “ strongly discouraged ” doing so unless the hospital patient is part of a clinical trial or severely ill .
Experts said the drug ’ s effectiveness against COVID-19 would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large-scale randomised control trials were published .
In any event , due to the lag between reported cases and deaths , it would likely take several weeks for an effective drug to reduce the death rate .
Palmer spoke of Australia ’ s death rate , which can be expressed in two ways : the case fatality rate or deaths per capita .
The case fatality rate shows deaths as a proportion of confirmed cases — meaning that if cases increase but deaths do not , the rate goes down .
Catherine Bennett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University , told Fact Check that Australia had expanded its testing in April to catch more mild cases , so it would be “ meaningless ” to track case fatality rates over time .
Greg Dore , who heads the Kirby Institute ’ s Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program , said Australia ’ s broad testing was “ a major factor ” in why its case fatality rate was low compared with countries such as Italy , Spain and the United States , whose counts were skewed towards sicker people .
Fact Check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be talking about Australia ’ s deaths per head of population .
According to the Oxford University website Our World in Data , which presents official figures collected by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control , Australia ’ s daily deaths peaked around April 4 before plateauing in mid-April .
In May , after Palmer made his claim , cumulative deaths also flattened .
Can the drug take credit ?
Though Palmer credited hydroxychloroquine with Australia ’ s low death rate , experts said there was no link between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ could have been predicted by a turnaround in the case numbers ” .
“ It was always expected that the death rate would be delayed a few weeks after the case numbers peaked ” , he said .
“ We got to a peak in terms of case numbers in late March.
” Bennett also said the death rate was “ a product of the number of infections in Australia , and the risk profile of those cases ” .
Cases peaked around March 25 , she said , and given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succumb to the disease , “ the daily number of deaths in Australia would be expected to have started to decline from the second week in April , which is exactly what happened ” .
Due to the lag between the curves , Bennett said that if the drug had any effect , it would likely take several weeks to be reflected in the mortality figures .
When was it approved ?
Palmer tied Australia ’ s flattening mortality curve to April 2 , claiming this was when the drug would be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his interviews , he described the date as when Health Minister Greg Hunt “ authorised ” the drug for use and “ did decide hydroxychloroquine could be used in Australian hospitals ” .
Fact Check attempted to reach Palmer by phone and email seeking evidence for his claim but did not receive a response .
Hydroxychloroquine was already approved in Australia before the pandemic for treating malaria , lupus and rheumatoid arthritis .
Doctors could also prescribe it for conditions not specifically approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration ( TGA ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicines , in what ’ s called “ off-label ” use .
In general advice issued in 2017 , the TGA said it recommends off-label use only as a last resort but recognises it “ may be clinically appropriate in some circumstances ” .
The Department of Health told Fact Check it did not regulate clinical decisions such as the individual prescription of drugs .
Allen Cheng , director of infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology at Melbourne ’ s Alfred Hospital , told Fact Check ” there wasn ’ t any real restriction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hospitals before April 2 .
Available , but not recommended Hydroxychloroquine was available for use in hospitals during April , the period covered by Palmer ’ s claim , but that ’ s not to say the government encouraged its use in treating COVID-19 .
On March 24 , citing concerns over shortening supplies , the TGA announced that “ only certain types of specialists will be able to prescribe hydroxychloroquine to new patients ” .
“ Given the limited evidence for effect against COVID-19 , as well as the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discourages the use of hydroxychloroquine outside of its current indications at this time other than in a clinical trial setting or in a controlled environment in the treatment of severely ill patients in hospital , ” it said in a statement .
On April 1 , Hunt told A Current Affair he had just spoken to “ an international supplier ” and was “ confident that we will have a significant supply of hydroxychloroquine , which will be available if doctors wish to use them with patients who are in hospital .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 , the Secretary of the Department of Health created an exemption under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to allow the government to stockpile hydroxychloroquine .
However , the department told Fact Check this was “ not blanket approval or endorsement for the use of the drug for COVID-19 ” .
Is it being used widely ?
Dore said that for a drug to dent the mortality curve , it would need to be both very effective and widely used among patients .
But while Palmer said hydroxychloroquine had kept a lid on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Check found little evidence of widespread use .
The federal health department said it did not collect information on which drugs patients were receiving .
In a written statement , NSW Health said it “ understands a small number of COVID-19 patients in NSW has received hydroxychloroquine prescribed by individual medical practitioners ” .
Fact Check approached the Victorian health minister but did not receive a response .
Cheng said his hospital , one of Melbourne ’ s largest , did not routinely prescribe the drug to COVID-19 patients and he “ would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given to ] more than a handful of patients ” .
Some national data on hydroxychloroquine use is available through a hospital surveillance study called SPRINT-SARI , Cheng said , but this only covered patients in intensive care .
By April 26 , intensive care patients accounted for fewer than 20 % of COVID-19 hospitalisations .
Palmer ’ s claim that hydroxychloroquine helped reduce mortality assumes the drug is effective in treating COVID-19 .
But while his Palmer Foundation website refers to a number of studies on the topic , the evidence available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging .
In a report published on April 14 , experts from Oxford University ’ s Centre for Evidence Based Medicine critiqued five clinical trials and found none of them “ support the view that hydroxychloroquine is effective in the management of even mild COVID-19 disease ” .
The Doherty Institute ’ s Steven Tong , who is leading an Australian clinical trial for COVID-19 treatments , also published a detailed summary of six treatment studies available before Palmer ’ s April 23 statement .
Released on May 6 , the critique covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s April 29 interview .
“ The existing data do not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that there is a clear benefit , lack of benefit or harm , ” Tong wrote .
“ The observational datasets are prone to bias .
The [ randomised control trials ] are too small and have not reported on clinically relevant outcomes.
” Bennett told Fact Check that without control trials where people in similar risk categories were prescribed or not prescribed the drug , “ you can claim whatever you like , but there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest of the studies shared on Palmer ’ s website — a case series of 1,061 patients with no control group — she said 95 % of patients had mild or no symptoms at the outset , while the more serious cases represented “ numbers too small to compare with other COVID patient treatment studies ” .
“ We ’ re still waiting for the large randomised control trial evidence one way or the other .
So I don ’ t think we can say that it has efficacy , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Palmer , too , has acknowledged the need to wait for the trial results , telling the Sunrise program : “ If we have a successful trial and we don ’ t have the drug , what good is it ?
… I wanted to make sure that if the government wants to approve it , if it wants to allow it out , we ’ d have the material.
” Since then , two large-scale observational studies in New York City and New York state have been published , each with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found hydroxychloroquine significantly reduced the risk of death , and while both studies lacked control groups , experts said they were robust analyses .
• Fact Check : Scott Morrison says the coronavirus curve is flattening .
Are we turning the corner ?
April 3 , 2020 • Our World in Data , Australian COVID-19 statistics , accessed May 17 , 2020 • Henry Zwartz , A lot more of us can now get tested for coronavirus .
Here ’ s what you need to know , April 24 , 2020 • Rachel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been expanded .
So do you need a test ?
, April 14 , 2020 • TGA , New restrictions on prescribing hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 , March 24 , 2020 • Oxford ’ s CEBM , Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 : What do the clinical trials tell us ?
, April 14 , 2020 • Steven Tong , Critique of hydroxychloroquine studies to date , May 6 , 2020 • Joshua Geleris et .
al , Observational Study of Hydroxychloroquine in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19 , May 7 , 2020 • Eli S. Rosenberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With Hydroxychloroquine or Azithromycin With In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With COVID-19 in New York State , May 11 , 2020

The claim
Businessman and former federal MP Clive Palmer made headlines when he donated nearly 33 million doses of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to help fight the novel coronavirus in Australia.
Palmer announced the gift in a statement on April 23, 2020, calling it the “best hope” for treating patients with COVID-19.
He also credited the drug with Australia’s low death rate, claiming:


crikey--2020-02-10--Worm: Thrown under the Cbus

Worm: Thrown under the Cbus

Good morning , early birds .
Cbus Super has invested $ 128 million across 23 coal companies despite pushing the tagline `` invest in a better future '' , and Queensland is staring down a tropical cyclone .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
An investigation from The Age has found $ 56 billion superannuation fund Cbus has invested $ 128 million across 23 coal companies , despite publicly embracing climate action and pledging to reduce fossil-fuel exposure .
The Melbourne-based fund , which represents the construction and building industries , has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those coal companies .
Cbus investment officer Kristian Fok has defended the exposure , arguing “ divestment is a simplistic approach ” .
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a major flood warning for the Upper Brisbane River , The Courier-Mail ( $ ) reports , while the state stares down a tropical cyclone currently in New Caledonia with the potential to move south-west later in the week .
As storms continue throughout both Queensland and NSW , The Daily Telegraph ( $ ) reports some residents of the bushfire-and-flood-hit town of Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water releases from the lake .
For all national BoM warnings , click here .
Extending the life of just half of NSW ’ s Liddell coal plant will cost up to $ 100 million a year and be continually plagued by reliability issues , The Sydney Morning Herald reports , as a joint federal and NSW taskforce prepares to deliver its final report on an extension .
FUN FACT : AGL doesn ’ t want to keep Liddell open and has planned for the replaced capacity .
There ’ s no non-ideological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer funds on it .
LLEW ’ VE DONE IT AGAIN Deputy Speaker Llew O ’ Brien — freshly elected to the role despite the government ’ s best efforts — has told The Australian ( $ ) his old boss Michael McCormack held a partyroom meeting in regional Victoria in 2019 to coincide with the Melbourne Cup .
This comes amid internal fighting between Liberals and Nationals over building a new coal plant , The Age reports .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan for net-zero emissions by 2050 , with a core milestone being a ~45 % reduction by 2030 .
Notably , the latter is a target Labor took to the last election… the one a certain business group lobbied against as “ economy wrecking “ .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Fast tracks and bulk deals : How Crown got visas for its high rollers Former Masterchef judge George Calombaris ’ s restaurant group goes into administration Four more Australians test positive for coronavirus on board cruise ship Surplus almost certainly gone as coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift ban on gun silencers falls on deaf ears El Salvador ’ s President uses armed soldiers to pressure MPs to pass anti-crime plan Matildas maul Thailand 6-0 in Tokyo Olympics 2020 qualifier thanks to Emily van Egmond hat-trick Could this man be our next premier ?
— Dennis Atkins ( InQueensland ) : “ After his colleague and former deputy leader Bridget McKenzie walked the plank for her administration of the rorted community sports grants program , Matt Canavan watched his old boss and close ally Barnaby Joyce throw caution to one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Harvey Weinstein ’ s lawyer and the saddest defence of sexual assault I ’ ve ever read — Jenna Price ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ Maybe we do need to concentrate on men ’ s rights .
I say this after hearing the compelling interview with Donna Rotunno by Megan Twohey .
Rotunno is Harvey Weinstein ’ s lawyer and Twohey is the co-author of She Said : Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story that Helped Ignite a Movement.
” Jokowi ’ s visit shows the Australia-Indonesia relationship is strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The Conversation ) : “ Indonesian President Joko Widodo – Jokowi – has shown himself to be generally less interested in international affairs than his predecessor , Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ( SBY ) .
He has also been less committed to the Indonesia-Australia relationship.
” • The High Court will today announce whether the federal government can enact that final hypocrisy of colonisation , and deport Indigenous Australians .
• Bushfire survivors will use burnt debris to create a symbolic “ trail of destruction ” from Parliament to the Minerals Council of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent MP Zali Steggall , ACT Climate Change Minister Shane Rattenbury , and Business Council for Sustainable Development ( and former Liberal leader ) Dr John Hewson will speak at BCSD ’ s “ Clear the Air : Australian Climate Action Summit 2020 ” .
• Kevin Rudd will launch the Asia Society Policy Institute — Melbourne at the State Library of Victoria .
• Infamous climate denialist/sceptic/depends-on-his-mood Bjorn Lomborg will address the Centre for Independent Studies .
• Extinction Rebellion will deliberate on a WA response to the climate crisis at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will then deliver that agenda directly to WA Parliament .
• Day one of the Tasmanian government ’ s inquiry into finfish farming will hear from conservationists , scientists and sustainable agriculture .

CAUGHT BLACK-HANDED
An investigation from The Age has found $56 billion superannuation fund Cbus has invested $128 million across 23 coal companies, despite publicly embracing climate action and pledging to reduce fossil-fuel exposure.
The Melbourne-based fund, which represents the construction and building industries, has also backed 90% of shareholder resolutions from those coal companies. Cbus investment officer Kristian Fok has defended the exposure, arguing “divestment is a simplistic approach”.
FLOODS, FLOODS FOR DAYS
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a major flood warning for the Upper Brisbane River, The Courier-Mail ($) reports, while the state stares down a tropical cyclone currently in New Caledonia with the potential to move south-west later in the week.
As storms continue throughout both Queensland and NSW, The Daily Telegraph ($) reports some residents of the bushfire-and-flood-hit town of Lake Conjola have accused the council of mismanaging water releases from the lake.
For all national BoM warnings, click here.
JUST A LIDDELL TAXPAYER DOSH
Extending the life of just half of NSW’s Liddell coal plant will cost up to $100 million a year and be continually plagued by reliability issues, The Sydney Morning Herald reports, as a joint federal and NSW taskforce prepares to deliver its final report on an extension.
FUN FACT: AGL doesn’t want to keep Liddell open and has planned for the replaced capacity. There’s no non-ideological reason we should even be talking about spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer funds on it.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
LLEW’VE DONE IT AGAIN
Deputy Speaker Llew O’Brien — freshly elected to the role despite the government’s best efforts — has told The Australian ($) his old boss Michael McCormack held a partyroom meeting in regional Victoria in 2019 to coincide with the Melbourne Cup.
This comes amid internal fighting between Liberals and Nationals over building a new coal plant, The Age reports.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
The science tells us that where we need to be is at net zero emissions by 2050. So let’s start there, and let’s work our way [back] — what are the milestones, how do we hold ourselves accountable… Jennifer Westacott
The head of the Business Council of Australia supports a transition plan for net-zero emissions by 2050, with a core milestone being a ~45% reduction by 2030. Notably, the latter is a target Labor took to the last election… the one a certain business group lobbied against as “economy wrecking“.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Fast tracks and bulk deals: How Crown got visas for its high rollers
Former Masterchef judge George Calombaris’s restaurant group goes into administration
Coronavirus to delay hi-tech supply ($)
Four more Australians test positive for coronavirus on board cruise ship
Breathe easier: Real-time database to track world’s worsening air pollution
Porter weighs legislation to address casual ‘double-dipping’, extra sick leave
Surplus almost certainly gone as coronavirus and bushfires hit
Push for government to lift ban on gun silencers falls on deaf ears
El Salvador’s President uses armed soldiers to pressure MPs to pass anti-crime plan
Matildas maul Thailand 6-0 in Tokyo Olympics 2020 qualifier thanks to Emily van Egmond hat-trick
THE COMMENTARIAT
Could this man be our next premier? — Dennis Atkins (InQueensland): “After his colleague and former deputy leader Bridget McKenzie walked the plank for her administration of the rorted community sports grants program, Matt Canavan watched his old boss and close ally Barnaby Joyce throw caution to one side and challenge party boss Michael McCormack.”
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer and the saddest defence of sexual assault I’ve ever read — Jenna Price (The Sydney Morning Herald): “Maybe we do need to concentrate on men’s rights. I say this after hearing the compelling interview with Donna Rotunno by Megan Twohey. Rotunno is Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer and Twohey is the co-author of She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story that Helped Ignite a Movement.”
Jokowi’s visit shows the Australia-Indonesia relationship is strong, but faultlines remain — Colin Brown (The Conversation): “Indonesian President Joko Widodo – Jokowi – has shown himself to be generally less interested in international affairs than his predecessor, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). He has also been less committed to the Indonesia-Australia relationship.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The High Court will today announce whether the federal government can enact that final hypocrisy of colonisation, and deport Indigenous Australians.
Bushfire survivors will use burnt debris to create a symbolic “trail of destruction” from Parliament to the Minerals Council of Australia’s head office.
Independent MP Zali Steggall, ACT Climate Change Minister Shane Rattenbury, and Business Council for Sustainable Development (and former Liberal leader) Dr John Hewson will speak at BCSD’s “Clear the Air: Australian Climate Action Summit 2020”.
Melbourne
Kevin Rudd will launch the Asia Society Policy Institute — Melbourne at the State Library of Victoria.
Sydney
Infamous climate denialist/sceptic/depends-on-his-mood Bjorn Lomborg will address the Centre for Independent Studies.
Perth
Extinction Rebellion will deliberate on a WA response to the climate crisis at a “People’s Parliament”, and will then deliver that agenda directly to WA Parliament.
Hobart


crikey--2020-02-10--Australian universities are 'frantic' amid coronavirus fallout

This situation could quickly transform from problematic into a full-blown crisis .
For now , universities are left in the @ @ @ @ @ $ 35 billion international student sector will take a further hit after authorities in China @ @ @ @ @ for a second month to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
The International English @ @ @ @ @ ) test is a cornerstone requirement for foreign students to enrol in almost all Australian @ @ @ @ @ is concerned that test rooms will also be shuttered in March and possibly into the @ @ @ @ @

Australia’s $35 billion international student sector will take a further hit after authorities in China cancelled critical English language tests for a second month to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test is a cornerstone
requirement for foreign students to enrol in almost all Australian university
courses.
The sector is concerned that test rooms will also be shuttered in March and possibly into the middle of the year.


crikey--2020-06-22--Virus Watch: Victorian spike delays easing restrictions

The spike in Victorian cases has delayed any easing of coronavirus restrictions , plus more of the day 's coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases just keep coming , leading the state to extend its state of emergency @ @ @ @ @ areas .
Meanwhile , US President Donald Trump gets trolled by fake attendees at his @ @ @ @ @ troll the media with an ill-timed ‘ joke ’ -- while Australians start spending again @ @ @ @ @ climb up and up and up and up and up ... Victorians have been told @ @ @ @ @ areas across Melbourne -- Hume , Casey , Brimbank , Moreland , Cardinia and Darebin @ @ @ @ @ across the state .

Victoria’s coronavirus cases just keep coming, leading the state to extend its state of emergency and consider locking down hotspot areas.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump gets trolled by fake attendees at his rally — then attempts to troll the media with an ill-timed ‘joke’ — while Australians start spending again.
Victoria’s cases climb up and up and up and up and up…
Victorians have been told to avoid six coronavirus hotspot areas across Melbourne — Hume, Casey, Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia and Darebin — as the virus surges across the state.


crikey--2020-06-22--Worm: Inquiry finds former High Court justice sexually harassed associates

Good morning , early birds .
An independent inquiry by the High Court of Australia has found that former Justice Dyson Heydon sexually harassed six young female associates , and Victorian police will reportedly enforce stay-at-home directions if outbreaks can not be suppressed before July 19 .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
An independent inquiry by the High Court of Australia has found that former Justice Dyson Heydon , a High Court judge from 2003-13 and head of the 2014 royal commission into trade unions , sexually harassed six young female associates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Herald has further uncovered allegations of an “ open secret ” of Heydon ’ s predatory behaviour , including from a judge who claims she was indecently assaulted , and other women who report leaving the profession entirely due to the former justice ’ s institutional power .
Through his lawyers Speed & Stracey , Heydon — who the Herald has separately profiled — has denied “ allegation of predatory behaviour or breaches of the law ” , apologised “ for any offence ” , and notes that the “ internal administrative inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not by a lawyer , judge or a tribunal member ” .
PS : Sources “ close to the affair ” have further complained at The Australian ( $ ) that the inquiry was not run by a lawyer and did not allow Heydon to cross-examine his accusers — although , at a glance , those qualities would appear to be the inquiry ’ s point .
According to The Age , Victorian police will enforce stay-at-home directions if outbreaks can not be suppressed before July 19 , as the state government considers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patrols , extra testing and pop-up clinics , and “ door-to-door ” health checks across six hotspots .
While the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned against travel to Melbourne and Scott Morrison has offered military assistance following breaches at two state-run quarantine hotels , The Herald Sun has clarified that there are no official new intrastate travel bans .
However , with Victoria recording 16 new cases yesterday and officials expecting double-digit reports to continue this week , residents have been told not to travel if sick and , for those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible .
The ABC reports that Labor will today call for a royal commission into the federal government ’ s robodebt scheme , weeks after the Greens called for a similar investigation into how hundreds of thousands of people were issued unlawful , poorly-automated and often fake debts .
It also comes ahead of a looming class action lawsuit , a decision by the Morrison government to repay $ 720 million , and — completing a three-year cycle of Coalition reactions to the scheme ranging from denial , anger , bargaining and sadness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ any hurt of harm ” .
GOOD TIMING : Elsewhere , The Guardian reports that the Morrison government will today unveil $ 86 million for primary producers hit by the Black Summer bushfires and the pandemic — a move timed , curiously , just weeks away from the July 4 Eden-Monaro byelection .
In just one of the latest horror stories emerging from America ’ s fourth week of Black Lives Matter protests , witness allegations and supporting video suggest that police in Columbus , Ohio pepper sprayed a double-amputee before disconnecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legs .
Worryingly , while Columbus ’ mayor last week told police not to tear gas or pepper spray protesters , the local president of the hilariously/terrifyingly-named “ Fraternal Order of Police ” appears to have politely declined that order .
STILL AN OZ PROBLEM : According to The Guardian , a WA police officer has escaped sanction after being caught on CCTV dragging a handcuffed Indigenous teenager to the ground , causing him to hit his head , while , in Sydney , an Indigenous man has been repeatedly tasered in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• The Western Australian government yesterday announced plans to enter Phase four of their roadmap this Saturday , June 27 , which , amongst other changes , will : • remove all existing gathering limits other than the 2 square metre rule • remove seated service and patron registers at food and licensed venues • permit all events except for large scale , multi-stage music festivals • create a 50 % capacity rule for WA ’ s major sport and entertainment venue ; and • potentially lead to Phase five on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 % cap — while Phase six , removal of the hard state border and remote borders , now depends on Victoria ’ s success in controlling their outbreak .
• According to the ACT government , a contact tracing digital training program developed by ACT Health and ANU has been shared with public health departments in the USA , Germany , the European Union and the Mediterranean • Finally , a day after Western Australia announced joint federal-state “ JobMaker ” shovel-ready infrastructure and road projects with the federal government , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar schemes funded at $ 415 million and $ 53 million respectively .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Well , if the federal government hasn ’ t confirmed all that very public evidence they diverted counter-terrorism resources to bug Timor-Leste ’ s cabinet in order to swindle gas for friends at Woodside — and the then-ASIO boss says whatever did happen , is all g — then that ’ s good enough for us .
It would , however , make all those indefinite , shadow whistleblower prosecutions a little obsolete… READ ALL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days left to stay on air ‘ Whether this gets me in trouble , it remains to be seen ’ : Xenophon attacks national security laws Doma development to be built over possible Aboriginal men ’ s business site in Canberra Still no Covid19 cases traced to BLM mass rallies held over two weeks ago Most workers want ‘ hybrid ’ jobs at the office and at home after coronavirus , study finds Endangered Australian fish routinely being sold in shops and restaurants No successor announced one week out from national security watchdog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a # MeToo moment for the legal profession — Kcasey McLoughlin ( The Conversation ) : “ That the chief justice acknowledged the difficulties that victims of sexual harassment have in coming forward is significant .
There are all kinds of disincentives in bringing a formal complaint in sexual harassment , and these have been examined in the numerous reports and inquiries interrogating the deficiencies in the current legal framework , and devising strategies for reform .
Fear of not being believed .
Fear of being branded a troublemaker .
Limiting career and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the time for a pay rise ( $ ) — Mark Wooden ( AFR/The Australian ) : “ During a recession , and especially one as severe as the current one , what is most critical for the incomes of workers and their families is securing a paid job that provides adequate hours .
In my opinion , the requirement to provide an adequate safety net for workers means the FWC should , in the current environment , be prioritising jobs and hours over a wage increase.
” Coronavirus Victoria : Did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Samantha Maiden ( news.com.au ) : “ When thousands of Black Lives Matters ( BLM ) protesters marched across Australia a fortnight ago , health experts warned these ‘ dangerous ’ and ‘ risky ’ events could endanger lives and cause a second wave of COVID-19 cases .
Protesters insisted they would wear face marks and practice social distancing and health authorities spent a nervous fortnight watching and waiting to see if a super spreader event was occurring that would spike cases.
” • The Senate inquiry into the government ’ s COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Media , Entertainment and Arts Alliance ( MEAA ) ; Shop , Distributive and Allied Employees Association ( SDA ) ; United Workers Union ( UWU ) ; and Australian Council of Trade Unions ( ACTU ) .
• The Wheeler Centre will host Writing Blak , a discussion with four emerging First Nations writers from the centre ’ s Next Chapter program — Jasmin McGaughey , Racheal Oak Butler , Lorna Munro and Meleika Gesa-Fatafehi — to be hosted by Goorie-Koori poet Evelyn Araluen .
• Day one of Australian Progress ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to feature ACTU president Michele O ’ Neil , writer Benjamin Law , Australian Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow and more .

SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HEYDON
An independent inquiry by the High Court of Australia has found that former Justice Dyson Heydon, a High Court judge from 2003-13 and head of the 2014 royal commission into trade unions, sexually harassed six young female associates.
An investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald has further uncovered allegations of an “open secret” of Heydon’s predatory behaviour, including from a judge who claims she was indecently assaulted, and other women who report leaving the profession entirely due to the former justice’s institutional power.
Through his lawyers Speed & Stracey, Heydon — who the Herald has separately profiled — has denied “allegation of predatory behaviour or breaches of the law”, apologised “for any offence”, and notes that the “internal administrative inquiry was conducted by a public servant and not by a lawyer, judge or a tribunal member”.
PS: Sources “close to the affair” have further complained at The Australian ($) that the inquiry was not run by a lawyer and did not allow Heydon to cross-examine his accusers — although, at a glance, those qualities would appear to be the inquiry’s point.
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS STRONGER MEASURES TO CONTROL COVID-19
According to The Age, Victorian police will enforce stay-at-home directions if outbreaks cannot be suppressed before July 19, as the state government considers stronger measures after yesterday ramping up police patrols, extra testing and pop-up clinics, and “door-to-door” health checks across six hotspots.
While the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned against travel to Melbourne and Scott Morrison has offered military assistance following breaches at two state-run quarantine hotels, The Herald Sun has clarified that there are no official new intrastate travel bans.
However, with Victoria recording 16 new cases yesterday and officials expecting double-digit reports to continue this week, residents have been told not to travel if sick and, for those in hard-hit areas, to reconsider trips if possible.
LABOR TO PUSH FOR ROBODEBT ROYAL COMMISSION
The ABC reports that Labor will today call for a royal commission into the federal government’s robodebt scheme, weeks after the Greens called for a similar investigation into how hundreds of thousands of people were issued unlawful, poorly-automated and often fake debts.
It also comes ahead of a looming class action lawsuit, a decision by the Morrison government to repay $720 million, and — completing a three-year cycle of Coalition reactions to the scheme ranging from denial, anger, bargaining and sadness — an apology from Scott Morrison for “any hurt of harm”.
GOOD TIMING: Elsewhere, The Guardian reports that the Morrison government will today unveil $86 million for primary producers hit by the Black Summer bushfires and the pandemic — a move timed, curiously, just weeks away from the July 4 Eden-Monaro byelection.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
US POLICE GET CARTOONISHLY EVIL
In just one of the latest horror stories emerging from America’s fourth week of Black Lives Matter protests, witness allegations and supporting video suggest that police in Columbus, Ohio pepper sprayed a double-amputee before disconnecting and taking the man’s prosthetic legs.
Worryingly, while Columbus’ mayor last week told police not to tear gas or pepper spray protesters, the local president of the hilariously/terrifyingly-named “Fraternal Order of Police” appears to have politely declined that order.
STILL AN OZ PROBLEM: According to The Guardian, a WA police officer has escaped sanction after being caught on CCTV dragging a handcuffed Indigenous teenager to the ground, causing him to hit his head, while, in Sydney, an Indigenous man has been repeatedly tasered in the face, chest and neck during arrest.
STATE VIRUS WATCH: ENTER PHASE FOUR
The Western Australian government yesterday announced plans to enter Phase four of their roadmap this Saturday, June 27, which, amongst other changes, will: remove all existing gathering limits other than the 2 square metre rule remove seated service and patron registers at food and licensed venues permit all events except for large scale, multi-stage music festivals create a 50% capacity rule for WA’s major sport and entertainment venue; and potentially lead to Phase five on Saturday, July 18 — removal of that 50% cap — while Phase six, removal of the hard state border and remote borders, now depends on Victoria’s success in controlling their outbreak.
government yesterday announced plans to enter Phase four of their roadmap this Saturday, June 27, which, amongst other changes, will: According to the ACT government, a contact tracing digital training program developed by ACT Health and ANU has been shared with public health departments in the USA, Germany, the European Union and the Mediterranean
government, a contact tracing digital training program developed by ACT Health and ANU has been shared with public health departments in the USA, Germany, the European Union and the Mediterranean Finally, a day after Western Australia announced joint federal-state “JobMaker” shovel-ready infrastructure and road projects with the federal government, the Queensland and Northern Territory governments have announced similar schemes funded at $415 million and $53 million respectively.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
First of all, the government has neither confirmed nor denied any operation in respect of East Timor. Leaving that aside, if an operation was indeed carried out, it would not have been a crime. Former ASIO Director-General Dennis Richardson
Well, if the federal government hasn’t confirmed all that very public evidence they diverted counter-terrorism resources to bug Timor-Leste’s cabinet in order to swindle gas for friends at Woodside — and the then-ASIO boss says whatever did happen, is all g — then that’s good enough for us.
It would, however, make all those indefinite, shadow whistleblower prosecutions a little obsolete…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Community TV has just seven days left to stay on air
‘Whether this gets me in trouble, it remains to be seen’: Xenophon attacks national security laws
Doma development to be built over possible Aboriginal men’s business site in Canberra
Still no Covid19 cases traced to BLM mass rallies held over two weeks ago
Victoria should consider hard lockdown: experts
Coronavirus Australia: Disadvantaged areas the new virus hotspots ($)
Most workers want ‘hybrid’ jobs at the office and at home after coronavirus, study finds
Endangered Australian fish routinely being sold in shops and restaurants
Young LNP boss claims he’s the ‘fall guy’ over racist video ($)
No successor announced one week out from national security watchdog leaving post
Trump’s misleading information enables China to sow discord among allies, research finds
THE COMMENTARIAT
Dyson Heydon finding may spark a #MeToo moment for the legal profession — Kcasey McLoughlin (The Conversation): “That the chief justice acknowledged the difficulties that victims of sexual harassment have in coming forward is significant. There are all kinds of disincentives in bringing a formal complaint in sexual harassment, and these have been examined in the numerous reports and inquiries interrogating the deficiencies in the current legal framework, and devising strategies for reform. Fear of not being believed. Fear of being branded a troublemaker. Limiting career and employment prospects.”
Why it’s not the time for a pay rise ($) — Mark Wooden (AFR/The Australian): “During a recession, and especially one as severe as the current one, what is most critical for the incomes of workers and their families is securing a paid job that provides adequate hours. In my opinion, the requirement to provide an adequate safety net for workers means the FWC should, in the current environment, be prioritising jobs and hours over a wage increase.”
Coronavirus Victoria: Did protests cause Victorian COVID-19 spike? — Samantha Maiden (news.com.au): “When thousands of Black Lives Matters (BLM) protesters marched across Australia a fortnight ago, health experts warned these ‘dangerous’ and ‘risky’ events could endanger lives and cause a second wave of COVID-19 cases. Protesters insisted they would wear face marks and practice social distancing and health authorities spent a nervous fortnight watching and waiting to see if a super spreader event was occurring that would spike cases.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The Senate inquiry into the government’s COVID-19 response will hear from unions including the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA); Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA); United Workers Union (UWU); and Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
Melbourne
The Wheeler Centre will host Writing Blak, a discussion with four emerging First Nations writers from the centre’s Next Chapter program — Jasmin McGaughey, Racheal Oak Butler, Lorna Munro and Meleika Gesa-Fatafehi — to be hosted by Goorie-Koori poet Evelyn Araluen.
Australia


crikey--2020-03-01--Worm: Ministers on blast for racist comments

Good morning , early birds .
Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood is in strife for his comments about `` disgusting '' Asian wildlife markets , and an elderly Perth man has died after contracting coronavirus .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Amid a spike in coronavirus-related racism across Australia , The New Daily reports that Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood has only helped matters by slamming the “ disgusting Asian wildlife markets ” cited as potential carriers in a report by The Australian ( $ ) .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Australia and Universal Society of Hinduism condemned Treasurer Josh Frydenberg for invoking Ashrams , yoga and other religious objects in mocking Labor ’ s wellbeing budget , The Guardian reports .
An elderly Perth evacuee of the Diamond Princess cruise ship is the first Australian to die after contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus , according to the ABC ’ s daily wrap , and , the US and Thailand have reported their first deaths .
AMA WA president Andrew Miller has , while reiterating calls for Australians not to panic , likened the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of an expected influx of patients .
Meanwhile , AFR ( $ ) reports of a collaboration between the government and financial regulators on an emergency economic response to the crisis , with the RBA possibly set to announce another rate cut tomorrow .
Alinta Energy has endangered its 1.1 million retail gas and electricity customers ’ privacy — and possibly breached privacy laws — with “ reckless ” cyber security and data protection systems , a joint investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald , The Age and 7.30 has found .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conglomerate Chow Tai Fook , a whistleblower at Alinta has released a series of damning internal documents , confidential reports and emails , including a June 2019 audit by EY assigning the energy company a “ red ” risk rating for privacy oversight .
As Israel today heads to the polls for the third time in one year , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged “ immediate ” annexation of greater areas of the West Bank and Jordan Valley if he is re-elected , The Japan Times reports , citing work done by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
TALKING POINT : According to the BBC , Netanyahu was indicted on bribery , fraud and breach of trust charges in three separate cases in January , while Haaretz reports he sent an implicit threat over the weekend to what he called “ left wing ” judges .
Scott Morrison will announce a new recycling policy at today ’ s National Plastics Summit , The Age and The Australian ( $ ) report , focusing on greater infrastructure , technology , and government purchases of recycled content , ahead of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Following a massive backlog of recycling in Victoria , the news follows the announcement of a fourth purple bin for glass — along with a container scheme for the state , the ABC reported — that received some typically hilarious libertarian responses from the IPA .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The cops were very disappointed with LGBTIQ protesters disrupting the spirit of an event that , 42 years ago , meant violently arresting and beating them .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Labor MP Chris Picton urged to ‘ destroy ’ documents about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers say they made a big mistake ( $ ) Grattan Institute wants super rise scrapped in favour of lift in rental assistance , Newstart Yarra Trams push for more separation between trams and cars ( $ ) Qld police admit to making triple-zero callers wait more than seven minutes ( $ ) Bushfire relief for business , farms slows as politicians bicker over rules Labor shows no concern over voter backlash in NT by-election ( $ ) The State Government says a hydrogen industry in Tasmania will create hundreds of jobs ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister as Mahathir Mohamad forced out Albanese is still leaving the heavy lifting for later — Shaun Carney ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ Although Albanese is pursuing what he would see as a patient , steady , even conservative , course as leader – delivering headland speeches , speaking in generalities and waiting to unveil full-bodied policies much closer to the next election – it ’ s arguably quite a gamble.
” The Chinese as world leaders ?
That notion just died ( $ ) — Jennifer Oriel ( The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party has done more damage to China ’ s prospects of becoming a global superpower than its most ardent detractors .
As president of the one-party state , Xi Jinping is responsible for political decisions that have facilitated the spread of a novel coronavirus from mainland China to countries around the world.
” Cops and corporations don ’ t care about queer people , so why do they pretend to ?
— Joshua Badge ( Junkee ) : “ Last week , ANZ released an ad to coincide with Sydney ’ s Gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the camera and say gay slurs for around a minute .
They also produced a browser extension which replaces gay slurs with rainbow emojis ( yes , really ) .
” • Senate estimates will begin hearings into environment and communications ; finance and public administration ; legal and constitutional affairs ; and rural and regional affairs and transport .
Expected topics include the bushfire crisis and sports rorts scandal .
• The Canberra Institute of Technology will host the first ‘ hackathon ’ aimed at addressing challenges in the trades .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governance Summit , focusing on the future of science and technology leadership , with speakers to include Australian Space Agency ’ s Dr Megan Clark and former Obama advisor Michael Froman .
• The Marie Bashir Institute at the University of Sydney will launch “ AMR Social Science ” , a new initiative dedicated to antimicrobial resistance .
• The Australian Directors ’ Guild will hold an in-conversation event with American indie director Desiree Akhavan at RMIT .
• Chief economist at HSBC Australia & New Zealand Paul Bloxham will present a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry .
• TasNetworks will hold a public consultation session on the proposed Bass Strait ‘ Marinus Link ’ electricity interconnector , following the release of its draft project assessment .
• The Writers Guild of America will announce its 2020 award winners .

WOOD A REAL MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS MINISTER SAY THAT?
Amid a spike in coronavirus-related racism across Australia, The New Daily reports that Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood has only helped matters by slamming the “disgusting Asian wildlife markets” cited as potential carriers in a report by The Australian ($).
It comes just days after the Hindu Council of Australia and Universal Society of Hinduism condemned Treasurer Josh Frydenberg for invoking Ashrams, yoga and other religious objects in mocking Labor’s wellbeing budget, The Guardian reports.
FIRST CORONAVIRUS-INFECTED AUSTRALIAN DIES
An elderly Perth evacuee of the Diamond Princess cruise ship is the first Australian to die after contracting the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to the ABC’s daily wrap, and, the US and Thailand have reported their first deaths. AMA WA president Andrew Miller has, while reiterating calls for Australians not to panic, likened the virus to the “Spanish Flu” ahead of an expected influx of patients.
Meanwhile, AFR ($) reports of a collaboration between the government and financial regulators on an emergency economic response to the crisis, with the RBA possibly set to announce another rate cut tomorrow.
ALINTA: PRIVACY DEVIL
Alinta Energy has endangered its 1.1 million retail gas and electricity customers’ privacy — and possibly breached privacy laws — with “reckless” cyber security and data protection systems, a joint investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and 7.30 has found.
Three years after being purchased by Chinese conglomerate Chow Tai Fook, a whistleblower at Alinta has released a series of damning internal documents, confidential reports and emails, including a June 2019 audit by EY assigning the energy company a “red” risk rating for privacy oversight.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
NETANYAHU PLEDGES FURTHER ANNEXATION
As Israel today heads to the polls for the third time in one year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged “immediate” annexation of greater areas of the West Bank and Jordan Valley if he is re-elected, The Japan Times reports, citing work done by the joint US-Israeli mapping committee just last week.
TALKING POINT: According to the BBC, Netanyahu was indicted on bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges in three separate cases in January, while Haaretz reports he sent an implicit threat over the weekend to what he called “left wing” judges.
NEW RECYCLING PLAN
Scott Morrison will announce a new recycling policy at today’s National Plastics Summit, The Age and The Australian ($) report, focusing on greater infrastructure, technology, and government purchases of recycled content, ahead of a looming export ban.
FUN FACT: Following a massive backlog of recycling in Victoria, the news follows the announcement of a fourth purple bin for glass — along with a container scheme for the state, the ABC reported — that received some typically hilarious libertarian responses from the IPA.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Earlier tonight, three people were removed from the Mardi Gras parade, following unauthorised entry. NSW Police are disappointed with their actions, which did not comply with the conditions of the event or the spirit of the celebrations. NSW Police Force
The cops were very disappointed with LGBTIQ protesters disrupting the spirit of an event that, 42 years ago, meant violently arresting and beating them.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Non-government schools set for multibillion-dollar funding boost
Labor MP Chris Picton urged to ‘destroy’ documents about Moana Sands housing plan, as FOI officers say they made a big mistake ($)
Grattan Institute wants super rise scrapped in favour of lift in rental assistance, Newstart
Yarra Trams push for more separation between trams and cars ($)
Leaked government document reveals slated Sydney bus cuts
Brisbane lord mayor makes election pledge for million-dollar views
Qld police admit to making triple-zero callers wait more than seven minutes ($)
Bushfire relief for business, farms slows as politicians bicker over rules
Labor shows no concern over voter backlash in NT by-election ($)
The State Government says a hydrogen industry in Tasmania will create hundreds of jobs ($)
Malaysia swears in new prime minister as Mahathir Mohamad forced out
THE COMMENTARIAT
Albanese is still leaving the heavy lifting for later — Shaun Carney (The Sydney Morning Herald): “Although Albanese is pursuing what he would see as a patient, steady, even conservative, course as leader – delivering headland speeches, speaking in generalities and waiting to unveil full-bodied policies much closer to the next election – it’s arguably quite a gamble.”
The Chinese as world leaders? That notion just died ($) — Jennifer Oriel (The Australian): “The Chinese Communist Party has done more damage to China’s prospects of becoming a global superpower than its most ardent detractors. As president of the one-party state, Xi Jinping is responsible for political decisions that have facilitated the spread of a novel coronavirus from mainland China to countries around the world.”
Cops and corporations don’t care about queer people, so why do they pretend to? — Joshua Badge (Junkee): “Last week, ANZ released an ad to coincide with Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras where people stare into the camera and say gay slurs for around a minute. They also produced a browser extension which replaces gay slurs with rainbow emojis (yes, really).”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
Senate estimates will begin hearings into environment and communications; finance and public administration; legal and constitutional affairs; and rural and regional affairs and transport. Expected topics include the bushfire crisis and sports rorts scandal.
The Canberra Institute of Technology will host the first ‘hackathon’ aimed at addressing challenges in the trades.
Sydney
Day one of the two-day Australian Governance Summit, focusing on the future of science and technology leadership, with speakers to include Australian Space Agency’s Dr Megan Clark and former Obama advisor Michael Froman .
The Marie Bashir Institute at the University of Sydney will launch “AMR Social Science”, a new initiative dedicated to antimicrobial resistance.
Melbourne
The Australian Directors’ Guild will hold an in-conversation event with American indie director Desiree Akhavan at RMIT.
Brisbane
Chief economist at HSBC Australia & New Zealand Paul Bloxham will present a “2020 Economic Outlook Briefing” to the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Hobart
TasNetworks will hold a public consultation session on the proposed Bass Strait ‘Marinus Link’ electricity interconnector, following the release of its draft project assessment.
Western Australia
Labour Day (Western Australia only).
Los Angeles, USA