crikey--2020-04-23--Worm: What's next for economic recovery?

Scott Morrison has flagged a number of micro-reforms that offer hints of what economic changes Australia could be facing as we look to a post-pandemic recovery and Seven West Media has applied for JobKeeper .
Yesterday , we saw at least half a dozen more hints of what economic changes Australia could be facing as we look to a post-pandemic recovery : • Scott Morrison has flagged micro-reforms , from university fees to cutting council “ red-tape ” to the ‘ Shifting The Dial ‘ report and an enduring travel ban , with the potential to exempt New Zealand to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry , for the foreseeable future .
• At The Guardian , Environment Minister Sussan Ley flagged that a plan to cut “ green tape ” could be implemented even before a review of the current system .
• According to The Australian ( $ ) , a “ furious ” Morrison vented at the big four banks yesterday morning over alleged failures to provide pledged bridging support for businesses before JobKeeper kicks in next month .
• Over at The Financial Review ( $ ) , cross-benchers Centre Alliance , One Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willingness to negotiate in good faith on tax and industrial relations reforms .
POOR BACK TO $ 40 A DAY ?
Morrison denied that the JobSeeker increase would be extended beyond the next six months , although , as The Canberra Times explained way back in January , that would seem to be the best way to maintain spending .
Mere hours after breaking news that Kerry Stokes received a quarantine exemption after arriving in Perth from Aspen by private jet , WAToday reports that the billionaires ’ media empire Seven West Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of both the sector-wide death of advertising market and the company ’ s $ 541 million debt load .
Weeks after both Australian Community Media and News Corp were forced to suspend community newspapers , Communication Minister Paul Fletcher — who announced a $ 54 million package last week focused on spectrum tax , quotas , and regional news — has also published a defensive piece in The Guardian explaining how JobKeeper and JobSeeker can support arts workers .
As the ABC explains , freelancers and short-term arts employees are excluded from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Over the pond , the New Zealand government has announced their $ 50 million support package , which includes fee cuts , targeted relief , and , interestingly , $ 1.3 million to purchase central government news media subscriptions .
The Victorian parliament has passed the wide-ranging “ COVID-19 Omnibus ( Emergency Measures ) Bill 2020″ , while The Age reports voting down a motion from the Greens to set up a cross-party committee to examine the response in favour of a Labor-controlled parliamentary public accounts and estimates committee .
On top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in rent relief ) and lowlights ( forced quarantine for new prisoners potentially creating solitary confinement ) , advocacy body Pandemic Housing Action Melbourne yesterday alleged that the law prevents tenants from breaking periodic leases unless they can demonstrate “ severe hardship ” .
In yet another bloody packed day for government stimulus and relief funding : • Western Australian announced a $ 154.5 million relief package directed at tenants , landlords and construction industry , to include : • $ 30 million for grants of up to $ 2,000 for residential tenants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial hardship due to COVID-19 ; • $ 100 million in land tax relief grants available for commercial landlords who reduce rent for small business tenants impacted by COVID-19 ; and • $ 24.5 million support package to assist the building and construction industry to maintain a skilled workforce and support apprentices and trainees .
• Queensland announced that , under its existing $ 1.2 billion health package , $ 4.5 million in charity funding will go towards Legacy and Lifeline .
• Finally , the Northern Territory has apparently become the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package , a $ 13.1 million plan to support job creation , create waivers and deferrals of rates for businesses in hardship , and repurpose unspent grants .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The Texas lieutenant governor joins an increasingly large field of politicians openly valuing a nebulous idea of the economy over human life .
See also : the Los Vegas mayor offering her citizens up as a “ control group ” .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Porsche driver charged with multiple offences after allegedly leaving scene of truck crash that killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tehan hopes all schools return to normal classroom teaching in term two Chief Minister Michael Gunner reveals when NT eateries , pubs and bars could reopen ( $ ) Predictions house prices could fall by 30 per cent in worst-case scenario as coronavirus restrictions bite Merkel warns Germany is on the ‘ thinnest ice ’ as Europe realizes social distancing is here to stay Sen. Elizabeth Warren says her oldest brother died of coronavirus Germany takes ex-members of Syria ’ s secret police to trial over alleged war crimes Look at the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not like them — Waleed Aly ( The Age ) : “ The contrast with America is more obvious , so let ’ s start there .
When anti-lockdown protests erupted this week demanding governments re-open the economy , supported by President Trump even though it contradicted his administration ’ s own health advice , it became clear just how irredeemably fractured American society has become .
To see a protester yelling at a nurse who is on the front line of the pandemic , telling them to ‘ go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough.
” Coronavirus : We need G20 swat team in fight against flashdemics ( $ ) — Joe Hockey and Jack Chow ( The Australian ) : “ We need a globally co-ordinated and funded response-ready team , a medical SWAT unit endowed with technical gear and doctors and nurses who can administer care until local authorities are strong enough to take over .
One lesson of battling Ebola in West Africa was it showcased the need for early aggressive intervention .
” The corrupt tax provision in the CARES Act : Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sheldon Whitehouse ( USAToday ) : “ According to early analysis from Congress ’ s nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation on the costlier provision ( worth nearly $ 170 billion ) , the beneficiaries are few : 43,000 million-dollar-plus income earners will reap over 80 % of the windfall — coming in at an eye-popping average of $ 1.6 million each in 2020 alone .
That ’ s 1,300 times what regular Americans are getting with their $ 1,200 checks going out under the CARES Act.
” • National Cabinet will meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approaches to Term 2 .

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
Yesterday, we saw at least half a dozen more hints of what economic changes Australia could be facing as we look to a post-pandemic recovery:
Scott Morrison has flagged micro-reforms, from university fees to cutting council “red-tape” to the ‘Shifting The Dial‘ report and an enduring travel ban, with the potential to exempt New Zealand to create at least some kind of tourism industry, for the foreseeable future.
has flagged micro-reforms, from university fees to cutting council “red-tape” to the ‘Shifting The Dial‘ report and an enduring travel ban, with the potential to exempt New Zealand to create at least some kind of tourism industry, for the foreseeable future. At The Guardian, Environment Minister Sussan Ley flagged that a plan to cut “green tape” could be implemented even before a review of the current system.
flagged that a plan to cut “green tape” could be implemented even before a review of the current system. According to The Australian ($), a “furious” Morrison vented at the big four banks yesterday morning over alleged failures to provide pledged bridging support for businesses before JobKeeper kicks in next month.
Over at The Financial Review ($), cross-benchers Centre Alliance, One Nation and Jacqui Lambie have all expressed a willingness to negotiate in good faith on tax and industrial relations reforms.
POOR BACK TO $40 A DAY? Morrison denied that the JobSeeker increase would be extended beyond the next six months, although, as The Canberra Times explained way back in January, that would seem to be the best way to maintain spending.
A MEDIA SCRUM FOR COVID FUNDS
Mere hours after breaking news that Kerry Stokes received a quarantine exemption after arriving in Perth from Aspen by private jet, WAToday reports that the billionaires’ media empire Seven West Media has applied for JobKeeker in the face of both the sector-wide death of advertising market and the company’s $541 million debt load.
Weeks after both Australian Community Media and News Corp were forced to suspend community newspapers, Communication Minister Paul Fletcher — who announced a $54 million package last week focused on spectrum tax, quotas, and regional news — has also published a defensive piece in The Guardian explaining how JobKeeper and JobSeeker can support arts workers. As the ABC explains, freelancers and short-term arts employees are excluded from the former.
HAS NZ TOPPED US AGAIN? Over the pond, the New Zealand government has announced their $50 million support package, which includes fee cuts, targeted relief, and, interestingly, $1.3 million to purchase central government news media subscriptions.
VICTORIA PASSES EMERGENCY OMNIBUS, REBUFFS OVERSIGHT CALLS
The Victorian parliament has passed the wide-ranging “COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Bill 2020″, while The Age reports voting down a motion from the Greens to set up a cross-party committee to examine the response in favour of a Labor-controlled parliamentary public accounts and estimates committee.
On top of previously-announced highlights ($500 million in rent relief) and lowlights (forced quarantine for new prisoners potentially creating solitary confinement), advocacy body Pandemic Housing Action Melbourne yesterday alleged that the law prevents tenants from breaking periodic leases unless they can demonstrate “severe hardship”.
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
STATE WRAP: HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION, SCHOOLS, CHARITIES, AND LOCAL GOV
In yet another bloody packed day for government stimulus and relief funding:
Western Australian announced a $154.5 million relief package directed at tenants, landlords and construction industry, to include: $30 million for grants of up to $2,000 for residential tenants who have lost their job and face financial hardship due to COVID-19; $100 million in land tax relief grants available for commercial landlords who reduce rent for small business tenants impacted by COVID-19; and $24.5 million support package to assist the building and construction industry to maintain a skilled workforce and support apprentices and trainees.
South Australia launched a $32 million school maintenance initiative.
Queensland announced that, under its existing $1.2 billion health package, $4.5 million in charity funding will go towards Legacy and Lifeline.
Finally, the Northern Territory has apparently become the first government to launch a Local Government relief package, a $13.1 million plan to support job creation, create waivers and deferrals of rates for businesses in hardship, and repurpose unspent grants.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
There are more important things than living. Dan Patrick
The Texas lieutenant governor joins an increasingly large field of politicians openly valuing a nebulous idea of the economy over human life. See also: the Los Vegas mayor offering her citizens up as a “control group”.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Porsche driver charged with multiple offences after allegedly leaving scene of truck crash that killed four Victoria Police officers
Premier accuses teachers’ union of wanting kids home indefinitely
Education Minister Dan Tehan hopes all schools return to normal classroom teaching in term two
Chief Minister Michael Gunner reveals when NT eateries, pubs and bars could reopen ($)
Predictions house prices could fall by 30 per cent in worst-case scenario as coronavirus restrictions bite
Merkel warns Germany is on the ‘thinnest ice’ as Europe realizes social distancing is here to stay
State government backs big batteries and solar to drive recovery
Teachers hand deliver lessons to Aboriginal students lacking internet access
Sen. Elizabeth Warren says her oldest brother died of coronavirus
Germany takes ex-members of Syria’s secret police to trial over alleged war crimes
THE COMMENTARIAT
Look at the US and the UK and be glad we’re not like them — Waleed Aly (The Age): “The contrast with America is more obvious, so let’s start there. When anti-lockdown protests erupted this week demanding governments re-open the economy, supported by President Trump even though it contradicted his administration’s own health advice, it became clear just how irredeemably fractured American society has become. To see a protester yelling at a nurse who is on the front line of the pandemic, telling them to ‘go back to China’, probably tells you enough.”
Coronavirus: We need G20 swat team in fight against flashdemics ($) — Joe Hockey and Jack Chow (The Australian): “We need a globally co-ordinated and funded response-ready team, a medical SWAT unit endowed with technical gear and doctors and nurses who can administer care until local authorities are strong enough to take over. One lesson of battling Ebola in West Africa was it showcased the need for early aggressive intervention. ”
The corrupt tax provision in the CARES Act: Rep. Doggett & Sen. Whitehouse — Lloyd Doggett and Sheldon Whitehouse (USAToday): “According to early analysis from Congress’s nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation on the costlier provision (worth nearly $170 billion), the beneficiaries are few: 43,000 million-dollar-plus income earners will reap over 80% of the windfall — coming in at an eye-popping average of $1.6 million each in 2020 alone. That’s 1,300 times what regular Americans are getting with their $1,200 checks going out under the CARES Act.”
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Australia
National Cabinet will meet to discuss the mixed state and territory approaches to Term 2.
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-04-23--Covid Curated: social distancing v starvation in Africa

For a limited time only , choose what you pay for a year of Crikey .
Save up to 50 @ @ @ @ @ Crikey , or , dig deeper so that we can dig deeper .
Crikey may @ @ @ @ @ has always been to focus on the why , not the what of public life @ @ @ @ @ is used and abused in Australia , and the systems and people who facilitate it @ @ @ @ @ effectively , we need subscribers .
Lots of them .
Join Crikey now , and @ @ @ @ @ , choose what you pay .

Go deeper on the issues that matter.
Become a subscriber to get full access to the website, as well as our premium newsletters.


crikey--2020-05-05--A doctor's note: pray that the COVID-19 crisis isn't only just beginning

As people dream of an end to lockdowns , it 's wise to remember that Australia has been the lucky @ @ @ @ @ may run out .
“ I dream of eggs , ” said one caller .
@ @ @ @ @ being able to sit in a café and order eggs.
” I ’ ve heard @ @ @ @ @ football , or their golf game , or the simple act of hugging their grandkids @ @ @ @ @ of course , way ahead , dreaming of restarting the season before you can say @ @

“I dream of eggs,” said one caller. “Nothing fancy, just being able to sit in a café and order eggs.”
I’ve heard others bemoan the absence of football, or their golf game, or the simple act of hugging their grandkids.
Rugby League is, of course, way ahead, dreaming of restarting the season before you can say kebab-on-a-park-bench.


crikey--2020-05-05--Worm: UK's death toll surpasses Italy's

Worm: UK's death toll surpasses Italy's

The UK 's death toll from COVID-19 is now the second-highest in the world .
Meanwhile , pressure mounts on Australia 's COVIDSafe app .
Britain has overtaken Italy as the country with the second-highest COVID-19 death toll .
It has now recorded more than 32,000 deaths , to Italy ’ s ( likely conservative ) 29,000 .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson — who banked on the unproven “ herd immunity ” strategy in March — has indicated some lockdown measures will ease over the next week .
The US has the highest death toll in the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the The New York Times , in the past 24 hours New York state has reported more than 1600 previously undisclosed deaths at nursing homes and adult care facilities .
VACCINE WATCH : While still early days , the ABC reports that US drug company Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE have started trials on an experimental vaccine .
See also : recent tests on antibody-laden plasma from survivors , and antiviral drug remdesivir .
US President Donald Trump , likely keen to deflect blame over those heartbreaking figures , has again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop COVID-19 spreading from Wuhan .
While Trump graciously acknowledged “ they didn ’ t do it on purpose ” , Reuters reports he has announced vague plans to release a report on the origins of the virus .
According to The Daily Telegraph ( $ ) , the Morrison government and its security agencies are growing increasingly concerned over Trump ’ s public obsession with the “ Wuhan laboratory ” theory .
WHAT ABOUT THAT FAILED COUP ?
Elsewhere , the ABC reports that Trump has denied any involvement by the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela .
President Nicolas Maduro alleged that the group of 13 were “ terrorists ” , led by two American “ mercenaries ” , coordinated by Washington .
The Daily Telegraph ( $ ) reports that staff at Sydney ’ s Strathfield Council have been forced to put COVIDSafe on to their work smartphones .
This constitutes a breach of Health Minister Greg Hunt ’ s determination under the Biosecurity Act against forcing someone to download the app .
THE PRESSURE IS ON : After The Canberra Times yesterday published Scott Morrison ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , news.com.au has published an op-ed comparing anyone worried about the privacy/functionality/efficacy of the app with anti-vaxxers .
According to The Australian ( $ ) , the Melbourne abattoir at the heart of one of Victoria ’ s largest outbreaks was given a three-week “ headstart ” after state health officials determined the first infected employee “ had not been at work while infectious ” and the business was therefore “ not considered an exposure site ” .
There have now been 45 cases traced to the facility .
As The Guardian reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Princess inquiry heard that a senior doctor on board the cruise had told a NSW Health employee that “ we just have to stop all cruise ships ” from as early as March 8 .
Finally , the ABC reports that the Anglicare Newmarch House aged care facility in Sydney has recorded its 16th death , as three more staff test positive .
• Queensland ’ s government will today host a virtual summit with key bodies on the impact of COVID-19 on domestic violence services .
The state government also announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmers through the crisis , and a $ 1 billion Pacific Motorway upgrade has been fast-tracked • The Northern Territory has launched safety plan checklists , which cover physical distancing and hygiene rules for organisations , ahead of the May 15 reopening for “ two hours or less ” businesses • Victoria will provide a further $ 491 million in tax relief for businesses participating in the JobKeeper scheme — specifically by exempting payroll tax and the WorkCover premium on payments to their employees if their staff are currently stood down • NSW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and manufacturers to locally produce ventilators • South Australia ’ s government will match the federal government ’ s support for eight council-run childcare centres at a cost of around $ 700,000 • Tasmania has established a PPE supply register to assist businesses needing personal protective equipment in order to continue operating .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Because neither snow nor rain nor heat nor a global pandemic can stop the Nats fighting amongst themselves , the NSW Deputy Premier has accused the Deputy Prime Minister of hampering his Eden-Monaro bid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will live in insufferable heat within 50 years – study Coalition has ‘ no excuse ’ not to extend JobSeeker to visa holders , ACTU says Police could be sued over Laidley photo leak , lawyer warns Prison advocates call on government to take more action to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in jails Chief Public Health Officer fears SA could face second wave of coronavirus cases from interstate ( $ ) Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has 24/7 Australian Federal Police detail due to threats over the economic impact of COVID-19 ( $ ) Crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D investment ( $ ) — Kim Carr ( The Australian ) : “ This pandemic has made it impossible to conceal dangerous weaknesses in the Australian economy that the Morrison government previously preferred to ignore .
The greatest of these are the decline in manufacturing , the attrition of our science and research resources , and the loss of jobs , skills and economic complexity resulting from both.
” Scrap the Powerhouse plan and use the $ 1.5 billion to save Carriageworks — Clover Moore ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads us to chronically undervalue our arts and culture ?
It has not always been so , but in recent decades , we have seen diminishing funding , dwindling federal and state support , a slackening of interest among our decision makers , and a sense almost of apathy about one of the most vital sectors of our society and economy.
” Why a trans-Tasman travel bubble makes a lot of sense for Australia and New Zealand — Freya Higgins-Desbiolles and James Higham ( The Conversation ) : “ Historically , limited travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current Communist states .
Nevertheless , for Australia and New Zealand in 2020 , the idea of a travel safe zone makes a lot of sense.
” • The Senate inquiry into COVID-19 will hear from the Attorney-General ’ s Department , Digital Transformation Agency , and Department of Health .
• The Smart Energy Council will host digital event “ Stimulus Summit : A Renewables-Led Economic Recovery ” , to feature speeches from premiers , ministers , CEOs and energy experts .

UK DEATH COUNT RISES
Britain has overtaken Italy as the country with the second-highest COVID-19 death toll. It has now recorded more than 32,000 deaths, to Italy’s (likely conservative) 29,000. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson — who banked on the unproven “herd immunity” strategy in March — has indicated some lockdown measures will ease over the next week.
The US has the highest death toll in the world, at more than 70,000. According to the The New York Times, in the past 24 hours New York state has reported more than 1600 previously undisclosed deaths at nursing homes and adult care facilities.
VACCINE WATCH: While still early days, the ABC reports that US drug company Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE have started trials on an experimental vaccine. See also: recent tests on antibody-laden plasma from survivors, and antiviral drug remdesivir.
TRUMP DEFLECTS AGAIN
US President Donald Trump, likely keen to deflect blame over those heartbreaking figures, has again hit out at China for failing to stop COVID-19 spreading from Wuhan. While Trump graciously acknowledged “they didn’t do it on purpose”, Reuters reports he has announced vague plans to release a report on the origins of the virus.
According to The Daily Telegraph ($), the Morrison government and its security agencies are growing increasingly concerned over Trump’s public obsession with the “Wuhan laboratory” theory.
WHAT ABOUT THAT FAILED COUP? Elsewhere, the ABC reports that Trump has denied any involvement by the US government in a failed armed incursion against Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro alleged that the group of 13 were “terrorists”, led by two American “mercenaries”, coordinated by Washington.
AN UNLAWFUL COVIDSAFE PUSH
The Daily Telegraph ($) reports that staff at Sydney’s Strathfield Council have been forced to put COVIDSafe on to their work smartphones. This constitutes a breach of Health Minister Greg Hunt’s determination under the Biosecurity Act against forcing someone to download the app.
THE PRESSURE IS ON: After The Canberra Times yesterday published Scott Morrison’s front-page plea to download the app, news.com.au has published an op-ed comparing anyone worried about the privacy/functionality/efficacy of the app with anti-vaxxers.
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
COVID CLUSTERS
According to The Australian ($), the Melbourne abattoir at the heart of one of Victoria’s largest outbreaks was given a three-week “headstart” after state health officials determined the first infected employee “had not been at work while infectious” and the business was therefore “not considered an exposure site”. There have now been 45 cases traced to the facility.
As The Guardian reports, the news comes after the Ruby Princess inquiry heard that a senior doctor on board the cruise had told a NSW Health employee that “we just have to stop all cruise ships” from as early as March 8.
Finally, the ABC reports that the Anglicare Newmarch House aged care facility in Sydney has recorded its 16th death, as three more staff test positive.
STATE WRAP
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
[In a text to Michael McCormack]: “To feel threatened by me clearly shows you have failed your team and failed as a leader.” John Barilaro
Because neither snow nor rain nor heat nor a global pandemic can stop the Nats fighting amongst themselves, the NSW Deputy Premier has accused the Deputy Prime Minister of hampering his Eden-Monaro bid.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
One billion people will live in insufferable heat within 50 years – study
NSW government considers Sydney Opera House takeover of Carriageworks
Treasurer rules out JobSeeker increase after virus claims 1 million jobs
Unemployed students falling off ‘benefit cliff’
Coalition has ‘no excuse’ not to extend JobSeeker to visa holders, ACTU says
Police could be sued over Laidley photo leak, lawyer warns
Prison advocates call on government to take more action to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in jails
Brisbane City Council scraps planned $50,000 PPE donation to China
Chief Public Health Officer fears SA could face second wave of coronavirus cases from interstate ($)
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has 24/7 Australian Federal Police detail due to threats over the economic impact of COVID-19 ($)
THE COMMENTARIAT
Crisis has exposed our neglect of R&D investment ($) — Kim Carr (The Australian): “This pandemic has made it impossible to conceal dangerous weaknesses in the Australian economy that the Morrison government previously preferred to ignore. The greatest of these are the decline in manufacturing, the attrition of our science and research resources, and the loss of jobs, skills and economic complexity resulting from both.”
Scrap the Powerhouse plan and use the $1.5 billion to save Carriageworks — Clover Moore (The Sydney Morning Herald): “What is it about Australians that leads us to chronically undervalue our arts and culture? It has not always been so, but in recent decades, we have seen diminishing funding, dwindling federal and state support, a slackening of interest among our decision makers, and a sense almost of apathy about one of the most vital sectors of our society and economy.”
Why a trans-Tasman travel bubble makes a lot of sense for Australia and New Zealand — Freya Higgins-Desbiolles and James Higham (The Conversation): “Historically, limited travel circuits have been associated with former and current Communist states. Nevertheless, for Australia and New Zealand in 2020, the idea of a travel safe zone makes a lot of sense.”
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The Senate inquiry into COVID-19 will hear from the Attorney-General’s Department, Digital Transformation Agency, and Department of Health.
Australia
The Smart Energy Council will host digital event “Stimulus Summit: A Renewables-Led Economic Recovery”, to feature speeches from premiers, ministers, CEOs and energy experts.
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-05-04--Fact checking Clive Palmer's hydroxychloroquine claims

Billionaire businessman Clive Palmer has taken out ads in major newspapers spruiking hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment .
As the world grapples with an unprecedented health crisis , it is now more important than ever to ensure that the information we share is accurate and fact-based .
Fake news and misinformation seem to be spreading as fast and as far as the virus itself , infecting our newsfeeds and timelines at this crucial moment .
For this reason , RMIT ABC Fact Check has launched CoronaCheck , an email newsletter in which we will bring you the latest in fact-checking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
You can read the latest edition below , and subscribe to have the next newsletter delivered straight to your inbox .
Newspaper readers on the east coast were this week confronted with a series of full-page advertisements placed by billionaire Clive Palmer , who announced he had bought up nearly 33 million doses of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to aid the fight against COVID-19 .
We ’ ve taken a look at his suggestion that the drug has helped flatten the coronavirus curve in Australia .
We ’ ve also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinformation being spread about another billionaire , Bill Gates , and gone back in time to compare previous pandemics and epidemics to the one we ’ re facing now .
Billionaire businessman and former federal MP Clive Palmer took out back-to-back full-page advertisements in the Murdoch press this week announcing that his foundation had purchased 32,900,000 doses of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a donation towards Australia ’ s fight against COVID-19 .
The advertisements implied a link between a decision taken by Health Minister Greg Hunt four weeks ago to make hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia ’ s death rate since from the virus , which was the “ lowest in the world ” , while acknowledging “ the [ infections ] curve has flattened ” .
However , Australian Medical Association federal vice-president Dr Chris Zappala told RMIT ABC Fact Check that “ no correlation can be drawn ” between Australia ’ s success and Hunt ’ s announcement .
Instead , he credited the low infection and death rates to basic hygiene measures , protecting people at greater risk and having avoided overburdening the healthcare system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the published evidence remained “ very mixed ” and it was unclear whether the drug would be effective beyond its current approved limited use , which includes treatment of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis .
Hydroxychloroquine received global attention after US President Donald Trump tweeted that it would be a “ game changer ” in the fight against the coronavirus , based on small , preliminary trials in China and France .
But Politifact found the evidence was based on loosely controlled studies .
In another recent US study , which looked at 368 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher death rate in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine alone , while the drug also risked serious side effects , especially for people with pre-existing heart conditions .
The World Health Organisation recently announced a large-scale trial of several existing drugs , including hydroxychloroquine but cautioned “ against physicians and medical associations recommending or administering these unproven treatments to patients with COVID-19 or people self-medicating with them ” .
COVID-19 has captured humanity ’ s attention in 2020 , but epidemics and pandemics are not new phenomena .
In RMIT ABC Fact Check ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve taken a look at past global health disasters .
The list goes all the way back to the Black Death which is estimated to have killed more than 50 million people in the 14th century .
One interesting fact : the strain of influenza which caused the so-called Hong Kong flu pandemic in 1968 is still in circulation today .
No , Bill Gates isn ’ t trying to plant microchips in us Microsoft founder , philanthropist and world ’ s third-richest man Bill Gates has been the subject of an overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Gates and the coronavirus started circulating as early as January with claims the Gates Foundation had predicted 65 million deaths in a pandemic simulation ( it didn ’ t ) and have continued to spread throughout April with claims that a Gates Foundation-funded vaccine paralysed nearly 500,000 children ( also false ) and that Gates is being sued by India ( wrong again ) .
In another example , a Facebook post claimed Gates was freely able to prescribe drugs .
However , given Gates is not a medical doctor , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Lead Stories .
The multi-billionaire , whose foundation has so far promised $ 250 million in funding for the coronavirus response , is also not trying to “ microchip ” the world ’ s population through a coronavirus vaccine , nor is he using invisible tattoos and monitoring bracelets to track Americans .
Speaking of the Gates Foundation — despite helping fund the vaccine search , it doesn ’ t hold a patent for such a jab .
Microsoft also doesn ’ t own “ patent 666 ” for a microchip to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Facebook has talked up its efforts in stopping coronavirus misinformation from spreading on its platforms , reporters have found that the company ’ s actions are falling short .
In the same week that Mark Zuckerberg boasted that his company had “ taken down hundreds of thousands of pieces of misinformation related to COVID-19 ” , reporters at The Markup were able to place ads on both Facebook and Instagram targeting an ad category of 78 million users who were deemed interested in pseudoscience .
Kate Starbird , a professor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Markup that by allowing advertisers to target such people , Facebook was taking “ advantage of this sort of vulnerability that a person has once they ’ re going down these rabbit holes , both to pull them further down and to monetise that ” .
Facebook has since removed the pseudoscience category from its ad manager .
NewsGuard , an online trust tool , also found Facebook ’ s misinformation-fighting practices to be lacking , revealing that it had identified 31 Facebook pages , with an audience of 21 million people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The researchers say that the pages continue to publish “ blatant misinformation ” , even where there was evidence of coordinated inauthentic behaviour , which violates Facebook ’ s policies .
“ Of the posts we have identified so far publishing COVID-19 misinformation , 63 % did not have any warning or fact-check link attached to the post , ” NewsGuard noted .
Supporters of US President Donald Trump have taken to social media to defend his musings that “ powerful light ” and disinfectant could possibly be used to kill the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such Facebook post claims that when Trump talked of internal disinfectant , he was referring to “ Ultraviolet Radiation ” administered into the body .
According to the post , the method kills bacteria and has been “ used for a while now ” .
“ Just because it ’ s called a ‘ disinfectant ’ doesn ’ t mean it ’ s Pine-Sol , ” the post states .
PolitiFact found that while the post may be referring to a treatment called “ ultraviolet blood irradiation ” , used mainly in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such treatments could kill viruses or bacteria .
• # 19 : Herbs and spices such as oregano , licorice , elderberries and fennel : “ Some of these purported [ COVID-19 ] remedies include herbal therapies and teas .
There is no scientific evidence that any of these alternative remedies can prevent or cure COVID-19.
” — The National Institutes of Health ( US ) , as quoted by Reuters A report by the US State Department has found that Russian , Chinese and Iranian coronavirus disinformation narratives echo one another .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the three countries were using the coronavirus pandemic to launch a “ disinformation onslaught ” against the US .
Messages spread by the three include that the coronavirus is an American bioweapon , that the Chinese response to the virus was superior to that of the US , and that the US economy wouldn ’ t be able to handle the crisis .
The report found that some of the disinformation was pushed by state-run media outlets , as well as governments themselves .
In one example , a website run by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have promoted a conspiracy theory that Bill Gates had a hand in creating the virus .
Politico also noted that the State Department had discovered that , while the three governments had pushed out the same messages in the past , the coronavirus pandemic had accelerated the convergence of disinformation narratives .
• The Australian government ’ s official page and app • The Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious Disease Emergencies ( APPRISE ) • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( US ) Got a fact that needs checking ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email at [ email protected ] .
For more from the RMIT ABC Fact Check team , go here .

As the world grapples with an unprecedented health crisis, it is now more important than ever to ensure that the information we share is accurate and fact-based. Fake news and misinformation seem to be spreading as fast and as far as the virus itself, infecting our newsfeeds and timelines at this crucial moment.
For this reason, RMIT ABC Fact Check has launched CoronaCheck, an email newsletter in which we will bring you the latest in fact-checking from around the world in relation to the coronavirus.
You can read the latest edition below, and subscribe to have the next newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.


crikey--2020-06-12--Virus Watch: COVID commission watch, Indonesian cases spike, and bringing back tourism

The COVID-19 commission continues to avoid transparency , plus more of the latest coronavirus news .
The National COVID-19 Co-ordination @ @ @ @ @ conflicts of interest , another school is forced to close , and we see cases @ @ @ @ @ has been keeping an eye on Scott Morrison 's hand-picked , heavily corporate and entirely @ @ @ @ @ , the group tasked with shaping Australia 's economic road to recovery .
And it @ @ @ @ @ not getting any higher on its list of priorities .
Only one of the six @ @ @ @ @ Greg Combet -- volunteered to release their conflicts of interest when approached by The Guardian @

The National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission refuses to release its conflicts of interest, another school is forced to close, and we see cases spike in Indonesia.
Commission watch
Crikey has been keeping an eye on Scott Morrison’s hand-picked, heavily corporate and entirely opaque National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission, the group tasked with shaping Australia’s economic road to recovery. And it would appear that transparency is not getting any higher on its list of priorities.
Only one of the six commissioners — former Labor minister Greg Combet — volunteered to release their conflicts of interest when approached by The Guardian.


crikey--2020-06-12--We are living in a giant lab experiment — and no one knows what happens next

Living through the coronavirus pandemic has been one big experiment , teaching Australians about their country and its values .
@ @ @ @ @ , Australians have been lab rats .
Since the coronavirus hit our shores , we @ @ @ @ @ in a perverse social and scientific experiment that would probably never get ethics approval .
@ @ @ @ @ experiments , we ’ ve learned an awful lot .
We know that social distancing @ @ @ @ @ months in dismal hibernation is probably the most effective way to keep the virus under @ @ @ @ @ also learned a lot about who we are as a country .
In Australia , @ @ @ @ @ been shattered by two months of well-behaved , narc-ish compliance with one of the strictest @ @ @ @ @ the western world .
It ’ s a sharp contrast to the United States , @ @ @ @ @ to demand the right to get a haircut .

For the last three months, Australians have been lab rats. Since the coronavirus hit our shores, we’ve become unwitting participants in a perverse social and scientific experiment that would probably never get ethics approval.
By closely monitoring these population-wide experiments, we’ve learned an awful lot. We know that social distancing, avoiding gatherings, spending months in dismal hibernation is probably the most effective way to keep the virus under control.
We’ve also learned a lot about who we are as a country. In Australia, the Ned Kelly myth has been shattered by two months of well-behaved, narc-ish compliance with one of the strictest, most heavily-policed lockdowns in the western world. It’s a sharp contrast to the United States, where protesters took up arms to demand the right to get a haircut.


crikey--2020-06-12--Quiet Australians good, noisy ones bad: Morrison's double standards make it clear whose lives matter

Quiet Australians good, noisy ones bad: Morrison's double standards make it clear whose lives matter most

The Morrison government wants people to go out , gather together and spend money .
Just do n't protest .
@ @ @ @ @ to understand the tangled logic of the Morrison government , its media cheerleaders , and @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
On the one hand , recalcitrant states -- mainly Labor states -- should @ @ @ @ @ opening up their tourism sectors .
`` We need to get planes flying around Australia @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If you want to see planes flying around Australia , we need to @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says `` closed borders cost jobs .
The states should @ @ @ @ @ They should lift those borders immediately . ''

It’s becoming very hard to understand the tangled logic of the Morrison government, its media cheerleaders, and business, over remaining lockdown restrictions.
On the one hand, recalcitrant states — mainly Labor states — should end border closures and start opening up their tourism sectors. “We need to get planes flying around Australia,” Scott Morrison says. “If you want to see planes flying around Australia, we need to open up these domestic borders.”
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says “closed borders cost jobs. The states should go the full hog. They should lift those borders immediately.”


crikey--2020-06-05--We forgot the Spanish Flu. Will we remember the coronavirus?

It was the deadliest disease in human history , yet it 's treated as little more than an afterthought .
Surely this time it 'll be different .
The virus arrived in a world bruised and broken by four years of war .
Nobody knows where or how a devastating deadly strain of H1N1 A influenza virus took hold in the spring of 1918 .
It could have started in Kansas , or in France , or China .
In Spain , which stayed neutral during WWI , authorities didn ’ t censor the press to boost morale , leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And that ’ s how it got its name : Spanish Flu .
By the year ’ s end , the virus was everywhere .
Spread by a returning diaspora of soldiers , it killed in the United States , in the trenches of Europe , in India and Japan , South Africa and Brazil .
Death was messy and agonising .
Oxygen starved bodies turned red , then purple , then black .
Infected lungs filled with so much fluid that victims drowned in their beds , leaving behind sheets stained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly — within days , sometimes hours of infection .
And , unlike most viruses , it hit the young and healthy with particular severity .
Australia was lucky .
Thanks to an accident of geography , “ pneumonic influenza , ” as the flu was called here , took a while to reach our shores .
Heeding warnings from the rest of the world , we banned planes from landing , and enforced a strict quarantine on all arriving boats .
Our defences held firm until January 1919 , when the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , society shut down .
Public life stopped .
Churches closed their doors .
Schools were converted into field hospitals , teachers turned into nurses .
Doctors were rendered helpless .
All that could be done for patients was to nurse them , and hope for the best .
By the time the virus mysteriously petered out , 15,000 Australians had died .
Across the world , the death toll was somewhere between 50 and 100 million , costing three times as many lives as the Great War .
And then , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The deadliest virus ever known became another footnote to the war to end all wars .
Why did we forget ?
Every town in Australia has a memorial to the ANZACs .
Over a century later , our exploits in WWI , from the glorious failure of Gallipoli to the bloodshed on the Western Front remain etched into our national mythology .
But there are probably only a handful of monuments to the Spanish Flu in Australia .
You ’ d be hard-pressed to even find it mentioned on a gravestone .
Its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And until COVID-19 changed our world , it was the “ forgotten pandemic , ” its memory kept alive by a smattering of dedicated historians .
One of those historians is the University of Sydney ’ s Peter Hobbins , who says while memory of the pandemic has dwindled , the Australians who lived through it never forgot .
“ Effectively , the Spanish Flu was part of everyone Australian ’ s family history .
Everyone knew someone who was infected , ” Hobbins told Crikey .
Up to a third of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People remembered the masks , the compassionate community members who gave food and shelter , the sacrifice of ordinary people who nursed the ill , the black-ribboned funeral horses .
They remembered the deaths of friends and family , priests , mayors , doctors and bakers .
Those memories stayed with Australian families for decades .
But they also literally embedded itself in our immunological memory , with studies from the 1990s finding that people who ’ d been infected decades earlier still had the antibodies to show for it .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the idea of the Commonwealth playing a role in healthcare was entirely alien .
But it was the experience of mobilising a nation ’ s medical resources , of imposing quarantine , that led to the creation of a federal health department two years later .
Throughout the 1920s , Australia looked inward , sceptical of a world that had caused us so much suffering .
But the horrors of WWI loomed so large over Australia , and the world , that all the death and disruption the flu brought to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaotic historical moment .
The war overwhelmed in our memory , while the pandemic became its forgotten , tragic epilogue .
The way the pandemic faded from view tells us something important about the kind of stories we as a society choose to remember .
For centuries , we ’ ve equated war and conquest with glory .
Such stories form the backbone of so much of our art , literature , and historical narrative .
Illness , on the other hand , is seen as altogether weaker , quieter , less exciting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ill , Virginia Woolf , who lived through the Spanish Flu , laments a collective cultural failure to articulate sickness .
“ Those great wars which it [ the body ] wages with itself … in the solitude of the bedroom against the assault of fever or the oncome of melancholia are neglected , ” she writes .
And so it was with the Spanish Flu .
“ It wasn ’ t seen as glorious , it wasn ’ t seen as a sacrifice , it was seen as something beyond the control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It wasn ’ t like the Great War , where the men who joined up to fight were seen as having made a courageous sacrifice .
People who faced Spanish Flu were equally courageous , but it wasn ’ t seen as valorous in the same way.
” Carolyn Fraser , lead curator at the State Library of Victoria , says the drama of the Spanish Flu took place in the home , a space traditionally marginalised and undervalued by history .
“ We assume history is made on the battlefields , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This year , as the coronavirus broke out in cities across the world , killing thousands and grinding global capital to a halt , we finally began to remember the Spanish Flu .
Looking back at events over a century ago , the parallels with our current experience are striking — the way the virus spread silently before we even knew it , the streets and workplaces which emptied out overnight , the bodies dumped in makeshift mass graves , Australia ’ s comparative good fortune .
It seems unthinkable to imagine COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2020 , there ’ s never been a greater record of the kinds of intimate , personal stories , and of the parts of our lives where the Spanish Flu played out .
The minutiae of our collective experiences are all documented on social media — a real-time archive ready to be ripped off a dusty , forgotten Silicon Valley server decades from now .
But is that really good history ?
Even for those of us navigating it in the present , the internet is a wildly disorienting , dizzying cacophony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a historian , decades from now , make of references to 5G , Bill Gates , and the president of the United States telling people to inject themselves with disinfectant ?
Can social media platforms , where reality is under siege , really form part of a robust history of our present moment ?
A better form of collection is happening , not in our Twitter feeds , but through old fashioned public institutions like libraries , museums and galleries .
The State Library of Victoria ’ s Memory Bank project , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of everyday artefacts that tell stories of their life under the pandemic , is one such attempt to build an archive .
Similar collection drives are taking place in libraries across the country .
“ Some people think libraries and museums are only interested in collecting things of aesthetic or economic value , ” Fraser , who ’ s running the Victorian project , told Crikey .
“ But often it ’ s the ephemera that ’ s most valuable — people ’ s reflections , receipts for the things they buy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might keep and share.
” Collecting objects that might otherwise seem mundane is a kind of art .
When our phones become obsolete , when we ditch social media platforms , it ’ s archivists who will still be out there trying to migrate and preserve our digital memories .
All those pieces matter if we want this moment to be remembered .
Maybe , unlike the Spanish Flu , the coronavirus won ’ t fade from the Big Historical Picture .
Perhaps as a culture , we ’ ll choose to honour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers in 1919 .
But history shouldn ’ t need heroes .
Our personal memories , the anxious monotony of isolation , the experiences of young , healthy people brought to their knees by COVID-19 , are all equally valid .
But the process of making those memories stand the test of time lies with us .

The virus arrived in a world bruised and broken by four years of war. Nobody knows where or how a devastating deadly strain of H1N1 A influenza virus took hold in the spring of 1918.
It could have started in Kansas, or in France, or China. In Spain, which stayed neutral during WWI, authorities didn’t censor the press to boost morale, leaving newspapers free to report on the virus. And that’s how it got its name: Spanish Flu.
By the year’s end, the virus was everywhere. Spread by a returning diaspora of soldiers, it killed in the United States, in the trenches of Europe, in India and Japan, South Africa and Brazil.


crikey--2020-06-12--Blame COVID-19 for the price of meth (and other news you missed)

COVID-19 has been bad news for the illicit drugs business , Woomera gets a ( mysterious ) billion-dollar upgrade , @ @ @ @ @ question , Phil .
Here ’ s a question which doesn ’ t seem remotely @ @ @ @ @ government get its first briefing about COVID-19 from chief medical officer Brendan Murphy ?
It @ @ @ @ @ , a drab piece of diarising which you would think would be the business of @ @ @ @ @ Minister and Cabinet secretary to check , and would have an unremarkable and straightforward answer @ @ @ @ @ date .
Or , perhaps , it would be an impenetrable secret made all the @ @ @ @ @ mystery !

The brief(est)
Here’s a question which doesn’t seem remotely interesting: when did the government get its first briefing about COVID-19 from chief medical officer Brendan Murphy?
It’s a dull question, a drab piece of diarising which you would think would be the business of mere seconds for the Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary to check, and would have an unremarkable and straightforward answer in the form of a date.
Or, perhaps, it would be an impenetrable secret made all the more tantalising by its very mystery!


crikey--2020-03-17--Worm: I got ninety-nine patrons but I can't add one

Good morning , early birds .
Scott Morrison is today expected to ban over-100 crowds across pubs , cinemas and restaurants , and will also announce $ 715 million in waived domestic fees for the airline industry .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Following back-to-back meetings with the National Security Committee and the national cabinet late last night , Scott Morrison is expected to announce bans on over-100 crowds across pubs , cinemas and restaurants , The Sydney Morning Herald reports .
As 97,000 new testing kits start to arrive in Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken with chief medical officers on potential measures to protect people in aged-care homes and remote Indigenous communities .
ON THE LATTER : Labor has called for a suspension of mutual obligations for the Indigenous-focused community development program , as The Guardian reports people are still being expected to attend group activities .
The Morrison government will today announce $ 715 million in waived domestic fees for the airline industry , according to the ABC , in just one plank of another coronavirus relief package set to prioritise the tourism and hospitality sectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSW ’ s and Tasmania ’ s state stimulus packages , comes as regional airline REX warns of just “ weeks of reserves ” , Qantas and Jetstar slash 90 % of their international flights , and DFAT calls for any Australians abroad wanting to come home to do so ASAP ahead of potential border closures .
IN RELATED NEWS : The similarly devastated arts industry has called for an $ 850 million package , while the airlines ’ American counterparts aim for a cool $ 50 billion .
• Spain has nationalised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes into lockdown ( Business Insider ) , while Italy plans to renationalise airline Alitalia ( The Local ) .
• The EU is preparing for an imminent travel ban ( The Guardian ) , as France joins Spain and Italy in national lockdown , and the UK dumps the discredited “ herd immunity ” policy for months of quarantine measures ( The Guardian ) .
• Iran has briefly released 85,000 prisoners due to pressure on the jail system ( Al Jazeera ) .
• Despite receiving next to no media attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to African nations with high population densities , relatively weak healthcare systems , and over-representations of infectious diseases ( Science ) .
Across the pond , New Zealand has dwarfed Australia with a $ 12.1 billion package aimed at healthcare capacity , businesses , seniors and low-income families , and people who can not work during isolation .
That ’ s roughly 4 % of its GDP to Australia ’ s < 1 % , according to The Conversation .
AND ALSO : The country does get a slight win out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian Border Force has suspended its controversial New Zealand deportation scheme .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
After managing to get “ Marie Antoinette ” trending on Twitter , the Liberal senator goes on to argue with critics in just absolute good faith .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Health chiefs warn population to stay away from hospitals unless it ’ s urgent Coronavirus ban : more than 100 Australian doctors and dentists stuck on cruise ship off Chile The coronavirus looks less deadly than first reported , but it ’ s definitely not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee and Sebastian Duchene ( The Conversation ) : “ The avalanche of coronavirus infections in the current pandemic has been accompanied by a similar avalanche of information , making it hard to sift reliable news from the noise .
Among the most crucial questions is : how deadly is the SARS-CoV-2 virus ?
” ‘ Rotten .
Shameful ’ : Surely no one can now ignore the abuses of the SAS — Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ No Australian could now credibly deny that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers committed executions of Afghans , such was the power of a video obtained by Four Corners and broadcast on Monday night.
” In this time of crisis , we must unite to protect the frail ( $ ) — Rita Panahi ( The Herald-Sun ) : “ Times of crisis bring out the best and worst in mankind .
Recently we ’ ve seen people brawling over toilet paper and supermarket shelves stripped of essential items .
Some , including the elderly and infirm , are going without while others selfishly stockpile.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jodie McVernon , associated professor Kamalina Lokuge and associate professor Vanessa Johnston , will discuss the coronavirus at the National Press Club .

STRICTER CROWD CONTROL
Following back-to-back meetings with the National Security Committee and the national cabinet late last night, Scott Morrison is expected to announce bans on over-100 crowds across pubs, cinemas and restaurants, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
As 97,000 new testing kits start to arrive in Australia, the ABC reports Morrison has also spoken with chief medical officers on potential measures to protect people in aged-care homes and remote Indigenous communities.
ON THE LATTER: Labor has called for a suspension of mutual obligations for the Indigenous-focused community development program, as The Guardian reports people are still being expected to attend group activities.
EMERGENCY LANDING
The Morrison government will today announce $715 million in waived domestic fees for the airline industry, according to the ABC, in just one plank of another coronavirus relief package set to prioritise the tourism and hospitality sectors.
The announcement, which follows both NSW’s and Tasmania’s state stimulus packages, comes as regional airline REX warns of just “weeks of reserves”, Qantas and Jetstar slash 90% of their international flights, and DFAT calls for any Australians abroad wanting to come home to do so ASAP ahead of potential border closures.
IN RELATED NEWS: The similarly devastated arts industry has called for an $850 million package, while the airlines’ American counterparts aim for a cool $50 billion.
VIRUS WATCH
Spain has nationalised its private healthcare system as the country goes into lockdown (Business Insider), while Italy plans to renationalise airline Alitalia (The Local).
The EU is preparing for an imminent travel ban (The Guardian), as France joins Spain and Italy in national lockdown, and the UK dumps the discredited “herd immunity” policy for months of quarantine measures (The Guardian).
Iran has briefly released 85,000 prisoners due to pressure on the jail system (Al Jazeera).
Despite receiving next to no media attention, the virus currently poses a massive threat to African nations with high population densities, relatively weak healthcare systems, and over-representations of infectious diseases (Science).
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
NEW ZEALAND’S $12.1 BILLION PACKAGE
Across the pond, New Zealand has dwarfed Australia with a $12.1 billion package aimed at healthcare capacity, businesses, seniors and low-income families, and people who cannot work during isolation. That’s roughly 4% of its GDP to Australia’s <1%, according to The Conversation.
AND ALSO: The country does get a slight win out of the crisis, with Newshub reporting the Australian Border Force has suspended its controversial New Zealand deportation scheme.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
If panic buying or cooking isn’t your thing, caterers have had their businesses slow down/come to a screeching halt as events are cancelled. Perhaps give a catering company a call & see if they’ll do meals for you to have at home? Hollie Hughes
After managing to get “Marie Antoinette” trending on Twitter, the Liberal senator goes on to argue with critics in just absolute good faith.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Health chiefs warn population to stay away from hospitals unless it’s urgent
Coronavirus school closures: dozens of Australian private schools move to online learning
Budget deficit could hit $100 billion as virus recession risk grows
Victoria lifts moratorium on onshore gas, but permanently bans fracking
Coronavirus ban: more than 100 Australian doctors and dentists stuck on cruise ship off Chile
THE COMMENTARIAT
The coronavirus looks less deadly than first reported, but it’s definitely not ‘just a flu’ — Mike Lee and Sebastian Duchene (The Conversation): “The avalanche of coronavirus infections in the current pandemic has been accompanied by a similar avalanche of information, making it hard to sift reliable news from the noise. Among the most crucial questions is: how deadly is the SARS-CoV-2 virus?”
‘Rotten. Shameful’: Surely no one can now ignore the abuses of the SAS — Nick McKenzie and Chris Masters (The Sydney Morning Herald): “No Australian could now credibly deny that a small number of our special forces soldiers committed executions of Afghans, such was the power of a video obtained by Four Corners and broadcast on Monday night.”
In this time of crisis, we must unite to protect the frail ($) — Rita Panahi (The Herald-Sun): “Times of crisis bring out the best and worst in mankind. Recently we’ve seen people brawling over toilet paper and supermarket shelves stripped of essential items. Some, including the elderly and infirm, are going without while others selfishly stockpile.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra


crikey--2020-04-22--Why Netflix has double immunity to the ravages of COVID-19

With surging subscribers and no declining ad revenue to worry about , Netflix is thriving amid the pandemic — and @ @ @ @ @ one .
After adding a record 15 million-plus subscribers around the world , boosting revenue @ @ @ @ @ in the three months to March , the US streaming video giant Netflix has confirmed @ @ @ @ @ for the COVID-19 social distancing era — along with Amazon , which reports next week @ @ @ @ @ like Coca-Cola -- which reported a 25 % drop in sales volumes in the first @ @ @ @ @ or other media companies such as Disney , which may have 50 million subscribers to @ @ @ @ @ leaking hundreds of millions of dollars a week with its theme parks , TV studios @ @ @ @ @ , film studios and merchandising operations running on empty or closed .
Netflix is as @ @ @ @ @ empire like that of the Murdoch clan 's Fox and News Corp as chalk is @ @ @

After adding a record 15 million-plus subscribers around the world, boosting revenue 26% and doubling earnings in the three months to March, the US streaming video giant Netflix has confirmed that it is the stock for the COVID-19 social distancing era — along with Amazon, which reports next week.
It’s not companies like Coca-Cola — which reported a 25% drop in sales volumes in the first three weeks of April — or other media companies such as Disney, which may have 50 million subscribers to its streaming service but is leaking hundreds of millions of dollars a week with its theme parks, TV studios, sports network, ESPN, film studios and merchandising operations running on empty or closed.


crikey--2020-04-23--Is it illegal under the constitution for a state to close its borders to other Australians?

As states closed their borders to stop the spread of COVID-19 , claims surfaced that it might be illegal under the consitution .
Efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19 have led to a range of restrictions at some interstate and territory borders .
When Queensland closed its borders on April 3 , former foreign minister and high commissioner to the United Kingdom Alexander Downer took to Twitter , questioning the constitutional validity of the move : “ I don ’ t think an Australian state can legally close its borders to other Australians under section 117 of the constitution.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that prohibit a state discriminating against Australian citizens who are residents of other states .
However , constitutional experts contacted by Fact Check said it has long been accepted by the courts that there can be valid exceptions to these prohibitions , where it is necessary to protect the people of a state from the risk of injury from inbound goods , animals , and people .
They said the deadly coronavirus was likely to fall under such an exception as long as the restrictions imposed by a state are limited to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting public health and do not single out people ’ s interstate status without good reason .
The states and territories have taken different approaches to who can enter their borders as a result of the coronavirus pandemic , resulting in some significant variations across the country .
For example , financial penalties for non-compliance with travel rules and restrictions vary from $ 13,335 in Queensland to a maximum of $ 62,800 in the Northern Territory , where incoming people are required to record details of where they are staying .
In Queensland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undertaking essential activities and those considered an “ exempt person ” can cross the state ’ s border .
NSW , Victoria and the ACT remain open for now , although all non-essential travel is strongly discouraged and as in all states , travellers from overseas are required to complete a 14-day quarantine in a hotel at the port they enter .
South Australia has imposed forced quarantine for those crossing its borders but is allowing people who live in communities bordering the state to come and go in the ordinary course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In contrast , under Western Australia ‘ s tough restrictions announced the day before Downer ’ s tweet , travellers are barred unless providing essential services under the state ’ s Quarantine ( Closing the Border ) Directions .
Tasmania was the first state to announce border restrictions on March 19 , but residents and essential workers are allowed aboard the Spirit of Tasmania ferry .
Self-isolation periods of 14 days are common across the states with border restrictions , but some are imposing measures that others do not .
For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents , requires an entry pass .
In Western Australia , everyone seeking an exemption to its self-isolation rule must make a formal application .
What does section 117 have to do with it ?
In his tweet , Downer referred to section 117 of the constitution , which deals with discriminating against non-residents of a state .
It says : “ A subject of the Queen , resident in any state , shall not be subject in any other state to any disability or discrimination which would not be equally applicable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Queen resident in such other state.
” According to a 2016 report by the Australian Law Reform Commission , section 117 “ which provides protection against discrimination on the basis of state of residence , may also protect freedom of movement within Australia ” .
Anne Twomey , a professor of constitutional law at the University of Sydney , told Fact Check section 117 “ is not absolute in its application ” .
This means there are certain activities , such as voting in state elections , which are appropriately confined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section 117 does not affect state laws that are reasonably necessary for the safety of the state or its people , ” Twomey said .
“ States can , for example , make laws that would prevent unqualified or incompetent interstate medical practitioners from practising in the state .
“ They could , accordingly , also discriminate against residents of other states if it were for the purpose of protecting the people of the state from a deadly communicable disease , as long as the law was reasonably appropriate and adapted to protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the purposes of discrimination.
” What else does the constitution say on border closure ?
Constitutional law experts contacted by Fact Check said that while section 117 is relevant to the legality of state border closures , section 92 of the constitution is the more applicable provision .
Section 92 says that “ trade , commerce , and intercourse among the states , whether by means of internal carriage or ocean navigation , shall be absolutely free.
” George Williams from the University of NSW told Fact Check the key word is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and travel .
In effect , it guarantees free movement throughout the federation .
“ This , though , is subject to exception , including reasonable measures to deal with a public health emergency , ” Williams said .
“ It is hard to see that the current circumstances would fail to qualify , unless it can be shown that closing state borders is in some way disproportionate to the health threat or has been imposed arbitrarily.
” James Stellios from ANU College of Law told Fact Check that despite section 92 ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the High Court has recognised that the protection is not absolute , and that states can impose certain limits for certain purposes .
Stellios said it ’ s likely that preventing the spread of COVID-19 would count as a legitimate reason “ for regulating the free movement of people and , depending on the science of how it spreads , perhaps interstate trade and commerce ” .
However , he cautioned that states can only take measures that are reasonably necessary to achieve that objective .
“ The fact that the states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties for the states that take more stringent approaches .
“ If lesser measures can achieve the same risk prevention as the more stringent measures ( or if the impact between them is minimal ) , then the more stringent measures might be seen to be unreasonably burdensome and , thus in breach of section 92 of the constitution.
” Cheryl Saunders from the University of Melbourne Law School said neither section 117 nor section 92 “ contains an absolute prohibition ” on state border closures .
“ Both are read by reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They have never been tested in circumstances like the present , obviously , but as long as the restrictions are limited to the life of the emergency , tailored to protecting public health , and do not single out interstateness without good reason , I would expect them to be able to operate consistently with the constitution.
” Have borders been closed before ?
State border closures might seem dramatic , but they have happened before in response to a deadly virus .
Medical historian in the Department of History at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Check that during the global Spanish flu pandemic in 1918-1919 there was considerable debate and dissention over state border closures .
In November 1918 the Commonwealth and states had agreed that while the Commonwealth managed maritime quarantine to keep pneumonic influenza out , internal borders would only be closed after joint consultation .
That agreement broke down almost immediately after the first cases arrived in NSW from Victoria in late January 1919 .
This prompted the Victorian government to admit that they had cases themselves , leading NSW to unilaterally close the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed , “ at which point the Commonwealth threw up their hands and left the states to squabble among themselves , ” Hobbins said .
In 2018 , Hobbins ran a series of community history workshops on the 1919 pandemic around NSW , including the border towns of Tenterfield and Albury .
He said both communities had similar stories to tell about how they had suddenly become home to hundreds of out-of-state citizens who were locked out of returning home .
“ Initially there was some leeway — usually for residents who lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — but the restrictions soon became stronger , ” Hobbins said .
“ The result was that for the first few weeks of February 1919 , these unfortunate souls were held without facilities or compensation in border towns , and had to fall on the charity of locals .
Gradually , more formal quarantine stations were set up , usually comprising tents in the local showground , where those wishing to cross the border had to wait out four to seven days to confirm that they were free of influenza .
I believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three shillings per day to the state government for the privilege of being quarantined , though few did and even fewer were pursued for their arrears , ” he said .
The historical society in the NSW South Coast town of Moruya recently revisited the controversy , recording that The Moruya Examiner carried “ latest telegrams ” from its Sydney correspondent on February 1 , 1919 that said : “ The Victorian and Federal governments are strongly protesting at the action of the New South Wales government in closing the border to traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the agreement made in November.
” The newspaper also noted that Commonwealth maritime quarantine restrictions applied to those who did manage to return to their home state from NSW by sea : “ Hundreds of Queenslanders marooned on the Tweed River are prohibited from returning to Queensland and must come to Sydney , thence by steamer to Brisbane , where they will be seven days in quarantine.
” • Mark McGowan , Premier of WA , Media release : Temporary border closure to better protect Western Australians , April 2 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diary of a pandemic – the Spanish Flu in Moruya , April 2 2020 • Northern Territory of Australia , Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 COVID-19 Directions ( No 7 ) , 2020 • Western Australia Government , WA entry , request for approval as an exempt traveller , April 2020

The claim
Efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19 have led to a range of restrictions at some interstate and territory borders.
When Queensland closed its borders on April 3, former foreign minister and high commissioner to the United Kingdom Alexander Downer took to Twitter, questioning the constitutional validity of the move: “I don’t think an Australian state can legally close its borders to other Australians under section 117 of the constitution.”
Is he correct? RMIT ABC Fact Check investigates.


crikey--2020-05-11--Worm: Frydenberg's billion-dollar warning

Good morning , early birds .
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg warns Australians stand to lose billions if states are forced to resume shutdowns , and in Blighty , PM Boris Johnson wants everyone back to work quick smart .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
As parliament resumes today , both The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian ( $ ) report that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will today use an economic statement — one that replaces the shelved budget address — to warn that Australians risk billions in dollars if social distancing fails and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The news comes as KPMG releases a new report suggesting the most severely damaged industries — hospitality and accommodation , air transport , retail and the arts — will take two years to recover losses inflicted by the pandemic ; as the ABC reports , the government has also been warned that 21,000 full-time research jobs are at risk but are ineligible for JobKeeper .
LABOR ’ S PLAN FOR HOUSING : According to the SMH , Labor will push for a National Housing Stimulus Plan driven by superannuation funds and the private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where ‘ the curve ’ has only begun to flatten to around 4,000 new daily cases after highs of 6,000 earlier this month , the BBC and ABC reports that Boris Johnson has created some confusion over a 51-page , disparate plan to reopening the economy .
Johnson , who announced that the “ Stay at home ” directive to save lives now sits at “ Stay alert , ” urged people to avoid public transport and stay at home if possible while also claiming those unable to work from home should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work ; Scotland , Ireland and Wales , at any rate , are sticking to “ stay home ” until the end of the month .
FOR A FEEL OF THE MOOD : To see what the actual experts think of Johnson ’ s plan for “ a large-scale return to work without the ability to test , trace and isolate risks creating super-spreader events , ” check out Oxford epidemiologist David Hunter ’ s damning Guardian op-ed .
COVIDSAFE BILL TO BE INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT The government will today introduce legislation governing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Privacy Amendment ( Public Health Contact Information ) Bill 2020 , to replace Greg Hunt ’ s regulatory Determination .
As The Conversation unpacked last week , the draft bill also includes some new user protections , such as the ability to individually pursue criminal proceedings over privacy breaches , but includes some outstanding issues i.e .
potential loopholes around “ positive discrimination ” in the rules against coercion .
WHEREFORE TASMANIA ?
: According to Gizmodo , developers unpacking the app ’ s source code — all of which has been released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon ’ s server data — have discovered that Tasmania is missing on an ( apparently unused ) string of data .
• Yesterday , the Victorian government announced that some stay at home measures will be eased from 11.59pm tonight , Tuesday 12 May , including up to five visitors allowed into a home .
• The Victorian , Tasmanian and South Australian governments all announced expansions of their current testing efforts to coincide with eased restrictions , i.e .
SA Pathology ’ s new aged care unit .
• Children began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; additionally , the Northern Territory government announced that school attendance has returned to pre-pandemic levels .
• Select NSW courts resumed jury trials yesterday with new social distancing and hygiene requirements .
• Finally , the SA government announced two new family-oriented initiatives : • a new social media campaign encouraging South Australians to consider foster care throughout this period ; and • a free parenting webinar run by Parenting SA that , tonight at 7pm local time , will address common COVID-19 concerns over ( somewhat ironically ) screen time among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SAID THAT ?
In their appeal against Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young ’ s successful defamation case , the lawyer for former senator David Leyonhjelm offers a dim — if depressingly accurate — view of Australian politics .
READ ALL ABOUT IT China ’ s fury over steel is behind the barley threat ( $ ) Vaccines , 5G , Bill Gates : why are Australians gathering to spread coronavirus conspiracy theories ?
Coronavirus ‘ immunity ’ certificates could help the world reopen , but experts say they ’ re ‘ extremely dangerous ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modelling showing workers not better off Time to open the borders between the NT , SA and WA , say business leaders ( $ ) Russia overtakes Italy and Britain after record rise in coronavirus cases Jerry Stiller , star of Seinfeld and father of Ben , dies aged 92 How Jack Mundey and his mates saved Sydney — Dr Meredith Burgmann ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ A hero of the labour movement and a giant of international environmentalism is gone .
John Bernard ( Jack ) Mundey died on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father of urban environmentalism in Australia .
Under his inspired leadership , a humble pick-and-shovel union of builders ’ labourers changed the way we think about urban planning and saved the face of Sydney that we know today.
” Coronavirus killed May ’ s Federal Budget .
Now three huge hurdles stand in the way of getting back on track — David Taylor ( ABC ) : “ Today should have been Budget night , with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg fronting the nation for the second time to convey to the nation his plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path to sustainable economic growth.
” Ita Buttrose ’ s plea to older Australians : ‘ Don ’ t let pandemic panic steal your vision ’ ( $ ) — Ita Buttrose ( Herald Sun ) : “ There ’ s no doubt Australians heeded the message that they needed to socially isolate if we were to slow down the spread of COVID-19 successfully — which we have .
However , it seems some Australians have taken the message not to leave home too literally .
”

DON’T FUCK IT UP: FRYDENBERG
As parliament resumes today, both The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian ($) report that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will today use an economic statement — one that replaces the shelved budget address — to warn that Australians risk billions in dollars if social distancing fails and states are forced to resume shutdowns.
The news comes as KPMG releases a new report suggesting the most severely damaged industries — hospitality and accommodation, air transport, retail and the arts — will take two years to recover losses inflicted by the pandemic; as the ABC reports, the government has also been warned that 21,000 full-time research jobs are at risk but are ineligible for JobKeeper.
LABOR’S PLAN FOR HOUSING: According to the SMH, Labor will push for a National Housing Stimulus Plan driven by superannuation funds and the private sector.
GET BACK TO WORK: BORIS
Over in the UK, where ‘the curve’ has only begun to flatten to around 4,000 new daily cases after highs of 6,000 earlier this month, the BBC and ABC reports that Boris Johnson has created some confusion over a 51-page, disparate plan to reopening the economy.
Johnson, who announced that the “Stay at home” directive to save lives now sits at “Stay alert,” urged people to avoid public transport and stay at home if possible while also claiming those unable to work from home should be “actively encouraged” to return to work; Scotland, Ireland and Wales, at any rate, are sticking to “stay home” until the end of the month.
FOR A FEEL OF THE MOOD: To see what the actual experts think of Johnson’s plan for “a large-scale return to work without the ability to test, trace and isolate risks creating super-spreader events,” check out Oxford epidemiologist David Hunter’s damning Guardian op-ed.
COVIDSAFE BILL TO BE INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT
The government will today introduce legislation governing the use of COVIDSafe data, the Privacy Amendment (Public Health Contact Information) Bill 2020, to replace Greg Hunt’s regulatory Determination.
As The Conversation unpacked last week, the draft bill also includes some new user protections, such as the ability to individually pursue criminal proceedings over privacy breaches, but includes some outstanding issues i.e. potential loopholes around “positive discrimination” in the rules against coercion.
WHEREFORE TASMANIA?: According to Gizmodo, developers unpacking the app’s source code — all of which has been released by the Digital Transformation Agency save for Amazon’s server data — have discovered that Tasmania is missing on an (apparently unused) string of data.
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
STATE WRAP
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
The purpose of politics, as far as I can tell, is to use any means whatsoever within reason, and that’s the question, what is within reason, to raise your party and denigrate the other party. Dr Gillian Dempsey
In their appeal against Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s successful defamation case, the lawyer for former senator David Leyonhjelm offers a dim — if depressingly accurate — view of Australian politics.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
China’s fury over steel is behind the barley threat ($)
Incitec Pivot avoids $2.8m penalty after pollution dump
Vaccines, 5G, Bill Gates: why are Australians gathering to spread coronavirus conspiracy theories?
PayPal in Austrac crosshairs over ‘300 million breaches’ ($)
Coronavirus ‘immunity’ certificates could help the world reopen, but experts say they’re ‘extremely dangerous’
Senior Education Department executive stood aside ($)
BHP pay deal approved despite Fair Work modelling showing workers not better off
Global carbon emissions to slump – but Australia’s electricity grid flatlines
Time to open the borders between the NT, SA and WA, say business leaders ($)
Move to block ‘offensive’ pay rise for NSW Police Commissioner ($)
Russia overtakes Italy and Britain after record rise in coronavirus cases
Jerry Stiller, star of Seinfeld and father of Ben, dies aged 92
THE COMMENTARIAT
How Jack Mundey and his mates saved Sydney — Dr Meredith Burgmann (The Sydney Morning Herald): “A hero of the labour movement and a giant of international environmentalism is gone. John Bernard (Jack) Mundey died on Sunday aged 90. Mundey was the father of urban environmentalism in Australia. Under his inspired leadership, a humble pick-and-shovel union of builders’ labourers changed the way we think about urban planning and saved the face of Sydney that we know today.”
Coronavirus killed May’s Federal Budget. Now three huge hurdles stand in the way of getting back on track — David Taylor (ABC): “Today should have been Budget night, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg fronting the nation for the second time to convey to the nation his plan to balance the books and forge rock-solid path to sustainable economic growth.”
Ita Buttrose’s plea to older Australians: ‘Don’t let pandemic panic steal your vision’ ($) — Ita Buttrose (Herald Sun): “There’s no doubt Australians heeded the message that they needed to socially isolate if we were to slow down the spread of COVID-19 successfully — which we have. However, it seems some Australians have taken the message not to leave home too literally.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-05-08--Morrison’s three-stage plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions explained

Here is Morrison 's three-stage plan to ease coronavirus restrictions across Australia over the coming months .
A three-stage plan to ease coronavirus restrictions as laid out by prime minister Scott Morrison and chief medical officer Brendan Murphy , today , May 8 , has begun to offer the public an idea into what the next three months will look like for Australians .
Morrison and Murphy state that stage one will be all about allowing for better connection between family and friends .
During stage one , Australians will also begin to start seeing certain businesses , sporting facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For professionals , it is recommended that employees continue to work from home , however , businesses should start thinking about COVID-safe plans to return to work in the coming months .
Students and children will be further integrated back into the community .
Universities and colleges will begin increasing face-to-face teaching where it is safe to do so .
Stage one will mean that : • 10 people will be able to gather in public • 5 visitors will be allowed in homes • 10 mourners will now be allowed to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attend outdoor funerals • 10 guests will now be allowed to attend wedding ceremonies excluding the couple and celebrant • Up to 10 people will now be allowed to attend religious gatherings • Up to 10 people will be able to use outdoor gyms • Up to 10 people will be able to use skateparks • Up to 10 people will be able to use playgrounds • Up to 10 people will be able to take part in non-contact sports such as golf and athletics .
The following businesses will be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time : These businesses will need to adhere to the four-metre per person rule .
Hotels and hostels will begin to reopen and hairdressers and barbers will be allowed to open , however they will need to keep appointments short .
Both business types will need to take contact details of each customer to enable contact tracing should there be further outbreaks down the line .
State borders will remain closed until further notice , however , travelling to regional areas for recreational activities will be allowed .
Queensland started stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress to stage two on May 15 .
Tasmania will progress to stage one on May 18 .
Other states and territories have not yet specified a start date for stage one .
Stage two will depend on the progress made during stage one .
While it is expected that there will be a second surge in coronavirus cases , the extent of this number will guide the progress of stage two .
The number of people allowed to gather will increase , though this number has not yet been specified for home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The following businesses will be allowed to open their doors to 20 people at a time : Additionally , the following venues will be allowed to open their doors to 20 patrons at a time : Hairdressers , beauty salons , tattoo and massage parlours will be allowed to open their doors to 20 people , they will need to take contact details for the purpose of contact tracing .
During stage two , inter and intrastate travel will be considered on a case by case basis for each state and territory .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ made during stage one and stage two .
At this point , it is hypothesized that stage three could resemble life a lot more closely to how we once knew it .
During stage three , it is hoped that the entire workforce and student body will be back to normality .
Gatherings of 10 people in stage one could become 100 people during stage three .
The following venues may be allowed to host 100 patrons ( adhering to the 4-metre rule ) during stage three : All going well , pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open during stage three .
When it comes to travel , nothing is set in stone .
It will depend on the progress made by each state and territory .
Moving through stages one to three is at the discretion of each state and territory , while Queensland and Tasmania have already sent out save the dates , there is more to follow from the rest .

A three-stage plan to ease coronavirus restrictions as laid out by prime minister Scott Morrison and chief medical officer Brendan Murphy, today, May 8, has begun to offer the public an idea into what the next three months will look like for Australians.
Watch the full video here:
Stage one
Morrison and Murphy state that stage one will be all about allowing for better connection between family and friends. During stage one, Australians will also begin to start seeing certain businesses, sporting facilities and educational campuses beginning to re-open.