crikey--2020-05-22--Social distancing in South Australia

Social distancing in South Australia

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

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


crikey--2020-05-22--Neglected to death: David Harris’ life reveals the awful burden of mental illness

In the last months of his life , David Harris was gradually cut off from the mental health system that should have been supporting him .
David Harris died alone in his kitchen in early 2019 .
Found in July , his body was so decomposed that the coroner could not say exactly what day he died or how .
He was 55 , and for 35 of those years , western Sydney ’ s mental health system did its best to help Harris cope with severe schizophrenia .
Or did it ?
By the time he died , Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the services which had kept him in this world .
Bounced from service to service as programs were defunded — sometimes referred to some that didn ’ t even exist — the amount of care and contact Harris had with the community was cut back at every step .
Quiet and withdrawn , a common symptom of schizophrenia , he was unable to fight for better services when the ones he relied on were defunded .
Yet he needed them to cope .
Within the last five years of his life his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining family member , Leanne Longfellow said Harris had become very reserved .
“ Talking with him was a challenge… he didn ’ t like to answer the phone so we ’ d sent letters , ” she said .
“ He was my brother and I loved him very much.
” By early last year the only service provider he had left was the National Disability Insurance Scheme ( NDIS ) .
Within days or perhaps weeks of that being cancelled — because he had stopped answering phone calls and , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find out why — he was dead .
Losing the NDIS lifeline kept him in contact with the outside world .
Instead , Harris , unable to be heard or unwilling or incapable of speaking out , sank into oblivion .
A police report notes that when conducting a welfare check , “ police were immediately aware of the smell of decomposition ” .
Yet his neighbours , living with severe mental illness themselves , hadn ’ t noticed .
His cleaner had last stopped by on April 1 , the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Australia ’ s mental health support system is fractured and dysfunctional .
Information is not passed from service to service .
Community workers , untrained and underpaid , have little experience dealing with the complex needs of those living with mental illness .
Hospitals and rehabilitation centres , underfunded and over capacity even before COVID-19 , are ill-equipped to deal with mental health patients .
Patients often fall through the cracks .
David Harris fell as far as possible due , as Inq has discovered , to at least five separate failures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help him .
But his is not the only case .
There are stark parallels between his case and disability care recipient Ann Marie Smith who died last month from severe neglect .
Both were failed by a system designed to protect them .
Both should still be alive today .
What happened to them , should not be forgotten .
NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal board member Rob Ramjan told Inq without assertive carers and properly trained support workers , there ’ s a risk of cases like Harris ’ repeating themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with severe and persistent mental illness , you ’ re looking at high vulnerabilities and a high-risk person … the risk of them deteriorating is huge.
” Throughout the ‘ 80s and ‘ 90s , Harris flitted in and out of the sandstone buildings of Cumberland Hospital , one of Australia ’ s last dedicated psychiatric hospitals run by Western Sydney Mental Health Services .
Harris lived with lifelong paranoid schizophrenia , major affective disorder and bouts of depression .
He developed diabetes , hypertension and a few other physical illnesses .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before his illness developed , Harris was a happy , academically gifted boy with a mop of blonde hair .
He enjoyed reading sci-fi books and building go-karts to push around the streets of Guildford West , a small , quiet suburb in western Sydney .
His mental illness began manifesting in high school , childhood friend Mark Yendle told Inq .
Incredibly bright , it was a shock when Harris dropped out of school at the end of year 10 .
“ We noticed a change , ” Yendle said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to uni and be an academic , but he left high school … I remember thinking he was suffering.
” Harris was also a quiet man , unchallenging and unconfrontational .
When his illness became more severe , he withdrew even further — a problem given that under the NDIS model , clients are expected to assert what kind of care they want .
From 1998 until 2016 , there was little change in Harris ’ care .
He lived in public housing and was a member of the Community Housing Implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had regular check-ins and support .
The notes from when Harris was admitted to the system and discharged are strikingly similar : as an inpatient , his schizoid personality was “ characterised by feelings of paranoia , having weird thoughts , at times feeling the radio and TV were talking to him ” .
When he was discharged 20 years later from Western Sydney Mental Health — 11 months before his death — he had “ minor psychiatric symptoms such as voices ‘ television is talking about me ’ ” ( sic ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Community Rehabilitation Centre , where he was sent after CHIP closed down , is unclear .
His discharge notes say he did “ not show any resistance ” , with the consulting psychiatrist explaining “ it is time for [ Harris ] to move forward ” .
His sister and nominated carer Longfellow , who lives in South Australia , told Inq Harris had significant disabilities .
“ He did not have capacity , could not look after himself , needed support for so many things , ” she said .
“ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backyard during psychotic episodes .
He ’ d had support for 35 years and it was ripped away.
” When being quiet and complacent can kill you 2016 to 2018 was a tumultuous time for Harris : CHIP was shut down at the end of 2016 , replaced by the state-wide Pathways to Community Living Initiative ( PCLI ) .
Many of the heritage cottages , where those with severe mental illness lived , have been demolished for the Parramatta light rail .
Harris was referred to Granville Community Rehabilitation Centre , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checked on him at home a few times a week .
Within two years , he had been discharged from this service , too .
A spokesperson for Western Sydney Local Health District told Inq patients were only transferred to the care of a GP if they had a suitable level of stability and good links with service providers .
The GP Harris was referred to had closed down six months earlier .
A source within the Western Sydney Local Health District told Inq Harris ’ discharge was , tragically , commonplace .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ western Sydney are completely flooded with people , ” they said .
“ People can ’ t do their jobs well , there ’ s simply not enough case managers .
They ’ re always discharging people who optimally shouldn ’ t be discharged .
“ If he was quiet he was likely discharged because he wasn ’ t making trouble … Those in the framework frequently end up in the hospital because they are hazardous , threatening , or there is something else making them a squeaky wheel.
” Funding hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overall health budget has increased , the percentage allocated to mental health services remains the same at 7.6 % .
Unfortunately , for many living with mental health issues , becoming quiet and withdrawn is a symptom of illness — especially in people with schizophrenia .
A complex disease , schizophrenia can ’ t be cured , consultant psychiatrist and University of Sydney professor Anthony Harris told Inq .
“ Over time , people lose their cognitive flexibility and some of their IQ as they go into the illness , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lives together goes out the window , ” This makes organising NDIS and other social services a nightmare , he said .
In a progress note on Harris ’ case , staff from Granville noted that generally , “ client ’ s carers are closely involved in the discharge planning process ” .
This was not the case for Harris .
He had nominated his sister , Longfellow , as his carer two years prior — but when he was discharged he requested she not be notified .
Longfellow began worrying about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He would have been 56 .
Communication between the pair was spotty .
Harris was wary of the phone and preferred to post letters , and bouts of silence were not unusual .
But he would always put his apprehensions aside call Longfellow on his birthday .
“ Every year he makes the effort to ring me and this year , he didn ’ t .
I thought , ‘ that ’ s really strange ’ , ” she said .
His mental illness caused Harris to withdraw from social life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was limited .
So , at first , Longfellow wasn ’ t concerned .
“ In my mind , I thought that he had all the services and he previously had … I would just ring those services , and they ’ d check on him , ” she said .
She had no idea he had been discharged from most of his support networks .
At the time , Longfellow ’ s attention had been focused on her daughter , who has respiratory failure and multiple severe disabilities , and was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
The same day her daughter was discharged from the ICU , Longfellow called the NSW police to conduct a welfare check .
Three hours later , there was a knock at the door by the South Australia police .
David ’ s death torments Longfellow , who is a disability advocate and holds a doctorate in education .
She asks if she could have done more , but living interstate , a career , and caring for her own daughter with a disability , combined with David ’ s reluctance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check in as often as she would have liked .
Like many others , Longfellow put her faith in the systems supposedly designed to protect people like David .
Sydney University Brain and Mind Centre senior lecturer Sebastian Rosenberg told Inq that around the time of CHIP ’ s closure , there had been a push to shut down psychiatric hospitals like Cumberland and to move everyone onto the NDIS model .
Along the way , many NGOs running community services lost grants and funding , forcing them to shut down .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running on shoestrings , ” he said .
“ This was the straw that broke the camel ’ s back.
” From Granville Community Rehabilitation Services , where Harris had access to a psychiatrist and regular home check-ins by nurses , he was placed into the care of two NDIS providers , Flourish Australia and Community Connections .
The NDIS model focuses on giving choice and control to people with disabilities and requires self-managed participants to ask for services and shop around for a provider that suits them .
The system breaks down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to organise appointments or use their funding , as was the case of Harris .
Flourish Australia provided weekly cleaning services and supported Harris in employment until he was too physically unwell to attend in 2018 , while Harris saw a support worker through Community Connections .
Both were funded by the NDIS .
While Harris ’ cleaning services continued until his funding ceased , it ’ s unclear the last time a Community Connections support worker checked in on him .
A spokesperson for Flourish Australia said even if NDIS funding was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide support for clients until a new plan is in place , or the client cancels the service .
Community Connections CEO Melissa Way didn ’ t respond to Inq ’ s questions on whether any new policies had been put in place since Harris ’ death .
Longfellow said she was told a Community Connections support worker stopped visiting Harris because his phone had been disconnected .
Longfellow disputes this .
She says she checked Telstra and his phone was still connected .
Ramjan told Inq being assigned an NGO was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NGOs and workers but the level of accountability in both government and non-government services is not what you ’ d hope for.
” Limited NDIS funding for services meant companies hire cheap support workers — many of whom hadn ’ t even finished high school , he said .
“ People with severe mental illness need an assertive follow-up , ” Ramjan said .
“ You can ’ t just allow someone to drift and have them not answer the door … The risk of the person deteriorating is huge.
” Requiring people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support package was simply not a solution , Ramjan said .
“ A lot of those who qualify have delusions and believe nothing is wrong with them .
Why would they apply for a disability package ?
Straight away there ’ s a barrier there .
The structures are not appropriate .
If he doesn ’ t have the capacity to apply on his own , who is going to help ?
” Fighting for better access to care is a familiar theme in Joanne ’ s* life .
She and her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Beatrice* , who lives with schizophrenia .
Despite repeatedly asking for an NDIS support worker with experience in psychosocial disability care , no one with adequate qualifications has been assigned .
“ It ’ s difficult to find enough carers with experience in managing people with a severe and complex illness , ” Joanne told Inq .
“ [ Many workers ] have no idea about the risks or safety issues that might arise with managing someone who has command hallucinations ” .
Beatrice requires 24/7 supervision as her condition can deteriorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joanne calls the mental health crisis or acute care team .
When being advised about whether it was possible to develop a crisis management plan for Beatrice , she was told simply to call the 1800 crisis hotline .
“ That is the plan , ” she said .
Services are so limited , no respite care is available for Joanne ’ s family .
During Beatrice ’ s last hospitalisation , she was forced to wait for more than 12 hours in a resuscitation bed in the emergency department until a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were no nurses with psychiatric training looking after Beatrice .
When Beatrice is released from hospital , her parents have to update her community health workers and therapist .
“ There ’ s no handover , ” Joanne said .
“ The system doesn ’ t work .
NDIS and in-house health systems don ’ t work as an integrated system .
It ’ s difficult to join them up.
” If Beatrice was left to the mercy of the system without her parents as carers , Joanne has no doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alive now.
” The five systems which failed There were five distinct systems which failed Harris .
Shutting down CHIP meant losing vital services and connections .
Being discharged from Granville , without informing his carer , meant he lost regular contact with the community .
David had a weekly standing appointment with his GP for injections of paliperidone , a treatment for schizophrenia .
When David stopped showing up , his GP did not call to conduct a welfare check .
Ordinarily , those living in housing commissions have annual client service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by NSW Health , who provided all of the case management for clients .
When Harris was discharged from Granville and lost his NDIS funding , a visit was scheduled by NSW Housing , but it never happened .
Finally , Harris ’ NDIS funding — which provided cleaning services , support workers and , when he was able , part-time employment — was cut off .
He didn ’ t respond to phone calls or letters from the NDIS , so they simply cancelled his funding and informed his NDIS service providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on him .
When , exactly , is still unknown .
An NDIS spokesperson told Inq that under its code of conduct , all providers must “ promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that might have an impact on the quality and safety of supports provided to people with disability ” .
An NDIA spokesperson said that after Harris ’ death , a new policy was introduced to ensure funding is no longer simply cut off .
Plans are automatically extended by 12 months .
An NDIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be investigated : “ There were not breaches of the code of conduct by the provider ” .
The question remains as to who had responsibility for Harris ’ care .
Was it his GP ?
His NDIS provider ?
The housing commission , or Western Sydney Mental Health ?
In truth , it was all of them .
Each service provider had some responsibility to care for Harris but , at each step of the way , each one of them failed .
Mental health services across Australia are struggling financially .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ care , like in Harris ’ case , is unclear .
The coroner ’ s court is still deciding whether it will launch an inquiry into Harris ’ death .
His sister gravely hopes they do .
“ I have very few answers .
What I want to come out of this is no more people dying because of the gaps in the system .
”

David Harris died alone in his kitchen in early 2019. Found in July, his body was so decomposed that the coroner could not say exactly what day he died or how. He was 55, and for 35 of those years, western Sydney’s mental health system did its best to help Harris cope with severe schizophrenia.
Or did it?
By the time he died, Harris had lost access to all but one of the services which had kept him in this world. Bounced from service to service as programs were defunded — sometimes referred to some that didn’t even exist — the amount of care and contact Harris had with the community was cut back at every step.


crikey--2020-05-25--Blunder? What blunder? Good news on JobKeeper opens ways for further stimulus

Put together in haste for a catastrophe that did n't quite eventuate , the overestimated JobKeeper program can now be @ @ @ @ @ .
Thanks to Treasury 's $ 60 billion JobKeeper overestimate , we 've all just @ @ @ @ @ policymaking on the run .
Fortunately , it 's one that gives the government more @ @ @ @ @ recovery from lockdown , not fewer .
Despite everything you 've read and heard in @ @ @ @ @ journalists and Coalition cheerleaders misreported this -- there was no $ 60 billion `` blunder @ @ @ @ @ you read the ( poorly worded and structured ) Treasury media release , you 'll @ @ @ @ @ cost of JobKeeper to $ 70 billion has nothing to do with the error by @ @ @ @ @ out the form ( which suggests a badly-designed form ) but rather :

Thanks to Treasury’s $60 billion JobKeeper overestimate, we’ve all just been given a lesson in policymaking on the run. Fortunately, it’s one that gives the government more options for managing the economic recovery from lockdown, not fewer.
Despite everything you’ve read and heard in the media — even good journalists and Coalition cheerleaders misreported this — there was no $60 billion “blunder” about JobKeeper. If you read the (poorly worded and structured) Treasury media release, you’ll see why.
The revised cost of JobKeeper to $70 billion has nothing to do with the error by 1000 or so businesses filling out the form (which suggests a badly-designed form) but rather:


crikey--2020-05-24--Staying in lockdown a risky business, and border wars get testy

Queensland 's claim to be going gangbusters keeping COVID-19 in check is rather questionable .
One thing becoming increasingly apparent @ @ @ @ @ is how respective views are based on ( understandably ) selfish perspectives .
As Professor @ @ @ @ @ University observed last week : `` [ In the United States ] if you make @ @ @ @ @ year , there ’ s a 60 % likelihood you can work from home and @ @ @ @ @ chance you ’ ve been laid off .
If you make less than US $ @ @ @ @ @ % of you can work from home and 40 % have been laid off.
” @ @ @ @ @ of the increasingly tragic divide -- a story in The Wall Street Journal yesterday said @ @ @ @ @ in liquid cash held by white families , Hispanic families had 47c and black families @ @

One thing becoming increasingly apparent from the growing end-the-lockdown divide is how respective views are based on (understandably) selfish perspectives.
As Professor Scott Galloway of New York University observed last week: “[In the United States] if you make over US$100,000 a year, there’s a 60% likelihood you can work from home and only a one in 10 chance you’ve been laid off. If you make less than US$40,000, only about 10% of you can work from home and 40% have been laid off.”
New Orleans is an example of the increasingly tragic divide — a story in The Wall Street Journal yesterday said that for every $1 in liquid cash held by white families, Hispanic families had 47c and black families 27c.


crikey--2020-05-25--What else can you get for 60 billion bucks?

For a start , Newstart and the youth allowance could be upped by $ 95 a week for 15 years .
But wait !
There 's more !
The government overestimated how much JobKeeper would cost by $ 60 billion ( for reference , that 's just under a bajillion ) .
What could it buy with this sudden state budget-sized windfall ?
Off the top of our heads , it could : • Chuck the 2 million or so workers -- largely visa holders and casuals -- excluded from the program on to it and still be $ 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up some of the difference between the estimated $ 50 billion it was going to cost us to build that fleet of French-designed submarines and the estimated $ 225 billion it will end up costing us by 2080 ( of which Defence Minister Linda Reynolds promised 60 % would be spent in Australia ) .
• Build 10 gas pipelines from Western Australia to the east coast that will for sure help Australia 's COVID-19 recovery and for sure wo n't benefit members of the National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission pushing for it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ program ( remember that ? )
7500 times , or the school chaplains program ( remember THAT ? )
242 times .
• Renew all the money cut from the ABC since the Coalition took power and still have just over $ 59 billion left over .
• Raise Newstart and the youth allowance by the $ 95 a week the Australian Council of Social Service is asking for , for the next 15 years .
• Pay for disloyal ministers ' flights for the next 1 million prime ministerial knifings .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy female change rooms for sports clubs that have no female members and other treats for Liberal Party friends .

The government overestimated how much JobKeeper would cost by $60 billion (for reference, that’s just under a bajillion). What could it buy with this sudden state budget-sized windfall?
Off the top of our heads, it could:


crikey--2020-05-25--‘We need an agency with real teeth’: disability sector calls for reform following David Harris’ deat

‘We need an agency with real teeth’: disability sector calls for reform following David Harris’ death

The disability sector says the death of David Harris , revealed last week by Inq , shows what is wrong with the system .
Disability advocacy groups have called for greater accountability in the sector following Inq ’ s investigation into the death of David Harris , who died last year after his National Disability Insurance Scheme ( NDIS ) funding was cut off and his support workers stopped visiting .
Disabilities Australia spokeswoman El Gibbs told Inq that disability sector agencies needed greater power to deal with complaints .
“ We need agencies , at both the state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proactive response , and to have real teeth in dealing with these kinds of failures , ” she said .
“ What happened to David Harris is appalling , and shows starkly what is going wrong with the current accountability mechanisms in the disability support system.
” Australian Federation of Disability Organisations CEO Ross Joyce told Inq meaningful changes were needed .
“ [ Harris ’ ] tragic death shows significant failings within our support systems for those with severe mental health issues , ” he said .
“ An inquest is needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must learn from this and ensure that changes are made and replicated across all jurisdictions … This shouldn ’ t have happened and should not be allowed to happen ever again.
” Joyce added the general public needed to step up to check in on the vulnerable .
“ As a community we need to do better , to ensure that everyone ’ s life counts , ” he said .
NDIS clients can report complaints to the Quality and Safeguards Commission — though several participants have told Inq they don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make meaningful change .
Lodging complaints can also have a detrimental impact on the relationship between client and provider .
The National Disability Insurance Agency ( NDIA ) told Inq there was no wrongdoing by any of the agencies caring for Harris .
Harris ’ sister Leanne Longfellow told Inq she couldn ’ t believe there had been no protocols breached in the lead-up to Harris ’ death .
His body wasn ’ t discovered until around two months after he died , when Longfellow — who lives interstate — called NSW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I found out no policies had been breached — everyone had followed policy supposedly — and this is the outcome , ” she said .
She said trying to get answers from Harris ’ NDIS providers , the NDIA and politicians had been incredibly difficult .
Despite being the executor of Harris ’ estate , Longfellow had to launch a freedom of information request to find out details about his NDIS plan .
The pages released were heavily redacted .
“ Here we are in May 2020 , and I still don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an inquest .
I have very few answers , ” she said .
This morning , the NSW Coroner said they would review Harris ’ file .
Opposition NDIS spokesman Bill Shorten has called for an inquiry into Harris ’ death .
“ This kind of system failure resulting in death by neglect needs to be approached head-on with honesty and genuine reform , ” he said in a statement .
“ An independent inquiry must be launched into these deaths by neglect of NDIS participants .
Anything less is just sweeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know more ?
Let us know .

Disability advocacy groups have called for greater accountability in the sector following Inq’s investigation into the death of David Harris, who died last year after his National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding was cut off and his support workers stopped visiting.
Disabilities Australia spokeswoman El Gibbs told Inq that disability sector agencies needed greater power to deal with complaints.
“We need agencies, at both the state and federal levels, to take a more proactive response, and to have real teeth in dealing with these kinds of failures,” she said.


crikey--2020-05-25--The perils of hypocrisy: on China, Coalition’s pandering outstrips Andrews’ grovelling

When it comes to China , both sides of politics are guilty of pandering .
As Education Minister Dan Tehan @ @ @ @ @ the Morrison government are itching to get back to political business as usual and attack @ @ @ @ @ The latter 's collaboration with the Beijing regime over its notorious `` Belt and Road @ @ @ @ @ a good opportunity for that .
Except , when it comes to China , no @ @ @ @ @ .
Especially not those of a government that once upon a time pandered almost obsessively @ @ @ @ @ has never liked Andrews ' signing up to the `` BRI '' , having itself @ @ @ @ @ what Malcolm Turnbull correctly characterised as more slogan than content .

As Education Minister Dan Tehan recently demonstrated, some in the Morrison government are itching to get back to political business as usual and attack the Victorian Labor government. The latter’s collaboration with the Beijing regime over its notorious “Belt and Road” initiative seemed to furnish a good opportunity for that.
Except, when it comes to China, no one’s hands are clean. Especially not those of a government that once upon a time pandered almost obsessively to Beijing.
The government has never liked Andrews’ signing up to the “BRI”, having itself declined to sign up to what Malcolm Turnbull correctly characterised as more slogan than content.


crikey--2020-05-25--Take it from a doc: telehealth is a keeper. But why is the sound quality so bad?

Telehealth is changing the way doctors care for their patients .
And while it 'll never replace face-to-face consultations entirely @ @ @ @ @ incredibly useful tool .
Last week marked something of a medical milestone , with more @ @ @ @ @ delivered since the expansion of services on March 13 .
So it was a surprise @ @ @ @ @ Australian GP saying , “ I ’ m not doing any telehealth ” .
He @ @ @ @ @ series of patient presentations that could not have been done without physically seeing the patient @ @ @ @ @ of four .
The contrast with my own experience , and that of my colleagues @ @ @ @ @ I decided to get all scientific .
So I audited my practice .
Which meant @ @ @ @ @ and not stopping at four ) .

Last week marked something of a medical milestone, with more than 10 million telehealth services delivered since the expansion of services on March 13.
So it was a surprise when I heard a South Australian GP saying, “I’m not doing any telehealth”. He went on to detail a series of patient presentations that could not have been done without physically seeing the patient. Oh, a series of four.
The contrast with my own experience, and that of my colleagues, was so great that I decided to get all scientific. So I audited my practice. Which meant going back and counting (and not stopping at four).


crikey--2020-05-25--Which states depend on China most? And does it matter?

From iron ore to infrastructure , is there real reason to be concerned about state dependency on Chinese business ?
@ @ @ @ @ by Victorian Premier Dan Andrews in 2018 is suddenly at the centre of a blazing @ @ @ @ @ commits Victoria to join China ’ s Belt and Road Initiative -- a global infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ views with suspicion .
To judge by high-level comments , the US is apparently suddenly @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the US will “ simply disconnect ” with Australia @ @ @ @ @ security .

An agreement with China signed by Victorian Premier Dan Andrews in 2018 is suddenly at the centre of a blazing international controversy.
The pledge commits Victoria to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative — a global infrastructure plan that the federal government views with suspicion.


crikey--2020-05-26--Who is Morrison kidding? The economy has been on government life support for a decade

We need to stop pretending the Australian economy is n't addicted to government support .
And if the government is serious about reform , it should n't wait until late in the year to release a long-delayed budget .
While the prime minister offers another economic vision today to the press gallery in Canberra , there 's a broader context for one of the themes of his speech ( at least as reported ahead of delivery ) , that the economy has to be weaned “ off the medication '' of support “ before it becomes too accustomed to it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government 's stimulus and support packages to get us through the current pandemic crisis , but the economy has been on `` medication '' , and much stronger , since 2008 .
Labor pumped around $ 190 billion of deficit spending into the economy between 2008 and 2013 .
Since then , up until February -- and despite the Coalition 's claim that it would produce a surplus in its first year and every year after that -- the current government has pumped around $ 170 billion into the economy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and next will send that to over $ 300 billion .

While the prime minister offers another economic vision today to the press gallery in Canberra, there’s a broader context for one of the themes of his speech (at least as reported ahead of delivery), that the economy has to be weaned “off the medication” of support “before it becomes too accustomed to it”.
Morrison might be referring to the government’s stimulus and support packages to get us through the current pandemic crisis, but the economy has been on “medication”, and much stronger, since 2008. Labor pumped around $190 billion of deficit spending into the economy between 2008 and 2013.
Since then, up until February — and despite the Coalition’s claim that it would produce a surplus in its first year and every year after that — the current government has pumped around $170 billion into the economy. The dramatic increase in deficit spending this year and next will send that to over $300 billion.


crikey--2020-05-26--First the US, then Oz. What does Trump’s guy have in mind for our COVID future?

It 's not entirely clear who appointed Andrew Liveris as `` special adviser '' to the COVID-19 commission , but @ @ @ @ @ out to hold enormous influence .
There are some big names on the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ but perhaps the biggest isn ’ t even technically a commissioner .
Andrew Liveris has @ @ @ @ @ special adviser ” and it ’ s not entirely clear who appointed him .
But @ @ @ @ @ very well turn out to be the most influential .
Here ’ s why .
@ @ @ @ @ his role as the former chair and chief executive of Dow Chemicals , where he @ @ @ @ @ Michigan-based company into one of the world ’ s largest corporations .
The Darwin-born business @ @ @ @ @ boards of Saudi Arabian Oil Company ( Saudi Aramco ) and oil and gas consultancy @ @

There are some big names on the government’s National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission but perhaps the biggest isn’t even technically a commissioner.
Andrew Liveris has been given the title “special adviser” and it’s not entirely clear who appointed him. But the business oligarch-turned-Trump cheerleader could very well turn out to be the most influential. Here’s why.
America first
Liveris is globally recognised for his role as the former chair and chief executive of Dow Chemicals, where he spent 40 years turning the Michigan-based company into one of the world’s largest corporations. The Darwin-born business leader also sits on the boards of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and oil and gas consultancy Worley.


crikey--2020-05-25--Which Australian states depend on China most — and does it matter?


crikey--2020-05-26--Coronavirus cases Australia: A state-by-state update

How many coronavirus cases are there in Australia ?
We take a look at the total number of cases , @ @ @ @ @ each state and territory .
Our journalism usually sits behind a paywall , but we @ @ @ @ @ to make more of our content freely available to as many readers as possible .
@ @ @ @ @ sign up to COVID-19 Watch Here is a breakdown of coronavirus cases in Australia , @ @ @ @ @ updates , including the number of people tested for COVID-19 and the number of deaths @ @ @ @ @ area across Australia .
There are currently 7,118 reported coronavirus cases across Australia and more @ @ @ @ @ have been carried out .
Keep reading for the latest details on the number of @ @ @ @ @

Here is a breakdown of coronavirus cases in Australia, according to the most recent updates, including the number of people tested for COVID-19 and the number of deaths recorded, per state and area across Australia.
There are currently 7,118 reported coronavirus cases across Australia and more than 1.24 million coronavirus tests have been carried out.
Keep reading for the latest details on the number of COVID-19 cases in Australia.


crikey--2020-05-27--Weapons down? Maybe, but there is plenty to fight about. Here’s a list of friction points

The prime minister wants businesses and unions to 'down weapons ' to negotiate industrial reform .
But there 's a @ @ @ @ @ on .
Scott Morrison wants businesses and unions to “ drop their weapons ” and @ @ @ @ @ industrial relations system .
Easier said than done .
Here are some of the sticking @ @ @ @ @ tribalism back on the table .
Better off overall test One of the biggest points @ @ @ @ @ off overall test , or the BOOT , that ensures workers can not be worse @ @ @ @ @ enterprise agreements .

Scott Morrison wants businesses and unions to “drop their weapons” and come up with a new industrial relations system. Easier said than done.
Here are some of the sticking points that threaten to put tribalism back on the table.
Better off overall test
One of the biggest points of contention is the better off overall test, or the BOOT, that ensures workers cannot be worse off in any changes to enterprise agreements.


crikey--2020-05-27--‘Unfit’, rinse, repeat: how the industrial relations debate ignores the evidence (again)

The biggest changes in the 'not fit for purpose ' IR system have disadvantaged workers and empowered employers .
Shame @ @ @ @ @ So the prime minister , business advocates , the media and the employer lobby group @ @ @ @ @ is not `` fit for purpose '' and Scott Morrison is cleverly putting aside ideology @ @ @ @ @ an attempt to fix it .
Cue comparisons to Bob Hawke and the Accord .
@ @ @ @ @ pity if actual evidence intruded on that consensus ( speaking of Hawke ) about the @ @ @ @ @ if journalists who cover politics actually remembered longer than five minutes ago rather than swimming @ @ @ @ @ round the bowl of the perpetual present .

So the prime minister, business advocates, the media and the employer lobby group reckon our industrial relations system is not “fit for purpose” and Scott Morrison is cleverly putting aside ideology to engage all parties in an attempt to fix it. Cue comparisons to Bob Hawke and the Accord.
It would be such a pity if actual evidence intruded on that consensus (speaking of Hawke) about the industrial relations system.
Or if journalists who cover politics actually remembered longer than five minutes ago rather than swimming, goldfish-like, round and round the bowl of the perpetual present.


crikey--2020-05-27--Pandering to the base leaves key facts by the wayside in class action battle

The government 's media and business allies say there 's been an 'explosion ' in class action litigation .
The @ @ @ @ @ picture .
This is part two of Inq 's investigation into the Coalition 's war @ @ @ @ @ Read part one here .
The government 's recent moves on class action litigation funding @ @ @ @ @ a parliamentary inquiry and the tightening of rules on funding , are sure to please @ @ @ @ @ provide cover for corporate friends and allies .
The Liberal Party , alongside business , @ @ @ @ @ since it was introduced .
Back in 1991 Peter Costello , then in opposition , @ @ @ @ @ step on the way to making Australia a more litigious society '' .

This is part two of Inq’s investigation into the Coalition’s war on class action funding. Read part one here.
The government’s recent moves on class action litigation funding, with the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry and the tightening of rules on funding, are sure to please the Liberal Party base and provide cover for corporate friends and allies.
The Liberal Party, alongside business, has opposed class action litigation since it was introduced. Back in 1991 Peter Costello, then in opposition, slammed it as “a step on the way to making Australia a more litigious society”.


crikey--2020-05-27--This is a chance to remake work and the economy. Will Labor and labour seize it?

It 's time for a 30-hour working week .
Remaking the Australian way of work will need imagination and courage @ @ @ @ @ of paying for it all .
How about COVID bonds ?
Last week former Labor @ @ @ @ @ -- one-time Daryl Somers body double , now perpetually in waistcoat with pince-nez , looking @ @ @ @ @ a BBC adaptation of a Trollope novel -- announced that Labor should further distance itself @ @ @ @ @ and regard unions as `` just another pressure group '' .
That was n't his @ @ @ @ @ briefly backing a wacko Melbourne-Sydney very fast train proposal -- but it runs a close @ @ @ @ @ and ACTU secretary Sally McManus has announced that it has gone into direct talks with @ @ @ @ @ is being ( erroneously ) called Accord II -- the COVID-19 negotiation -- cutting federal @ @ @ @ @ altogether .

Last week former Labor premier of Victoria Steve Bracks — one-time Daryl Somers body double, now perpetually in waistcoat with pince-nez, looking like he’s out of a BBC adaptation of a Trollope novel — announced that Labor should further distance itself from the trade union movement and regard unions as “just another pressure group”.
That wasn’t his worst idea — which was briefly backing a wacko Melbourne-Sydney very fast train proposal — but it runs a close second.
A week later and ACTU secretary Sally McManus has announced that it has gone into direct talks with the Morrison government about what is being (erroneously) called Accord II — the COVID-19 negotiation — cutting federal Labor out of the deal altogether.


crikey--2020-05-27--Are dating apps more popular in Australia due to coronavirus?

Are dating apps more popular than ever ?
What demographics use them most ?
What is the future of online dating ?
Your questions , answered .
Are dating apps more popular in Australia due to coronavirus ?
The short answer is yes .
In the absence of being able to physically meet up with potential partners , it is unsurprising to hear Australians are paying more attention than usual to dating apps .
In the last five years , online dating has become much more mainstream .
A 2010 Australia Talks survey of 54,000 Australians found a third of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners online , and more people met their partner online than through any other method .
Over the years , there has also been a societal shift from pretending to meet people at farmer ’ s markets to proudly announcing to your friends that you have a Tinder date .
Online dating is one of the few industries that is benefiting from the pandemic due to the fact that dating platforms can momentarily quell people ’ s desire to date with a virtual option .
Some of the household names , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video chat since pre-pandemic .
Others are in the process of pivoting to create more human experiences .
For example , Hinge is now providing an option where you can indicate to someone you are ready to move the conversation “ off-app ” without even needing to type it out .
According to Hinge , 70 % of its users would be interested in going on a virtual date outside of the app based on a recent poll .
Hinge is also reporting a 30 % increases in the number of messages being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 6 that it is testing a video dating functionality to be ready by the end of this year , to prevent a slowdown in user growth .
( Tinder pulled in US $ 1.2 billion in revenue in 2019 — a 43 % increase from 2018 . )
According to Statista , there are 1.7 million Australians using online dating apps at present , and revenue in this sector is expected to grow from $ 35 million in 2020 , to $ 51 million by 2024 .
Here ’ s what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps : The majority of users are aged between 25 and 34 years of age .
The majority of users are men .
The majority of users are described as having medium to high income .
How is online dating expected to change in the future ?
The numbers of both paying and non-paying online dating users are expected to increase between 2020 and 2024 .
The dating scene may not truly return to normal anytime soon , but getting to know one another virtually has become an accepted alternative among those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the future .
Read : Coronavirus travel ban | When will international flights reopen in Australia ?

Are dating apps more popular in Australia due to coronavirus? The short answer is yes.
In the absence of being able to physically meet up with potential partners, it is unsurprising to hear Australians are paying more attention than usual to dating apps .
In the last five years, online dating has become much more mainstream. A 2010 Australia Talks survey of 54,000 Australians found a third of people (35%) meet their partners online, and more people met their partner online than through any other method.


crikey--2020-05-27--A changing media grapples with Scott Morrison’s Team Australia reset

Scott Morrison is trying to reset the narrative for a post-COVID Australia .
Trouble is , his Team Australia box @ @ @ @ @ room for everyone Just who -- or what -- is a Scott Morrison ?
That @ @ @ @ @ Australia ’ s media have been grappling with over the past seven days as Morrison @ @ @ @ @ the PM twisting from pivot to pivot in the face of the challenges of the @ @ @ @ @ s not the first politician to wrestle that particular greasy pig .
But he ’ @ @ @ @ @ to try it through a fractured media where News Corp has exchanged public power wielded @ @ @ @ @ for inner-party influence delivered by its Sky commentary and op-eds in The Australian .
News @ @ @ @ @ wolf-warrior .
Morrison wants to lead Team Australia .
The political sub-plot in the reset @ @ @ @ @ the influence of a much-diminished News Corp will be as a result of today ’ @ @ @ @ @ and closures .

Just who — or what — is a Scott Morrison? That’s the question that Australia’s media have been grappling with over the past seven days as Morrison attempts a narrative reset, the PM twisting from pivot to pivot in the face of the challenges of the post-COVID times.
He’s not the first politician to wrestle that particular greasy pig. But he’s the first prime minister to try it through a fractured media where News Corp has exchanged public power wielded through its tabloid front pages for inner-party influence delivered by its Sky commentary and op-eds in The Australian.
News Corp opinionistas want a culture-war wolf-warrior. Morrison wants to lead Team Australia. The political sub-plot in the reset is just how much weaker the influence of a much-diminished News Corp will be as a result of yesterday’s report of job cuts and closures.


crikey--2020-05-27--Ten tips for students studying from home during lockdown

Struggling to stay motivated while studying at home ?
Here are 10 tips to help keep you on track .
We ’ re hearing a lot about people working from home — and parents doing remote learning from home with their children — but we ’ re hearing much less about university students , particularly international students , who are studying in Australia during lockdown .
There were 500,000 international students in Australia when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia .
Today 15 % of students are stuck living on campuses due to the fact that restrictions prohibit them from returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of students find themselves trying to study from home , The Guardian reports .
There is limited support available to the international students who remain in Australia , and who have been asked to return home if they can not support themselves .
For both international and Australian students , the COVID-19 pandemic can evoke its own particular type of panic ; this is , largely , the most financially unstable demographic , who now find themselves trying to prepare for a very unstable working world .
For the students out there who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very stressful time , but it may equip you with resilience you did not even know you were capable of .
If you can continue to study from home , keep swimming .
Here are 10 tips for students studying from home : • Get a calendar and write down everything that is ahead of you • Get a clock for your desk • Map out your day in as much detail as you can • Go outside , every single day • Avoid too many screens outside of study • Avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have daily rituals to look forward to and punctuate the week • Don ’ t let “ it ” get on top of you Get a calendar and write down everything that is ahead of you Foresight is always your friend .
Map .
It .
Out .
What you know about can not hurt you .
Get a calendar that shows you the full month ahead and add in every single assignment , exercise , test or tutorial .
Whatever it is , if you know it ’ s coming up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head in the sand and avoid it until the last minute .
In a world where there are literally no distractions , other than that low sinister hum of impending doom , there is so much that you can get out of the way now .
So look ahead in time .
Get a clock for your desk No , before you protest , your phone is not an adequate clock to keep track of study slots .
You go to check the time , then you ’ re suddenly on Instagram , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter , and then looking back at pictures of that great holiday back in 2016 .
Put your phone in a drawer and get a clock for your desk .
There is nothing that helps with better time-keeping than time itself .
Map out the day in as much detail as you can Whether you ’ re more like Monica or Phoebe from Friends on the control freak scale , mapping out your day in as much detail as possible is paramount to getting what you want to get done , did .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing and breaks to keep you on track .
Note : be realistic .
You will not be able to complete an assignment well in one hourly slot .
Be easy on yourself !
If you are someone who works better in a group , it is going to be very hard to maintain isolation both in general and while studying .
So if there are certain days and times in a week that you are used to meeting up with friends to study , maintain this .
Get a Zoom meeting going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first to silently have one another on a laptop screen , it may help you to stay focused and motivated .
Staying connected and knowing what your study buddies are up to may also help you to think outside of the box and tap into your creativity .
Rome was not built in a day .
Whether you are trying to write a 1000-word assignment or a 10,000-word thesis , you need to rest your brain .
One of the biggest study errors is leaving it all to the last minute and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a sure method for despair .
Whether or not you feel fatigued , take a 20-minute break every 40 minutes to stretch your body and relax your mind .
This 40-on , 20-off method is the most efficient way of keeping you focused throughout the day .
Go outside , every single day Fresh air is your friend .
You can not expect to thrive in a stuffy room all day .
Depending on if you are a morning , day or evening person , pick a time when you know you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there .
Whether you have time for a brisk 20-minute walk or a two-hour hike , getting enough fresh air each day is extremely important for filtering out the brain junk and keeping your concentration levels high .
Avoid too many screens outside of study While the temptation may be there to bounce from your phone to laptop intermittently throughout the day , aim to stay off your phone for at least two recreational hours ( two hours when you are not studying ) per day .
Now is , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain contact with loved ones , especially if you are far away from them , but it is still important to take time to fully switch off .
Put on a podcast , paint a picture , re-decorate your room — do something , anything , that does not involve spending your social energy during this already draining period .
Avoid too much caffeine or energy drinks Exams , cramming , and last-minute tweaks to assignments are enough to make the most level headed of us jittery .
Do not exasperate this by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you need to keep some of these habits for the remainder of the school year , drink them as you should consume alcohol — with lots of water in between each round !
If you can cut down , try peppermint tea between coffees or sparkling water as a replacement for energy drinks .
Have daily rituals to look forward to and punctuate the week While captions on social media like “ what day is it ?
” have definitely gotten old at this point , they still do , unfortunately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like one day , or one year , depending on what you are doing with your time .
To maintain a firm grasp on time ( and reality ) , consider implementing little habits or rituals into each day .
For instance , on Monday , you could walk that particular route ; on Tuesday , you could call that friend .
It could also be playing a particular video game or doing some pampering with a facemask , whatever tickles your fancy .
Make sure it ’ s something you enjoy doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Don ’ t let “ it ” get on top of you While this advice may seem about as actionable as “ stay safe ” or “ chin up ” , it is still an important to not let “ it ” , whatever it may be , get on top of you .
If you are feeling extremely overwhelmed , know you are not alone in this .
If you are struggling to get your course work done , know that your lecturers and tutors are there to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Talk to someone and whatever it is will become instantly more manageable .
They say your university or college years are some of the best years of your life .
Let us hope 2020 is just one of those years that has truthfully gone haywire .
Right now , this might seem like the hardest thing you ’ ll ever have to go through .
University , and the stress that comes with it , is hard enough without a pandemic , but do take solace in the fact you are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there are no distractions to take you away from getting what you have to do , done .
You ’ ve got this !

We’re hearing a lot about people working from home — and parents doing remote learning from home with their children — but we’re hearing much less about university students, particularly international students, who are studying in Australia during lockdown.
There were 500,000 international students in Australia when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia. Today 15% of students are stuck living on campuses due to the fact that restrictions prohibit them from returning home, while a further 85% of students find themselves trying to study from home, The Guardian reports.
There is limited support available to the international students who remain in Australia, and who have been asked to return home if they cannot support themselves. For both international and Australian students, the COVID-19 pandemic can evoke its own particular type of panic; this is, largely, the most financially unstable demographic, who now find themselves trying to prepare for a very unstable working world.


crikey--2020-05-28--Coronavirus travel ban | When will international flights reopen in Australia?

When will the coronavirus travel ban be lifted ?
When will we be allowed to work and holiday overseas ?
We share the latest schools of thought on when we are likely to be boarding a plane again .
The majority of us have felt the after-effects of the coronavirus travel ban .
Whether you had to cancel flights , or found yourself unable to return to your home country , it is very unlikely you have been totally unscathed by the lack of international travel we expect to face for the foreseeable future .
Most of us are chomping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights will be open again , for a variety of reasons .
Here ’ s what we ’ re hearing when it comes to international travel .
Australia ’ s borders are currently closed for the foreseeable future .
This means that only Australian citizens , residents and immediate family members ( spouses , de facto partners , dependent children , legal guardians ) can travel to Australia .
Citizens of New Zealand who reside in Australia may also re-enter the country .
Travellers who have compassionate or compelling reasons to enter Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to Australia , travellers will need to be quarantined for 14 days , and more vigorous health screening on arrival may also apply .
Since March 25 , all overseas travel by Australian citizens and permanent residents has been banned .
Australian citizens and permanent residents who wish to depart from Australia will need to apply for an exemption to do so .
The limited exceptions to the travel bans in place include : • Your travel is of national interest • Your travel is on compassionate or humanitarian grounds • Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Your travel is due to a need to access medical care that is not available in Australia • Your travel is for essential/critical industries and/or businesses • Your travel is part of the COVID-19 response , including the provision of aid .
Those who need to depart from Australia for the above reasons may apply for a travel exemption here .
International visitors have been encouraged to leave the country , with the knowledge that they may be able to re-enter Australia in the future if certain entry conditions allow them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel ban be lifted ?
There is no set date as to when the coronavirus travel ban will be lifted .
There was no information about when international travel will re-open included in Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s three-stage roadmap to recovery .
As it stands , Scott Morrison says the government is not even considering international travel .
First borders within Australia will be re-opening , and then travel to and from New Zealand will be considered for citizens and permanent residents of Australia .
In a press conference on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) said that : “ International travel can not restart under the current conditions .
In a recent survey that we did in 11 markets , • 84 % of travellers said that quarantine measures were one of their top concerns ; and • 69 % essentially said that they would not return to travel under such conditions.
” Further , de Junaic said it may take until 2023 for air travel to return to 2019 levels , however , he also said that by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry could be back to 50-55 % capacity .
At this point , there is no solid evidence or data to back this claim up .
Furthermore , it is almost impossible to determine when travel will re-open globally , when the severity of the COVID-19 crisis is existing in such stark contrasts across the globe .
It is unlikely that international travel to and from Europe , the UK and the US will all kick off on the same dates .
In contrast to de Juniac ’ s guesstimation of when travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turner told the ABC he believes travel will be back to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels by this coming August , September or October .
Something tells me this is unlikely .
Unfortunately , we do not have a final , or accurate , estimate as to when the coronavirus travel ban will be lifted , or when we will be able to take international flights once again .
When we do , we will make sure this article is updated to keep you informed on movements as they happen .
Read : Can you @ @ @ @

The majority of us have felt the after-effects of the coronavirus travel ban.
Most of us are chomping at the bit to know when international flights will be open again, for a variety of reasons. Here’s what we’re hearing when it comes to international travel.
Current restrictions on international travel
Arriving in Australia


crikey--2020-05-28--When will gyms open in Australia?

When will gyms open in Australia?

When will you be able to go back to the gym ?
Here are the latest details on when gyms will be opening in each state and territory .
When will gyms open in Australia ?
At this point , the majority of us are sick of wine on the couch , scrolling through social media , and the tightening of our waistbands that potentially shrunk in the wash but probably actually shrunk because you ’ ve been having a median of 16 slices of banana bread per week .
At this point , we might even go as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , when will gyms open in Australia ?
Here ’ s a state-by-state and territory-by-territory update on when gyms will be open again across Australia .
Gyms in New South Wales are expected to re-open during stage two of the three-stage roadmap to recovery , however , there is no hard date for when residents of NSW can expect their gym doors to re-open .
At this point , public beaches have begun to open again so residents can resume swimming and surfing for exercise .
Outdoor boot camps with 10 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas .
Non-contact sports with up to 10 people are also permitted as long as social distancing rules are adhered to .
Gyms in Victoria are expected to re-open on June 22 .
Currently , Victorians are allowed to partake in outdoor sports such as golf , athletics , hiking , fishing and playing football with up to 10 players , so long as those taking part adhere to the social distancing rules in place .
Bootcamps with up to 10 people in outdoor public areas will now also be allowed for residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and AFL has resumed .
Gyms in Queensland are expected to re-open on June 13 , the date when the state is expected to enter stage two of the federal government ’ s recovery plan .
From June 13 , gyms are expected to allow up to 20 patrons in at a time .
Gyms will need to ensure thorough sanitisation of gym equipment , as well as social distancing during sweat sessions .
Currently , Queenslanders are allowed to partake in outdoor activities .
Up to 10 people can play non-contact sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training sessions .
Gyms in Western Australia re-opened on May 18 , as the state entered stage two of the recovery plan .
Gyms in Western Australia are to open for 20 people .
During this preliminary stage , patrons will be asked to bring as much of their own equipment as they can , such as yoga mats and boxing gloves .
Gyms will be avoiding the use of shared equipment during work-out sessions where possible and each business has been instructed to follow strict cleaning schedules to ensure that adequate disinfection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now meet in Western Australia for recreational purposes , including outdoor boot camps and non-contact sports , as long as social distancing is in place .
Gyms in Tasmania are expected to open on June 15 , along with swimming pools and other indoor sporting venues as the state commences stage two of the recovery plan .
Residents of Tasmania are allowed to gather in groups of 10 for outdoor , socially safe recreational activities , such as exercising horses , boating , fishing and group fitness in outdoor areas , following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expected to open on June 8 as the state enters stage two of the recovery plan .
Gyms in South Australia will be allowed to open their doors to 20 patrons at a time .
Currently , 10 people are allowed to gather in groups for outdoor activities and a limited number of outdoor swimming pools are already open .
Gyms in the Northern Territory are open .
Local gyms have been open since May 15 , with strict cleaning and social distancing rules in place .
Gyms in the Australian Capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of recovery , however , a date has not yet be specified .
As it stands , 10 people can gather in public places , and non-contact sports can take place outdoors .
Read : Can you have sex during the coronavirus pandemic ?

When will gyms open in Australia? At this point, the majority of us are sick of wine on the couch, scrolling through social media, and the tightening of our waistbands that potentially shrunk in the wash but probably actually shrunk because you’ve been having a median of 16 slices of banana bread per week.
At this point, we might even go as far as saying we miss the gym.
So, when will gyms open in Australia?
Here’s a state-by-state and territory-by-territory update on when gyms will be open again across Australia.


crikey--2020-05-28--Closures and cuts herald a black day in the bush. So where are the Nationals?

Regional media desperately needs more support from the Nationals , who have secured only limited funding compared to what 's @ @ @ @ @ .
With News Corp 's cuts of hundreds of editorial and content positions , the @ @ @ @ @ of scores of regional and community papers , as well as the outright closure of @ @ @ @ @ today is the worst day for regional and community journalism in Australian history .
Each @ @ @ @ @ shuttered mastheads has a real economic cost for regional communities , especially those hammered by @ @ @ @ @ The civic impact is harder to define , but just as real : local stories @ @ @ @ @ never revealed , local leaders not subject to scrutiny , local corruption never uncovered , @ @ @ @ @ The government has already provided $ 50 million for additional funding for regional media , @ @ @ @ @ McCormack announced in early May ( applications for the Public Interest News Gathering program close @ @ @

With News Corp’s cuts of hundreds of editorial and content positions, the closure of the print editions of scores of regional and community papers, as well as the outright closure of around 20 regional mastheads, today is the worst day for regional and community journalism in Australian history.
Each of those lost jobs and shuttered mastheads has a real economic cost for regional communities, especially those hammered by bushfires and border closures. The civic impact is harder to define, but just as real: local stories never told, local scandals never revealed, local leaders not subject to scrutiny, local corruption never uncovered, local lives never celebrated.
The government has already provided $50 million for additional funding for regional media, which Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack announced in early May (applications for the Public Interest News Gathering program close tomorrow).


crikey--2020-05-28--Clues from South Korea on the bumpy, mysterious road ahead

Looking to South Korea , the road out of coronavirus lockdown does n't seems entirely smooth .
Plus , the @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 100,000 Americans have died of the coronavirus .
The mystery behind a @ @ @ @ @ in a small Queensland mining town .
And more clues from South Korea about the @ @ @ @ @ , the United States ’ COVID-19 death toll passed 100,000 .
And while only time @ @ @ @ @ much this tragic loss of life will change the country , it ’ s worth @ @ @ @ @ .
More Americans have died of the virus than died in the Korea and Vietnam @ @ @ @ @ s taken more lives than domestic terrorism , several times over .

More than 100,000 Americans have died of the coronavirus. The mystery behind a 30-year-old man’s death in a small Queensland mining town. And more clues from South Korea about the winding road ahead.
America hits a tragic milestone
Yesterday, the United States’ COVID-19 death toll passed 100,000. And while only time will really tell just how much this tragic loss of life will change the country, it’s worth putting that figure in perspective.
More Americans have died of the virus than died in the Korea and Vietnam wars combined. It’s taken more lives than domestic terrorism, several times over.


crikey--2020-05-28--Casualisation — not just a union-business debate, but maybe key to new growth

Even if overall levels of casualisation remain unchanged , addressing job insecurity might deliver a win for workers , employers @ @ @ @ @ Despite the media love-in for Scott Morrison 's industrial relations reform `` process '' , @ @ @ @ @ have emerged that make it clearer this is n't the peace in our time that @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the week .
First , the government reserves the right to ignore any @ @ @ @ @ , from its IR workshops and try to legislate unilaterally , with Attorney-General Christian Porter @ @ @ @ @ go ahead without any agreement from its industry-union working groups .

Despite the media love-in for Scott Morrison’s industrial relations reform “process”, some parameters and hard points have emerged that make it clearer this isn’t the peace in our time that some excitable journalists were suggesting earlier in the week.
First, the government reserves the right to ignore any outcomes, or lack thereof, from its IR workshops and try to legislate unilaterally, with Attorney-General Christian Porter flagging that the government will go ahead without any agreement from its industry-union working groups.
A Hawkeian consensus it ain’t.


crikey--2020-05-28--Some justice is better than none: the case for litigation funding

While the government moves to restrict the activities of litigation funders , what alternative is there for the Davids who @ @ @ @ @ of the government or big business ?
This is part three of Inq ’ s @ @ @ @ @ s war on class action funding .
Read part one here and part two here @ @ @ @ @ ASX-listed company Omni Bridgeway might be hailed as an Australian success story : a homegrown @ @ @ @ @ product and expanded to become the biggest international player in its segment , with a @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 billion , predicted earnings growth of over 60 % and offices in half-a-dozen @ @ @ @ @ haven of Guernsey .
But the success of Omni Bridgeway and others which have flocked @ @ @ @ @ funding is no cause for celebration in Canberra , where litigation funding is to be @ @ @ @ @ inquiry to examine what Attorney-General Christian Porter has called `` extraordinary profits '' from a @ @ @ @ @

This is part three of Inq’s investigation into the Coalition’s war on class action funding. Read part one here and part two here.
Under normal circumstances the ASX-listed company Omni Bridgeway might be hailed as an Australian success story: a homegrown company which pioneered a new product and expanded to become the biggest international player in its segment, with a market capitalisation of more than $1 billion, predicted earnings growth of over 60% and offices in half-a-dozen countries, including the tax haven of Guernsey.
But the success of Omni Bridgeway and others which have flocked to the business of litigation funding is no cause for celebration in Canberra, where litigation funding is to be the subject of a parliamentary inquiry to examine what Attorney-General Christian Porter has called “extraordinary profits” from a “booming” industry.


crikey--2020-05-28--Beijing’s Hong Kong plans may lead to an exodus, and Australia must be ready

It 's not just Australia 's diplomatic interests being threatened by China 's tightening grip on Hong Kong — 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ .
Beijing ’ s swift action to tighten its grip on the once-freewheeling financial centre @ @ @ @ @ Australia yet another problem in its increasingly fractured relationship with the People ’ s Republic @ @ @ @ @ matters worse , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wants to remove Hong Kong ’ @ @ @ @ @ and investment .
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region that Xi Jinping appears determined to @ @ @ @ @ about 100,000 Australians as well as about 6000 Australian-owned businesses , according to the latest @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Affairs and Trade .

Beijing’s swift action to tighten its grip on the once-freewheeling financial centre of Hong Kong has handed Australia yet another problem in its increasingly fractured relationship with the People’s Republic of China.
To make matters worse, US Secretary
of State Mike Pompeo wants to remove Hong Kong’s special status for trade and
investment.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region that Xi Jinping appears determined to make not-quite-so-special is home to about 100,000 Australians as well as about 6000 Australian-owned businesses, according to the latest figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.


crikey--2020-05-28--Why is COVID-19 modelling ‘useful’ but suicide modelling ‘unwarranted’?

Flattening the curve of mental health-related deaths is just as important as flattening the curve of the coronavirus .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ the two issues could hardly be more different .
Research released this week has tracked @ @ @ @ @ psychological stress among Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Mental health experts argue flattening the @ @ @ @ @ is just as important as flattening the curve of the coronavirus -- however rhetoric surrounding @ @ @ @ @ health deaths is starkly different .
COVID-19 modelling by Melbourne University 's Doherty Institute has @ @ @ @ @ Scott Morrison as “ a useful tool ” to “ inform Australian governments ” , @ @ @ @ @ suicide modelling by Sydney University ’ s Brain and Mind Centre has been called “ @ @ @ @ @ chief medical officer for mental health Ruth Vine .

Research released this week has tracked a marked increase in severe psychological stress among Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental health experts argue flattening the curve of mental health-related deaths is just as important as flattening the curve of the coronavirus — however rhetoric surrounding COVID-19 deaths versus post-pandemic mental health deaths is starkly different.
COVID-19 modelling by Melbourne University’s Doherty Institute has been described by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as “a useful tool” to “inform Australian governments”, whereas mental health impact and suicide modelling by Sydney University’s Brain and Mind Centre has been called “unwarranted” by recently-appointed deputy chief medical officer for mental health Ruth Vine.


crikey--2020-05-31--Open the floodgates: get ready for another fight about water

A new inquiry will look at Australia 's water : one of the most vitriolic and dangerous policy areas in @ @ @ @ @ country .
Here we go .
The Productivity Commission has just ripped the lid off @ @ @ @ @ by opening a new inquiry into water reform .
Water is one of the most @ @ @ @ @ in this bone-dry yet also flood-prone country .
And the inquiry , which commenced with @ @ @ @ @ week , will look at the 2004 National Water Initiative -- the overarching water agreement @ @ @ @ @ and territories ( except WA and Tasmania , which share very few rivers with the @ @ @ @ @ It covers rural and urban water , offering up ample areas for disagreement .
The @ @ @ @ @ auspicious , coming at a time when the eastern seaboard is verdant .
After an @ @ @ @ @ three years , eastern Australia has taken a soaking in 2020 .
The next two @ @ @ @ @ and the recent rains .

Here we go. The Productivity Commission has just ripped the lid off a nasty can of worms by opening a new inquiry into water reform.
Water is one of the most vitriolic and dangerous policy areas in this bone-dry yet also flood-prone country. And the inquiry, which commenced with an issues paper released last week, will look at the 2004 National Water Initiative — the overarching water agreement between the Commonwealth, states and territories (except WA and Tasmania, which share very few rivers with the rest of us). It covers rural and urban water, offering up ample areas for disagreement.
The review’s timing is auspicious, coming at a time when the eastern seaboard is verdant. After an enormous drought over the last three years, eastern Australia has taken a soaking in 2020. The next two maps depict the long-lasting drought and the recent rains.


crikey--2020-06-01--Turnbull says Trump ‘seeks to exploit divisions for political gain’

Former PM Malcolm Turnbull has criticised US President Donald Trump in a wide-ranging conversation with Crikey editor-in-chief Peter Fray .
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has said the US is weaker under President Donald Trump , with his response to unrest over the weekend giving “ a penetrating glimpse of the obvious ” .
Trump “ seeks to exploit divisions for political gain ” , and has made the United States weaker , Turnbull said in a wide-ranging conversation with Crikey editor-in-chief Peter Fray on Monday .
“ The US is less influential under Trump , because it seeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is what happens when you withdraw from global organisations like the World Health Organization.
” But Turnbull stopped well short of a ringing endorsement for Trump ’ s presumptive opponent Joe Biden , questioning whether he would be a “ sufficiently inspiring ” candidate .
“ Biden is a product of the Washington system , in some ways he personifies everything that Trump campaigned against , ” he said .
“ People may say , ‘ he ’ s not the most inspiring guy — he ’ s not JFK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he is a safe pair of hands ’ .
” Elsewhere , in the interview — an exclusive webinar held for Crikey subscribers — he conceded he regretted giving Peter Dutton the gargantuan Home Affairs portfolio , having concluded before the 2018 coup that Dutton “ wasn ’ t quite up to it ” .
Turnbull took predictable aim at the hard-right crescent of the party he used to lead — backed by elements of the media — that would rather see the Liberal party lose office that see it run by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party does not accept the premise of a political party any longer , ” he said .
“ A political party is where you kick around ideas and follow the majority view .
The hard right is prepared to blow the joint up if it doesn ’ t get its way .
And over time this leads the ‘ sensible centrists ’ to leave.
” He pointed to the three “ small-l liberal women ” holding Warringah , Mayo and Indi — seats that had previously been safely Liberal — as evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after dark , right-wing Liberal party point of view very unattractive ” .
The Murdoch media ’ s corrosive effect on Australian democracy — that unity complaint between him and Kevin Rudd — was of course brought up , as well as the personal animus — “ the sheer insane hatred of some of these characters ” — aimed at him personally : “ Murdoch acknowledged to me that [ former Australian editor and current Sky News CEO ] Paul Whittaker was part of the group that wanted to bring my government down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so that Tony Abbott could come back and could lead us back to glorious victory in 2022.
” Earlier , he ’ d said : “ The Murdoch media is now a political organisation that employs journalists.
” Perhaps it was a hangover of his time in office , but in suggesting solutions to what he identified as Australia ’ s biggest issues , Turnbull frequently minimised the role politicians could play .
He attributed the end of Alan Jones ’ career — a man he described as “ vicious , misogynistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the grassroots work of Mad Fucking Witches and Sleeping Giants .
Asked about the toxic environment women face in Australian politics , he said , “ it ’ s far too blokey ” , but didn ’ t support quotas .
On the apparent hypocrisy of complaining about the influence of fossil fuel companies while his own party took money from the likes of Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer , he avoided a direct answer .
“ I have long-argued that political donation should be limited to people who are on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or unions and have an annual cap , ” he said , arguing it was difficult to enact laws to that effect .
He couldn ’ t stop himself from adding , “ We may not have won the 2016 election if I hadn ’ t kicked in nearly $ 2 million ” .

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has accused Donald Trump of fuelling current US race riots and seeking “to exploit divisions for political gain”.
Turnbull, in a live interview on Monday for Crikey and The Mandarin subscribers with editor-in-chief Peter Fray, described the current nationwide riots, sparked by the death of African-American man George Floyd, at the hands of police as “terrifying”.
He said Trump had made the United States weaker during the course of his presidency. “The US is less influential under Trump, because it seeks to be less influential,” Turnbull said. “This is what happens when you withdraw from global organisations like the World Health Organization.”


crikey--2020-06-01--What’s the difference between COAG and the national cabinet?

COAG is gone forever , replaced by a national cabinet .
We look at whether there is actually a difference @ @ @ @ @ announced on Friday afternoon the national cabinet , formed in mid-March in response to COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ and territory leaders , is here to stay .
It ’ s only the second @ @ @ @ @ been established -- the first being in World War Two -- and is going to @ @ @ @ @ Governments ( COAG ) .
But what ’ s the difference between the two ?
@ @ @ @ @ lack of transparency of the national cabinet -- now , we have a few more @ @

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday afternoon the national cabinet, formed in mid-March in response to COVID-19 and made up of state and territory leaders, is here to stay.
It’s only the second time a national cabinet has been established — the first being in World War Two — and is going to replace the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
But what’s the difference between the two? Crikey has previously examined the lack of transparency of the national cabinet — now, we have a few more details.


crikey--2020-06-01--What public servants knew — and when they knew it — needs robodebt inquiry

Why did the government undertake robodebt when there were major questions about its legality ?
Regardless of Friday 's backflip , an inquiry is needed to establish the origin of the debacle .
It ’ s been a while since Australian politics saw an act as gutless as Scott Morrison ’ s on Friday .
Mere minutes after the prime minister finished another of his interminable post-national cabinet monologues and walked away from journalists , Government Services Minister Stuart Robert issued a media release revealing one of the most expensive backflips in Commonwealth history .
The government would repay at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had “ raised ” against welfare recipients under the now discredited robodebt scheme .
At a media conference conveniently on the Gold Coast , rather than before the same journalists Morrison had just walked out on , Robert tried to claim he ’ d moved quickly to address the scheme ’ s flaws : “ the information presented to me saw a change in November , I acted swiftly on behalf of the government to pause debt recovery and to refine the system.
” Robert refused to apologise to the 373,000 victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme .
Christian Porter , appearing on the ABC yesterday , also refused to apologise .
Both at least fronted the cameras .
Scott Morrison ran away .
This was Scott Morrison ’ s scheme , one he — the former social services minister — proudly boasted about as treasurer in the 2016 election campaign , claiming it would pump billions into the budget bottom line .
Now it ’ s fodder for a Friday afternoon garbage dump , with junior ministers sent out to publicly eat the shit sandwich .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single cent of additional revenue , given the repayment , the likely compensation , the legal costs associated with a number of cases , and the extraordinary costs of implementing the supposedly automated scheme , including the siccing of debt collectors onto innocent welfare recipients .
Morrison and his colleagues , and the Social Services public servants who devised and implemented the scheme , will be hoping to avoid accountability for the debacle , which goes back to a single fact : there was always a serious question mark over the legality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robodebt , income averaging .
The government gave up pretending income averaging was lawful last November , just before settling the case brought by Deanna Amato in the Federal Court .
Robert is trying to pretend that that was when the penny dropped about income averaging , and the government is refusing to say how long it knew about the lack of a legal basis for its flagship savings measure .
As is now well documented , however , the lack of a lawful basis was clear from early on .
Social security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the legality of income averaging in early 2017 , noting the limitations on its use under legislation and that Human Services ’ own guidelines recommend that averaging be used selectively .
Administrative Appeals Tribunal ( AAT ) member Terry Carney found that there was no legal basis for the debts raised at the same time , in decisions the government declined to appeal .
The government instead dumped Carney from the tribunal while it stacked it with former Coalition MPs , staffers and party members .
Why did public servants prepare and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong chance of being found unlawful ?
Was legal advice sought ?
Or did Social Services , like the Department of Health in the sports rorts scandal , refuse to obtain legal advice it knew would show there was no legal basis for the proposed actions ?
The financial cost of the debacle is only one aspect .
Robodebt needlessly inflicted misery and anxiety of hundreds of thousands of Australians .
The number of suicides caused by the receipt of automatically generated debt letters is unlikely to ever be known .
Throughout , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or evade accountability .
In the most recent round of Senate estimates hearings , departmental officials like Social Services secretary Kathryn Campbell refused to provide basic information , like the number of victims of income averaging , to a Senate committee .
Similar obfuscation is likely to be used against attempts by the Senate to establish the crucial issue of how much Social Services knew about the unlawfulness of income averaging when the scheme was crafted in 2015 , what advice was sought and what was communicated to the minister .
The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial inquiry or royal commission , in which the likes of Campbell and her offsiders like Annette Musolino will be unable to take questions on notice or hide behind ministers .
It ’ s pro forma to call for a royal commission into any minor scandal these days , but the case for a judicial inquiry into the debacle is compelling .
It would be able to examine not merely the issue of what was known about the unlawfulness of the scheme , but the human cost of the scheme , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pursue victims , the release of the private information of Andie Fox by departmental officials when she dared to criticise the scheme ( disgustingly defended by Campbell , Musolino and other officials in 2018 ) , the government ’ s legal strategy of avoiding appealing AAT decision if they might lead to exposure of the unlawfulness of the scheme , and behaviour in Centrelink ’ s “ debt recovery offices ” .
Morrison can try to run away from his debacle , but serious questions about why a government embarked on an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Australians will remain .
What did you make of the government ’ s Friday afternoon robodebt backflip ?
Let us know your thoughts by writing to [ email protected ] .
Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey ’ s Your Say column .

It’s been a while since Australian politics saw an act as gutless as Scott Morrison’s on Friday.
Mere minutes after the prime minister finished another of his interminable post-national cabinet monologues and walked away from journalists, Government Services Minister Stuart Robert issued a media release revealing one of the most expensive backflips in Commonwealth history. The government would repay at least $720 million in fake debts it had “raised” against welfare recipients under the now discredited robodebt scheme.
At a media conference conveniently on the Gold Coast, rather than before the same journalists Morrison had just walked out on, Robert tried to claim he’d moved quickly to address the scheme’s flaws: “the information presented to me saw a change in November, I acted swiftly on behalf of the government to pause debt recovery and to refine the system.”


crikey--2020-06-01--The fight for reproductive rights isn’t over in Australia until there’s equity in access

Abortion may be disappearing from criminal codes across Australia , but a lack of access to providers means the fight @ @ @ @ @ You can see how long these battles have taken in the faces of the women @ @ @ @ @ line .
A few days before abortion was decriminalised in Queensland in October 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ by a cane , on the steps outside state parliament house for a rally in @ @ @ @ @ She had been fighting for this for almost 50 years .
In the 1970s Holmes @ @ @ @ @ a pregnancy counselling service that has survived on a shoestring , through decades of hate @ @ @ @ @ many bricks through the window , as a safe place for women to find information @ @ @ @ @ to access abortion safely .

You can see how long these battles have taken in the faces of the women who were on the front line.
A few days before abortion was decriminalised in Queensland in October 2018, Beryl Holmes stood, supported by a cane, on the steps outside state parliament house for a rally in support of the bill. She had been fighting for this for almost 50 years.
In the 1970s Holmes co-founded Children by Choice, a pregnancy counselling service that has survived on a shoestring, through decades of hate mail and a few too many bricks through the window, as a safe place for women to find information, support and often money to access abortion safely.


crikey--2020-06-02--Mental health services | Who to contact during lockdown

It is normal to be feeling more stressed , anxious or down that you were before the pandemic started , however , it 's important to get support as soon as you can .
Our journalism usually sits behind a paywall , but we believe this is the time to make more of our content freely available to as many readers as possible .
For more free coverage , sign up to COVID-19 Watch What mental health services are available to Australians ?
Who can , and should , you contact during lockdown ?
Feeling out of sorts is perfectly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced with this year to date .
Knowing when something isn ’ t quite right can also be challenging , but being aware of the signs and symptoms of negative mental health is key to managing your mood now and in the future .
Signs and symptoms of poor mental health vary from person to person and condition to condition .
However , Mayo Clinic says you should look out for the following : • Feeling sad or down on an on-going basis • A lack of interest in people and activities you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not sleeping enough • Feeling overwhelmed and/or stressed by things that would not have phased you in the past The above is not a conclusive list ; everyone ’ s experience with their mental health is as unique as they are .
If you are worried about your mental health , you should keep track of your moods so you can talk a health professional about how you are feeling .
Who should you call ?
Counselling Online recommends a number of specialised services and helplines that Australians can access here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are here to help remotely : • SANE Australia offers counselling and support for people experiencing or caring for those with mental illness • Suicide Callback Service offers 24-hour telephone and online counselling for people concerned about suicide • Headspace offer an online and telephone counselling service for young people aged 12–25 who are concerned about mental health issues • Kids Helpline is a free helpline for young people aged 5–25 to confidentially discuss any problem • QLife offers a free counselling and referral service for LGBTQIA+ people experiencing any issue that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is available 3:00pm to 12:00am • Gambling Help Online offers 24-hour telephone and online counselling for people who are affected by gambling • National Debt Helpline is a telephone line available Monday to Friday , 9:30am to 4:30pm to discuss any problems related to debt .
Read : When will social distancing end in Australia ?

What mental health services are available to Australians? Who can, and should, you contact during lockdown?
Feeling out of sorts is perfectly normal given the challenges Australians have been faced with this year to date. Knowing when something isn’t quite right can also be challenging, but being aware of the signs and symptoms of negative mental health is key to managing your mood now and in the future.
Signs and symptoms of poor mental health vary from person to person and condition to condition. However, Mayo Clinic says you should look out for the following:


crikey--2020-06-02--Youth unemployment | How many younger people are unemployed due to coronavirus?

While the younger generations may have a lower risk of health implications from coronavirus , they are set to lose on the employment landscape , or lack thereof , in the coming months , and potentially years .
How many younger people are unemployed due to coronavirus ?
Over 800,000 people in Australia have lost their jobs since the coronavirus pandemic began .
While a breakdown of the number of people unemployed by age is not currently available , the Grattan Institute says younger people , or those aged 15-24 , are disproportionately affected by the pandemic and will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is expected that one million young people will be unemployed in the UK by the end of the year .
In China , one in six young people have found themselves jobless since the pandemic began , while in the US , 27.4 % of those aged 16-24 are now unemployed .
On top of the struggles faced by those who were working in face-to-face environments , there is an even greater burden for workers who find themselves on casual contracts , because not all of them will receive support from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Currently , 500,000 people who were working as casuals for less than 12 months are now unemployed and are not receiving JobKeeper payments .
Younger people are allowed to access their superannuation fund , however , this is being dubbed by some as irresponsible , as it could leave this group with $ 54,000-84,000 less in their retirement savings down the line .
According to the University of Melbourne , the younger demographic have been “ crowded out ” by those aged 25-54 since the global financial crisis .
This means this age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less ; they have had to graft harder for less stable opportunities via unpaid internships and low pay .
The University of Melbourne comments are based on the fact that it took many years for the 25-54 year old age group to re-enter a period of stability , and even longer for the younger demographic to reach a period of growth .
Youth unemployment is likely to be a very real issue in the years of recovery after coronavirus because : • The younger demographic is more likely to work in face-to-face environments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and events • The younger demographic is more likely to be employed on part-time or casual contracts , meaning the nature of their work could be less stable than their full-time peers • The younger demographic is likely to have less experience than their older counterparts , who may also be likely to delay retirement in a bid to add extra security to their superannuation fund .
According to University of Melbourne economics professor , Jeff Borland , soon-to-be graduates are in danger of entering an unemployment cycle following graduation .
Borland is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and access to free TAFE courses to ensure there is something on the other side for students .
Read : How many people are unemployed in Australia ?

How many younger people are unemployed due to coronavirus?
Over 800,000 people in Australia have lost their jobs since the coronavirus pandemic began. While a breakdown of the number of people unemployed by age is not currently available, the Grattan Institute says younger people, or those aged 15-24, are disproportionately affected by the pandemic and will continue to be negatively affected into the future.
It is expected that one million young people will be unemployed in the UK by the end of the year. In China, one in six young people have found themselves jobless since the pandemic began, while in the US, 27.4% of those aged 16-24 are now unemployed.


crikey--2020-06-02--Mark Zuckerberg faces staff revolt over yet another Facebook backflip

This is n't the first time Facebook has faced pressure for enabling violent rhetoric .
But this time staff are @ @ @ @ @ Mark Zuckerberg , arguably one of the most powerful men in the world , is @ @ @ @ @ a failure to police his hugely influential social media platform .
Employees at Facebook have @ @ @ @ @ partly in response to the company ’ s decision not to censure a post ( @ @ @ @ @ which US President Donald Trump warned of violent police retaliation against protesters .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ shooting starts , ” Trump tweeted .
Twitter put up a label warning that the @ @ @ @ @ violence .
Facebook allowed the post , however , with Zuckerberg saying that the statement @ @ @ @ @ , and argued “ people should be able to see this for themselves ” .

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, arguably one of the most powerful men in the world, is once again under fire over a failure to police his hugely influential social media platform.
Employees at Facebook have staged a virtual walkout, partly in response to the company’s decision not to censure a post (initially on Twitter) in which US President Donald Trump warned of violent police retaliation against protesters.
“When the looting starts, the shooting starts,” Trump tweeted. Twitter put up a label warning that the post contravened rules on inciting violence. Facebook allowed the post, however, with Zuckerberg saying that the statement was a warning to protesters, and argued “people should be able to see this for themselves”.