crikey--2020-06-15--Virus Watch: More evidence for masks preventing COVID-19 infections

The evidence is stacking up for wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , plus more of the latest @ @ @ @ @ save us all yet .
NSW police handed out more than $ 1 million in @ @ @ @ @ .
And men who accessed their superannuation early splurged on gambling , while women spent @ @ @ @ @ along with family necessities .
Masks may be the answer Masks may be better at @ @ @ @ @ than hand washing or social distancing , new research shows -- but only marginally .
@ @ @ @ @ aircraft carrier found 55.8 % of those who wore a mask got infected with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ did n't .
Of those who practised social distancing , 54.7 % were infected , @ @ @ @ @ n't practise social distancing were infected .

Masks may save us all yet. NSW police handed out more than $1 million in fines over just five weeks. And men who accessed their superannuation early splurged on gambling, while women spent more on beauty care, along with family necessities.
Masks may be the answer
Masks may be better at limiting the spread of COVID-19 than hand washing or social distancing, new research shows — but only marginally.
A study on a US aircraft carrier found 55.8% of those who wore a mask got infected with COVID-19 compared to 80.8% who didn’t. Of those who practised social distancing, 54.7% were infected, while 70% who didn’t practise social distancing were infected.


crikey--2020-06-15--Don't say the c-word: what was missing from Morrison's latest chat with Modi

Australia has a perfect relationship with India ... as long as coal and human rights abuses are left entirely off @ @ @ @ @ has dramatically changed since Scott Morrison and India 's Prime Minister Narendra Modi were last @ @ @ @ @ That was in January .
Six months and one pandemic later , the meeting finally @ @ @ @ @ -- virtually , of course .
But the real change was what didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ .
Much like iron ore to China , coal is the centrepiece of Australia ’ @ @ @ @ @ $ 21.1 billion in exports to India in 2018 , $ 10.9 billion was coal @ @ @ @ @ trade with India would have come in an unwelcome light for Morrison at this time @

The world has dramatically changed since Scott Morrison and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi were last meant to catch up.
That was in January. Six months and one pandemic later, the meeting finally took place earlier in June — virtually, of course. But the real change was what didn’t get a mention: coal.
Much like iron ore to China, coal is the centrepiece of Australia’s India exports. Of $21.1 billion in exports to India in 2018, $10.9 billion was coal. Australia’s fossil fuel trade with India would have come in an unwelcome light for Morrison at this time.


crikey--2020-06-02--Worm: Biden his time

Worm: Biden his time

Good morning , early birds .
Joe Biden has accused Donald Trump of being part of the problem , and the US Ambassador to Australia has responded to the assault of Australian journalists by US police .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden has joined a local bishop , a senior White House official , and most of polite society in condemning Donald Trump for clearing out peaceful protesters with the help of rubber bullets and tear gas in order to hold a big bible outside St John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring in the army — a move that irked even the Pentagon — the ABC reports that Biden has accused the president of being part of the problem and “ consumed with his blinding ego , ” while pledging not to “ fan the flames of hate if elected president and instead seek to heal the racial wounds that have long plagued ” the country .
In some fresh horrors from the US : • Austin police have shot three protesters with “ less lethal ” ammunition .
These protesters included a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abdomen , and a man currently in critical condition .
• Seattle police deployed pepper spray and fireworks on a crowd in what ended up looking like a war zone .
Arkansas police were filmed doing much to the same to kneeling protesters .
• Four Missouri police officers have been treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being shot by as-yet-unidentified gunfire .
An officer has also been shot near the Las Vegas Strip .
• Military helicopters were filmed by a New York Times journalist flying low enough around DC to kick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • LA police attempted to arrest the black owners of a store who had requested help following a looting .
Conversely , The Daily Beast reports that groups of white men in Philadelphia armed with bats and guns are yet to be bothered .
WHAT DOES GOVERNMENT VALUE ?
For a good demonstration of America ’ s funding priorities , compare some of the shiny batons and shields in Trump ’ s photo-op to the literal trash bags nurses and doctors have been forced to wear during COVID-19 .
US TECHNICALLY RESPONDS TO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morning Herald reports , US Ambassador to Australia Arthur B Culvahouse Jr has issued a fairly generic statement on press freedom after DC police were filmed assaulting Channel Seven journalists outside the White House .
ABC America filmed cops hitting cameraman Tim Myers with a riot shield before punching him in the face , while reporter Amelia Brace was hit with a baton .
SOLIDARITY FOREVER : In a more tangible response to the instances of police violence , Business Insider reports that New York and Minneapolis bus drivers , with union support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested protesters .
FAR FROM A US PROBLEM On the home front , the ABC reports that NSW police is investigating one of its own officers after he was filmed kicking the legs out of an Indigenous teenager .
The news comes as Nine reports that over a thousand people marched in Sydney last night ahead of even more protests this weekend , while CNN lists a number of other solidarity protests across countries including New Zealand , England , Mexico , Syria and more .
Just remember to wear your COVID-19 masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THAT AFR EDITORIAL : In some incredible timing , the Victorian government yesterday introduced legislation expanding the deployment of Protective Services Officers from train stations to shopping centres , sporting precincts and other highly populated areas .
As the Coalition faces pressure to include social housing under a homebuyer-focused construction scheme worth just under $ 1 billion , The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Community Housing Industry Association and National Shelter will today release modelling suggesting a four-year building program of 30,000 homes could create up to 18,000 full-time jobs per year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government considers the financial fallout across several industries with The Australian ( $ ) reporting that Education Minister Dan Tehan will today stare down universities calling for urgent support .
The Coalition will next week unveil an arts and entertainment package , and could announce the scaling back of free childcare by Friday .
NSW HITS A SNAG : According to the SMH , the Labor and conservative Senate crossbenchers have joined forces to block the Berejiklian government ’ s attempt to freeze public sector wages .
• Virtual and live-streamed events will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mabo Day , a full list of which can be found on the official Facebook page .
• The Tasmanian government will bring forward Stage Two restrictions from 3pm Friday June 5 , to allow intrastate travel , more businesses to reopen , and gathering limits of 10 for households , 20 for indoor/outdoor events , and 40 for seated table service at cafes etc .
• Elsewhere , the state government welcomed the launch of asymptomatic COVID-19 mobile testing facilities across construction sites under a new initiative being delivered by construction body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSW will reopen gyms from June 13 , with facilities to keep a ( new ) register of every visitor .
• Finally , with Winter upon us , South Australia , Queensland and Tasmania all posted updates about campgrounds reopening in time for the upcoming Queen ’ s Birthday long weekend .
PS : Winter , sadly , also means an increased risk of airborne transmission : a new University of Sydney study ( $ ) found a 1 % decrease in humidity could lift the number of COVID-19 cases by 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sure , it might not be Bernie Sanders ’ idea of criminal justice reform — or even really how guns work — but the presumptive Democratic nominee still offers America a strong alternative to police killings : police maimings .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Australian bushfires : FOIs shed new light on why Morrison government was ill-prepared Police Commissioner Chris Dawson orders inquiry into sexual workplace harassment within WA Police after Sarah Colja revelations ( $ ) Australian government YouTube videos promoting logging should be taken down , Greens say Hunt gives $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halt trials China withheld data on coronavirus from WHO , recordings reveal Ben Roberts-Smith involved in seven unlawful killings , new witness statements allege Coronavirus : Visa restrictions are a bar to career prospects for migrants ( $ ) Australia had its own George Floyd moment , only it passed without international outrage — Isabella Higgins ( ABC ) : “ The deep anguish felt after the death of George Floyd is something Indigenous communities understand all too well , except here , they are still waiting for their moment of international reckoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the death has been enormous , thousands taking to the streets to protest against the death of black men in the custody of white police officers.
” A perfect storm is exposing Donald Trump and US frailties ( $ ) — Paul Kelly ( The Australian ) : “ The most powerful nation on Earth is being brought undone from within by its pent-up governance and moral failures .
The crisis has multiple triggers — abuse of police power , entrenched disadvantage of black Americans , mounting anger in American hearts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polarisation driven by Donald Trump ’ s populism and Democrat progressivism.
” ABC ’ s QandA : Old fossils versus smart advocates of clean energy transition — Giles Parkinson ( RenewEconomy ) : “ This must have been a set-up .
Two middle aged men and three younger women arguing the toss on climate change and energy policies on the ABC ’ s Q & A program .
Two old fossils putting the case for dirty , old , and incumbent technologies .
Three smart women putting forward the environmental , economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” • Today is Mabo Day , the 28th anniversary of Eddie Mabo ’ s High Court win for Native Title rights and dismissal of “ terra nullius ” as a legislative principle .

BIDEN PLAYS IT SAFE
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden has joined a local bishop, a senior White House official, and most of polite society in condemning Donald Trump for clearing out peaceful protesters with the help of rubber bullets and tear gas in order to hold a big bible outside St John’s Church.
After Trump threatened to bring in the army — a move that irked even the Pentagon — the ABC reports that Biden has accused the president of being part of the problem and “consumed with his blinding ego,” while pledging not to “fan the flames of hate if elected president and instead seek to heal the racial wounds that have long plagued” the country.
In some fresh horrors from the US:
Conversely, The Daily Beast reports that groups of white men in Philadelphia armed with bats and guns are yet to be bothered.
WHAT DOES GOVERNMENT VALUE? For a good demonstration of America’s funding priorities, compare some of the shiny batons and shields in Trump’s photo-op to the literal trash bags nurses and doctors have been forced to wear during COVID-19.
US TECHNICALLY RESPONDS TO ASSAULT OF AUSSIE JOURNOS
As The Sydney Morning Herald reports, US Ambassador to Australia Arthur B Culvahouse Jr has issued a fairly generic statement on press freedom after DC police were filmed assaulting Channel Seven journalists outside the White House.
ABC America filmed cops hitting cameraman Tim Myers with a riot shield before punching him in the face, while reporter Amelia Brace was hit with a baton.
SOLIDARITY FOREVER: In a more tangible response to the instances of police violence, Business Insider reports that New York and Minneapolis bus drivers, with union support, have refused to transport police and arrested protesters.
FAR FROM A US PROBLEM
On the home front, the ABC reports that NSW police is investigating one of its own officers after he was filmed kicking the legs out of an Indigenous teenager.
The news comes as Nine reports that over a thousand people marched in Sydney last night ahead of even more protests this weekend, while CNN lists a number of other solidarity protests across countries including New Zealand, England, Mexico, Syria and more. Just remember to wear your COVID-19 masks, comrades!
ALMOST AS BAD AS THAT AFR EDITORIAL: In some incredible timing, the Victorian government yesterday introduced legislation expanding the deployment of Protective Services Officers from train stations to shopping centres, sporting precincts and other highly populated areas.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
FALLOUT ON THE HORIZON
As the Coalition faces pressure to include social housing under a homebuyer-focused construction scheme worth just under $1 billion, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Community Housing Industry Association and National Shelter will today release modelling suggesting a four-year building program of 30,000 homes could create up to 18,000 full-time jobs per year.
The news comes as the Morrison government considers the financial fallout across several industries with The Australian ($) reporting that Education Minister Dan Tehan will today stare down universities calling for urgent support. The Coalition will next week unveil an arts and entertainment package, and could announce the scaling back of free childcare by Friday.
NSW HITS A SNAG: According to the SMH, the Labor and conservative Senate crossbenchers have joined forces to block the Berejiklian government’s attempt to freeze public sector wages.
STATE WRAP: QUEENSLAND’S VIRTUAL MABO DAY CELEBRATIONS
PS: Winter, sadly, also means an increased risk of airborne transmission: a new University of Sydney study ($) found a 1% decrease in humidity could lift the number of COVID-19 cases by 6%.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Instead of standing there and teaching a cop when there’s an unarmed person comin’ at ’em, with a knife or something, to shoot ’em in the leg instead of the heart is a very different thing. Joe Biden
Sure, it might not be Bernie Sanders’ idea of criminal justice reform — or even really how guns work — but the presumptive Democratic nominee still offers America a strong alternative to police killings: police maimings.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Australian bushfires: FOIs shed new light on why Morrison government was ill-prepared
Victorian Liberals demand audit of state’s COVID spending
Police Commissioner Chris Dawson orders inquiry into sexual workplace harassment within WA Police after Sarah Colja revelations ($)
Australian government YouTube videos promoting logging should be taken down, Greens say
Trump, Morrison discuss Hong Kong, G7
Hunt gives $170k for controversial drug as other countries halt trials
China withheld data on coronavirus from WHO, recordings reveal
Ben Roberts-Smith involved in seven unlawful killings, new witness statements allege
Cyrus, Bain make final cut for Virgin bid ($)
Coronavirus: Visa restrictions are a bar to career prospects for migrants ($)
LAPD, FBI collecting protest, looting footage as evidence for future arrests ($)
THE COMMENTARIAT
Australia had its own George Floyd moment, only it passed without international outrage — Isabella Higgins (ABC): “The deep anguish felt after the death of George Floyd is something Indigenous communities understand all too well, except here, they are still waiting for their moment of international reckoning. The response in the United States to the death has been enormous, thousands taking to the streets to protest against the death of black men in the custody of white police officers.”
A perfect storm is exposing Donald Trump and US frailties ($) — Paul Kelly (The Australian): “The most powerful nation on Earth is being brought undone from within by its pent-up governance and moral failures. The crisis has multiple triggers — abuse of police power, entrenched disadvantage of black Americans, mounting anger in American hearts, cultural schisms across the nation and political polarisation driven by Donald Trump’s populism and Democrat progressivism.”
ABC’s QandA: Old fossils versus smart advocates of clean energy transition — Giles Parkinson (RenewEconomy): “This must have been a set-up. Two middle aged men and three younger women arguing the toss on climate change and energy policies on the ABC’s Q&A program. Two old fossils putting the case for dirty, old, and incumbent technologies. Three smart women putting forward the environmental, economic and engineering case for a clean energy transition.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Australia


crikey--2020-04-24--The bags are back: health concerns and cheap oil sees plastic make a comeback

The lower price of crude , as well as fear about the coronavirus , is helping fuel a resurgence of @ @ @ @ @ does n't have to be permanent .
The keep cup has fallen .
Once-fashionable reusable @ @ @ @ @ of a faux pas .
And on the streets , disposable takeaway containers spill out @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 has caused plastic to made a comeback in a big way across the world @ @ @ @ @ demand for single-use plastic , and negative oil prices mean producing plastic is cheaper than @ @ @ @ @ a look at the resurgence of the once-dreaded product and asks whether our switch back @ @ @ @ @ .

The keep cup has fallen. Once-fashionable reusable shopping bags are now something of a faux pas. And on the streets, disposable takeaway containers spill out of overflowing yellow bins.
COVID-19 has caused plastic to made a comeback in a big way across the world. Health concerns have fuelled demand for single-use plastic, and negative oil prices mean producing plastic is cheaper than ever before.
Crikey takes a look at the resurgence of the once-dreaded product and asks whether our switch back to plastic could be permanent.


crikey--2020-04-29--'Team Australia' or watchdogs of the powerful? A struggling media can't decide

When the media become cheerleaders for measures that curb privacy , they undermine any defence against further government encroachments and fail the basic role of journalism : to hold the powerful to account .
Many journalists have been happy to tweet that they ’ ve downloaded the government ’ s COVID-19 app , effectively offering a public endorsement for software developed by a government that has raided and surveilled them to stop whistleblowing and silence sources revealing information in the public interest .
It ’ s their personal information , of course , so they can do with it whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more difficult for them to assure those sources who wish to remain anonymous that they are doing everything they can to keep their communications confidential — unless they avoid using their phones for any interaction with sources , which is the best-practice method .
Phones , after all , are just a surveillance device that you can use for phone calls .
Indeed a phone with bluetooth on and the screen permanently unlocked — which the COVID-19 app needs to function effectively — is a spy or a hacker ’ s wet dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further .
They have compared people with privacy concerns to terrorists , to anti-vaxxers , or called them “ Twitter cranks and contrarians ” .
One senior journalist described the app as a “ test ” for Australians .
Even those deeply concerned about the threat of government surveillance have argued that big tech companies are worse than any government app .
Many outlets have reported with an air of triumph about the rapid take-up of the app , although there ’ s been less of that in the past 24 hours as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view of app advocates in the media is , perhaps , understandable : they want to play their part in getting Australia through this unprecedented — at least in the lifetime of anyone under 100 — crisis .
They ’ re working for “ Team Australia ” because “ we ’ re all in this together ” .
A little cheerleading for the government , if it helps improve uptake of the app , is worth it — after all “ the life you save could be your own ” , etc .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis curmudgeons .
One problem with this is that it essentially destroys the media ’ s argument against further extensions of government powers of surveillance and control in relation to national security matters .
There is very little difference between public health and national security : in both cases the media must take the government ’ s word about the nature of the public threat , and in both cases governments claim the right to infringe basic freedoms and hide from scrutiny ( remember the refusal to release modelling because it might frighten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public interest .
Next time the government wants to give itself new powers to collect information , or surveil the population , or undermine cybersecurity , the mainstream media can not object .
Haven ’ t they led the way in urging the population to surrender some privacy for the public benefit against an insidious threat the government wants to protect us against ?
Indeed , hasn ’ t the media compared privacy advocates to terrorists — a practice normally reserved for politicians who like to argue anyone resistant to the loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorists or pedophiles — and suggested they ’ re as delusional as anti-vaxxers ?
Aren ’ t the tech giants much much worse anyway ?
The next extension of surveillance powers so the government can better track down journalists ’ sources will be a test for the media : whose side are they really on ?
The broader problem is that it ’ s not the media ’ s role to be pandemic patriots .
It is the job of the media to hold the powerful — and particularly governments — to account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handing themselves truly extraordinary powers of coercion and withdrawing basic freedoms from the population , this is more the case than at any time in recent decades .
When it proposes to place a surveillance app on the phone of — it hopes — the entire population , the case for vigorous interrogation of its proposal is especially strong .
Some ABC journalists , to their credit , have done their job .
Linton Besser and Dylan Welch have exposed the fact that data from the app was within reach of US security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presume to override those of other countries .
In doing so they also exposed the distressing fact that Australian politicians and bureaucrats knew much less about US laws and their extraterritorial intent than journalists did .
This has been something of an exception at the ABC which has enthusiastically adopted a “ Team Australia ” approach to its coverage , including senior journalists criticising Australians for failing to rigidly adhere to the often absurdly draconian lockdown laws imposed by state governments .
It ’ s not merely the nature of the powers governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists being watchdogs rather than cheerleaders .
The media itself , enduring an existential crisis that is smashing its beleaguered business model , faces a future in which it will be more dependent on government favours — via grants programs and regulatory relief — than at any time in its history .
The Australian commercial media ’ s future may very well depend on continued government support .
This will be a dangerous time for accountability .
Will media outlets balk at standing up for press freedom or challenging failed policy or corruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success in the next grant round ?
The times call for public interest journalism and vigorous watchdogs , not “ Team Australia ” and cheerleader journalists .
And that call will only grow stronger as media revenue crumbles .

Many journalists have been happy to tweet that they’ve downloaded the government’s COVID-19 app, effectively offering a public endorsement for software developed by a government that has raided and surveilled them to stop whistleblowing and silence sources revealing information in the public interest.
It’s their personal information, of course, so they can do with it whatever they like, but it makes it more difficult for them to assure those sources who wish to remain anonymous that they are doing everything they can to keep their communications confidential — unless they avoid using their phones for any interaction with sources, which is the best-practice method.


crikey--2020-05-05--'Immoral': how big retailers are using COVID-19 to squeeze suppliers

Australia 's biggest retailers are using COVID-19 as an excuse with their suppliers to demand heavy discounts and delay payments @ @ @ @ @ one of the country ’ s biggest retailers , Spotlight Group , was snapping up @ @ @ @ @ Scarfe for a cool $ 50 million .
Now it ’ s saying it can @ @ @ @ @ suppliers .
The company , owned by Melbourne rich listers Zac Fried and Morry Fraid @ @ @ @ @ their families were worth $ 1.61 billion in 2018 -- is just one example of @ @ @ @ @ Consumer Commission ( ACCC ) says is happening across the country : big retailers using @ @ @ @ @ demanding heavy discounts and delaying payments .

Two months ago, one of the country’s biggest retailers, Spotlight Group, was snapping up collapsed department store chain Harris Scarfe for a cool $50 million.
Now it’s saying it can’t afford to pay suppliers.
The company, owned by Melbourne rich listers Zac Fried and Morry Fraid — who, together with their families were worth $1.61 billion in 2018 — is just one example of what the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says is happening across the country: big retailers using COVID-19 to squeeze suppliers by demanding heavy discounts and delaying payments.


crikey--2020-05-05--Fact, fiction or conspiracy? Coronavirus theories explained

Theories and conspiracies on the origin and spread of COVID-19 are running rampant — which ones check out ?
A @ @ @ @ @ a missing graduate student and an alleged cover-up by Chinese authorities : theories and conspiracies @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 are running rampant , amplified by US politicians and Australian journalists .
So @ @ @ @ @ , and which ones hold their weight ?
There are two main theories on COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ it came from animals , or that it was developed in a lab .

A leaked Five Eyes report, a missing graduate student and an alleged cover-up by Chinese authorities: theories and conspiracies on the origin and spread of COVID-19 are running rampant, amplified by US politicians and Australian journalists.
So how did these theories start, and which ones hold their weight?
The theories
There are two main theories on COVID-19’s origin: that it came from animals, or that it was developed in a lab.


Worm Archives •

Good morning , early birds .
Following Victoria 's spike in COVID-19 cases , Victorians have been advised against travel @ @ @ @ @ hotspots until control of community transmission has been confirmed , and last summer 's extreme @ @ @ @ @ Australia 's electricity and gas infrastructure to the brink .
It 's the news you @ @ @ @ @ Chris Woods .

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crikey--2020-06-27--George Pell Archives •

George Pell Archives •

A new climate in Eden-Monaro , while Morrison ’ s boats are changing course The new Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro @ @ @ @ @ climate change , while Scott Morrison has a new attitude towards boats .
Catch up @ @ @ @ @ other latest tips and murmurs .


crikey--2020-06-09--Virus Watch: Solidarity trumps virus fears, and New Zealand declares COVID victory

Protesters defied authorities and the coronavirus to support the Black Lives Matter movement across Australia on Saturday .
Thousands take @ @ @ @ @ the Black Lives Matter movement , but will it lead to more health risks ?
@ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Elsewhere , though , the picture is far less rosy .
Brazil now @ @ @ @ @ cases in the world after the United States .
Thousands of Australians took to the @ @ @ @ @ our country ’ s pernicious legacy of Indigenous deaths in custody and show solidarity with @ @ @ @ @ erupted across the United States after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officers .
@ @ @ @ @ politicians , and a failed court challenge by NSW Police , to turn out in @ @ @ @ @ the rallies were outdoors , and organisers took great precaution to minimise risks , there @ @ @ @ @ worsen the spread of COVID-19 .

Thousands take to the streets to support the Black Lives Matter movement, but will it lead to more health risks? New Zealand declares victory over COVID-19. Elsewhere, though, the picture is far less rosy. Brazil now has the second-highest number of cases in the world after the United States.
Protests trigger the right
Thousands of Australians took to the streets on Saturday to protest our country’s pernicious legacy of Indigenous deaths in custody and show solidarity with Black Lives Matter rallies that erupted across the United States after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officers.
Protesters defied the pleas of politicians, and a failed court challenge by NSW Police, to turn out in huge numbers. But although the rallies were outdoors, and organisers took great precaution to minimise risks, there are fears large gatherings could worsen the spread of COVID-19.


crikey--2020-04-29--Worm: Tasmania and NT reveal the road ahead

The Tasmanian and Northern Territory governments will today announce their plans to slowly move away from lockdown .
But how are all these decisions actually made ?
According to The Mercury ( $ ) , Premier Peter Gutwein will today unveil his government ’ s plan to reopen Tasmania .
It ’ s expected that the restrictions on national parks and green space will be the among the first to be lifted .
Meanwhile , The NT News ( $ ) reports that Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner will allow playgrounds , pools and outdoor gyms to reopen on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan ahead for businesses , but it ’ s expected some will businesses will be allowed to reopen in mid-May .
COULD SA BUSINESS BUCK THE TREND ?
According to The Advertiser , some South Australian business leaders are leaning into a “ 28 days without a new case ” threshold , which , for that state , would be just another three weeks .
HOW DO YOU DECIDE TO REOPEN ?
The Daily Telegraph ( $ ) has published a matrix used by the NSW government to guide the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , social and health benefit .
From Friday , a maximum of two people are permitted to visit another household for social reasons .
The government will now reportedly focus on easing restrictions on outdoor activities throughout May .
As The Sydney Morning Herald reports , Scott Morrison will push for states to lift restaurant dining and domestic flight bans at tomorrow ’ s National Cabinet meeting .
Morrison has favoured a “ controlled suppression ” recovery strategy over a stricter “ elimination ” option .
Both of these methods were ranked — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and health cost/benefit — by more than 100 Group of Eight researchers in yesterday ’ s “ Roadmap to Recovery ” report .
The SMH reports that , back when he was sports minister , NSW Minister for Jobs Stuart Ayres “ directly intervened ” in a 2018 funding round from the NSW Office of Sport .
Most of the $ 33.4 million funding went to projects in Liberal electorates ahead of the 2019 state election .
This report comes after Bridget McKenzie , in a 6000-word submission to a Senate inquiry into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes “ no apology for exercising ministerial discretion ” .
As constitutional lawyer Anne Twomey explained back in February , this is discretion McKenzie did not really have .
HEY , ANOTHER NON-COVID STORY !
In other political news , the ABC reports that NSW Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro is seriously considering running in the federal Eden-Monaro byelection if , as expected , Labor MP Mike Kelly retires .
• NSW has launched a $ 250 million cleaners ’ package aimed at employment support and hygiene maintenance across public facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Western Australia has also launched a mandatory COVID-19 hygiene training and assessment for the hospitality industry , with venues only able to reopen when restrictions are lifted and every employee has successfully passed assessment • Victoria has announced the $ 45 million International Student Emergency Relief Fund , which will provide relief payments of up to $ 1100 to international students who have lost wages and work due to the pandemic • South Australia has launched COVID-19 Support Grants of up to $ 10,000 for community organisations and non-profits .
SA has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help free up hospital beds and support patients who can receive care in their community • Queensland has informed growers they will be able to maintain a seasonal workforce .
Any worker seeking to come to the state will be asked for written confirmation of a job in Queensland , where they have been for the previous two weeks , and where they plan to reside .
Finally , because it ’ s just that kind of year , the ABC reports that Australia National University researchers have discovered people are selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients ” on the dark web .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Responding to Keneally ’ s accusations that his department was responsible for the Ruby Princess fiasco , the Home Affairs Minister plays the “ uniformed officers ” card over a customs body only militarised in 2015 by… Peter Dutton .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Australian intelligence officials have no evidence of Wuhan lab link to coronavirus Former Myer boss Richard Umbers predicts more pain ahead for Australian retail Anger rises as home ’ s death toll hits 12 with more expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News : why the president is furious at the conservative network Eden-Monaro a bushfire byelection the PM doesn ’ t need — Niki Savva ( The Australian ) : “ There is no threat at all to Morrison , but voters could send a message anyway .
Mike Kelly won Eden-Monaro by less than 1 % last year .
With a bit more money and attention , the Liberal candidate , Fiona Kotvojs , might have won .
Alas , resources were poured into nearby Gilmore where Morrison ’ s hand-picked candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then lost the seat.
” Five ways Malcolm Turnbull ’ s memoir gets it wrong — Kevin Rudd ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ Wherever I go , foreigners are astounded that Murdoch commands 70 % of Australian newspaper circulation .
In Queensland , a key electoral battleground , he owns 14 of the 15 daily newspapers .
This media monopoly is a cancer on our democracy .
Turnbull ’ s thesis echoes my own : News Corp behaves like a political party in alliance with the Liberal right.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening — Rachel Donadio ( The Atlantic ) : “ Ever since Emmanuel Macron declared France ‘ at war ’ with the coronavirus , the entire country has been under home confinement , with residents allowed outside only for urgent needs .
So when the government announced a gradual reopening of some businesses and schools starting in May , a deep confusion set in.
” • The Senate committee on COVID-19 will hold a public hearing , to hear from the Department of Social Services , Services Australia , NDIA and NDIS Quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs , Defence and Trade will hold another hearing as part of the inquiry into targeted sanctions to address human rights abuses .
• Economist Joseph Stiglitz will discuss “ Inequality in a Pandemic ” with former Treasurer Wayne Swan in The Australia Institute ’ s webinar series , “ Economics of a Pandemic ” .

THE ROAD AHEAD
According to The Mercury ($), Premier Peter Gutwein will today unveil his government’s plan to reopen Tasmania. It’s expected that the restrictions on national parks and green space will be the among the first to be lifted.
Meanwhile, The NT News ($) reports that Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner will allow playgrounds, pools and outdoor gyms to reopen on Friday. Gunner will today announce the plan ahead for businesses, but it’s expected some will businesses will be allowed to reopen in mid-May.
COULD SA BUSINESS BUCK THE TREND? According to The Advertiser, some South Australian business leaders are leaning into a “28 days without a new case” threshold, which, for that state, would be just another three weeks.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE TO REOPEN?
The Daily Telegraph ($) has published a matrix used by the NSW government to guide the state’s recovery, with measures compared by economic, social and health benefit. From Friday, a maximum of two people are permitted to visit another household for social reasons. The government will now reportedly focus on easing restrictions on outdoor activities throughout May.
As The Sydney Morning Herald reports, Scott Morrison will push for states to lift restaurant dining and domestic flight bans at tomorrow’s National Cabinet meeting. Morrison has favoured a “controlled suppression” recovery strategy over a stricter “elimination” option. Both of these methods were ranked — again, by economic, social, and health cost/benefit — by more than 100 Group of Eight researchers in yesterday’s “Roadmap to Recovery” report.
MORE SPORTS RORTS?
The SMH reports that, back when he was sports minister, NSW Minister for Jobs Stuart Ayres “directly intervened” in a 2018 funding round from the NSW Office of Sport. Most of the $33.4 million funding went to projects in Liberal electorates ahead of the 2019 state election.
This report comes after Bridget McKenzie, in a 6000-word submission to a Senate inquiry into the federal sports rort, declared she makes “no apology for exercising ministerial discretion”. As constitutional lawyer Anne Twomey explained back in February, this is discretion McKenzie did not really have.
HEY, ANOTHER NON-COVID STORY! In other political news, the ABC reports that NSW Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro is seriously considering running in the federal Eden-Monaro byelection if, as expected, Labor MP Mike Kelly retires.
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STATE WRAP
NSW has launched a $250 million cleaners’ package aimed at employment support and hygiene maintenance across public facilities including state transport, schools and TAFE
Western Australia has also launched a mandatory COVID-19 hygiene training and assessment for the hospitality industry, with venues only able to reopen when restrictions are lifted and every employee has successfully passed assessment
Victoria has announced the $45 million International Student Emergency Relief Fund, which will provide relief payments of up to $1100 to international students who have lost wages and work due to the pandemic
South Australia has launched COVID-19 Support Grants of up to $10,000 for community organisations and non-profits. SA has also committed to expanding My Home Hospital to help free up hospital beds and support patients who can receive care in their community
Queensland has informed growers they will be able to maintain a seasonal workforce. Any worker seeking to come to the state will be asked for written confirmation of a job in Queensland, where they have been for the previous two weeks, and where they plan to reside.
BLOOD MONEY
Finally, because it’s just that kind of year, the ABC reports that Australia National University researchers have discovered people are selling blood “allegedly belonging to recovered coronavirus patients” on the dark web.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
But Kristina Keneally’s frankly unhinged attacks on the Border Force uniformed officers have been quite remarkable and regrettable. Peter Dutton
Responding to Keneally’s accusations that his department was responsible for the Ruby Princess fiasco, the Home Affairs Minister plays the “uniformed officers” card over a customs body only militarised in 2015 by… Peter Dutton.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Andrew Forrest’s Chinese ambush of Hunt denounced ($)
Australian intelligence officials have no evidence of Wuhan lab link to coronavirus
Queensland jobs boost as $50 million injected into 220 projects nationwide ($)
Former Myer boss Richard Umbers predicts more pain ahead for Australian retail
Queensland researchers’ important breakthrough in search for vaccine
Anger rises as home’s death toll hits 12 with more expected to die ($)
Taskforce investigating ‘potential future use’ of disposable protective equipment
Trump v Fox News: why the president is furious at the conservative network
THE COMMENTARIAT
Eden-Monaro a bushfire byelection the PM doesn’t need — Niki Savva (The Australian): “There is no threat at all to Morrison, but voters could send a message anyway. Mike Kelly won Eden-Monaro by less than 1% last year. With a bit more money and attention, the Liberal candidate, Fiona Kotvojs, might have won. Alas, resources were poured into nearby Gilmore where Morrison’s hand-picked candidate, Warren Mundine, polarised the party and then lost the seat.”
Five ways Malcolm Turnbull’s memoir gets it wrong — Kevin Rudd (The Sydney Morning Herald): “Wherever I go, foreigners are astounded that Murdoch commands 70% of Australian newspaper circulation. In Queensland, a key electoral battleground, he owns 14 of the 15 daily newspapers. This media monopoly is a cancer on our democracy. Turnbull’s thesis echoes my own: News Corp behaves like a political party in alliance with the Liberal right.”
The ‘terrible moral choice’ of reopening — Rachel Donadio (The Atlantic): “Ever since Emmanuel Macron declared France ‘at war’ with the coronavirus, the entire country has been under home confinement, with residents allowed outside only for urgent needs. So when the government announced a gradual reopening of some businesses and schools starting in May, a deep confusion set in.”
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The Senate committee on COVID-19 will hold a public hearing, to hear from the Department of Social Services, Services Australia, NDIA and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold another hearing as part of the inquiry into targeted sanctions to address human rights abuses.
Australia
Economist Joseph Stiglitz will discuss “Inequality in a Pandemic” with former Treasurer Wayne Swan in The Australia Institute’s webinar series, “Economics of a Pandemic”.
Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews will today announce a $215 million federal manufacturing program.
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-06-01--Worm: 'You have to dominate' says Donald Trump

Good morning , early birds .
Donald Trump has called on a collection of governors to 'dominate ' and arrest protesters and , despite everything , the Morrison government apparently will not rule out rebooting robodebt .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
According to The Sydney Morning Herald ’ s live blog , the attorney for George Floyd ‘ s family is set to release findings from an independent autopsy into Floyd ’ s death , while Donald Trump has called on a collection of governors to “ dominate ” and arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded the White House , a semi-trailer driver was arrested for speeding into a Minneapolis protest , a third man was killed — this time in a shooting with Kentucky police and the National Guard — and even more frankly unbelievable police actions , with some newer examples including : • Las Vegas police just kind of grabbing and dragging a random passer-by ; • Phoenix Police putting ICE holds on three arrested protesters ; and • NYPD union the Sergeants Benevolent Association doxxing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being arrested for protesting , had her arrest information published on Twitter including her home address and ID number .
On the protesters ’ end , The Associate Press reports that at least 4400 people have been arrested for offences ranging from stealing and vandalism to blocking highways , breaking curfew , and peacefully protesting .
In one of the more delightful , still-at-large counterexamples , someone has apparently blocked the Chicago police scanner with the 2007 hit Chocolate Rain .
PS : As Perth Now reports , hundreds of Western Australians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solidarity and in protest of Indigenous deaths in custody .
According to The Guardian , the Morrison government will not rule out rebooting robodebt after putting the option to the solicitor general last year .
This is despite announcing on Friday they would repay 460,000 “ debts ” accrued since 2015 , as well as multiple reports of the scheme ’ s connection with recipient suicides .
The news comes after Scott Morrison expressed “ great regrets ” over the scheme but refused to apologise , with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades-old income-averaging principle “ followed by Labor and Coalition ” rather than the now-unlawful ATO income averaging method the Turnbull government introduced in 2015 .
According to News.com.au , the Morrison government is introducing a homebuyers scheme that will offer grants of around $ 25,000 to build new homes , but in the case of renovations , homebuyers will be required to to match the funding by more than a dollar-for-dollar .
Additionally , the AFR ( $ ) reports that grants will be time-limited and means-tested to “ include upper-middle-income singles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , separately , finally considering an arts package .
Amidst the construction push , the Australian ( $ ) reports that Master Builders Australia , the Australian Industry Group and the Housing Industry Association have sought an array of award changes in a Fair Work submission , including scrapping Saturday penalty rates and cutting casual shifts to as few as two hours .
HOW MANY OWNERS NEED $ 25K ?
As the Grattan Institute ’ s Brendan Coates argues at The Conversation , the homebuyers scheme will invariably mean billions spent on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built next year ; social housing , however , would both demonstrably support construction while tackling homelessness .
NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean has released a plan to ensure 30 % of all new government vehicles are electric or hybrid by 2023 , according to The Daily Telegraph ( $ ) — which , hilariously , positions the state ’ s 2050 net-zero emissions policy as “ hard line ” despite every single state and territory , and 70+ other countries ( minus ‘ Australia ’ ) , adopting it .
PARAMEDIC PROTEST @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is dominated by pinko-lefty-Marxist-antifas , The Sydney Morning Herald reports that state paramedics have begun refusing to bill patients in protest over the Berejiklian government ’ s public sector wage freeze .
Finally , in some moderately good news ( remember that ? )
, The Age reports that a “ secret location in Melbourne ’ s south-east ” is set to house a $ 50 million medicinal cannabis extraction and contract manufacturing plant .
WATCH OUT , COOL DUDES : The plant ’ s location can not be disclosed due to licensing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fences , 24 hour CCTV and a range of other security measures , including a vault where finished products will be stored ” .
• After the majority of Western Australia ’ s regional travel restrictions were lifted on Friday , May 29 , the state government has launched the ‘ Wander out Yonder ’ tourism campaign .
The government has also written to the federal government to permit travel into the Kimberley region from Friday , June 5 .
• Yesterday , Victoria announced that the National Gallery of Victoria , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Victoria and parts of Arts Centre Melbourne will re-open to the public on Saturday , June 27 .
• The Northern Territory government has deferred the Alice Springs Masters Games and Arafura Games until 2022 and 2023 respectively .
• Finally , Tasmania has announced a Treasury review into increasing the state ’ s ‘ buy local ’ policy , currently set at a goal to award 90 % of all government contracts to state businesses by 2022 .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The company that sells sells facial recognition software to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies cloud services to ICE , and attempted to smear a black warehouse worker they fired for industrial action , has joined the resistance .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Australia among global ‘ hot spots ’ as droughts worsen in warming world Nathan Turner did not have coronavirus , Queensland Health confirms , after miner ’ s death prompted widespread testing in Blackwater BGH ’ s threat to pull Virgin bid if three suitors remain ( $ ) Coronavirus : See you in court , border rebels tell Annastacia Palaszczuk ( $ ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks on how to honour Aboriginal people who were imprisoned and died there ( $ ) US Marines ’ deployment to Darwin labelled ’ very low risk ’ to the NT , amid revelations Australia ’ s peak coronavirus response medical team was not consulted before travel authorised ( $ ) Hong Kong police deny application for city ’ s annual Tiananmen Square vigil for the first time in 30 years due to coronavirus Coronavirus update : Spain finally records no daily deaths , WHO reveals impact on healthcare How to make this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Barack Obama ( Medium ) : “ First , the waves of protests across the country represent a genuine and legitimate frustration over a decades-long failure to reform police practices and the broader criminal justice system in the United States .
The overwhelming majority of participants have been peaceful , courageous , responsible , and inspiring .
They deserve our respect and support , not condemnation — something that police in cities like Camden and Flint have commendably understood.
” It ’ s lift-off soon , but can we handle the baggage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The Australian ) : “ Promoters of a Big Australia never give up , irrespective of the circumstances .
Strong economic growth ?
We need more migrants .
Weak economic growth ?
We need more migrants .
The answer is always the same .
What ’ s worse than the constant , self-serving urgings is that these interest groups clearly have the ear of most politicians at all three tiers of government.
” No pokies , no Ho and no Chinese VIPs : Packer ’ s Barangaroo challenge — Elizabeth Knight ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NSW government cemented the near term financial fate of James Packer ’ s Crown casino at Sydney ’ s Barangaroo with the stroke of a pen on Friday when it inked a deal with rival The Star confirming its exclusive casino rights to operate poker machines for 21 years .
Crown ’ s lobbying efforts to alter the terms of its existing agreement that would have banned pokies from Barangaroo had been secretive but determined and abiding.
” • The Senate Committee on COVID-19 will hear from the Department of Health , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Outback Stores CEO Michael Borg .
• The Wheeler Centre will host the Emerging Writers ’ Festival ’ s online program launch for their 2020 festival , ‘ Digital Nostalgia ’ , to run from June 16–23 .
• The Federal Court will hand down a judgment in the class action led by the Brett Cattle Company against the Commonwealth and Senator Joe Ludwig from the 2011 live export ban .

INDEPENDENT AUTOPSY FINDINGS TO BE RELEASED
According to The Sydney Morning Herald’s live blog, the attorney for George Floyd‘s family is set to release findings from an independent autopsy into Floyd’s death, while Donald Trump has called on a collection of governors to “dominate” and arrest protesters.
The news comes after protesters surrounded the White House, a semi-trailer driver was arrested for speeding into a Minneapolis protest, a third man was killed — this time in a shooting with Kentucky police and the National Guard — and even more frankly unbelievable police actions, with some newer examples including:
Las Vegas police just kind of grabbing and dragging a random passer-by;
Phoenix Police putting ICE holds on three arrested protesters; and
NYPD union the Sergeants Benevolent Association doxxing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s daughter Chiara de Blasio, who, after being arrested for protesting, had her arrest information published on Twitter including her home address and ID number.
On the protesters’ end, The Associate Press reports that at least 4400 people have been arrested for offences ranging from stealing and vandalism to blocking highways, breaking curfew, and peacefully protesting. In one of the more delightful, still-at-large counterexamples, someone has apparently blocked the Chicago police scanner with the 2007 hit Chocolate Rain.
PS: As Perth Now reports, hundreds of Western Australians rallied in Perth last night both in solidarity and in protest of Indigenous deaths in custody.
ANOTHER FRANKEN-ROBODEBT SCHEME?
According to The Guardian, the Morrison government will not rule out rebooting robodebt after putting the option to the solicitor general last year. This is despite announcing on Friday they would repay 460,000 “debts” accrued since 2015, as well as multiple reports of the scheme’s connection with recipient suicides.
The news comes after Scott Morrison expressed “great regrets” over the scheme but refused to apologise, with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting that he even blamed the controversy on a decades-old income-averaging principle “followed by Labor and Coalition” rather than the now-unlawful ATO income averaging method the Turnbull government introduced in 2015.
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
HOMEBUYERS SCHEME IS A BIT OF A FIXER UPPER
According to News.com.au, the Morrison government is introducing a homebuyers scheme that will offer grants of around $25,000 to build new homes, but in the case of renovations, homebuyers will be required to to match the funding by more than a dollar-for-dollar.
Additionally, the AFR ($) reports that grants will be time-limited and means-tested to “include upper-middle-income singles and couples”, and that the government is, separately, finally considering an arts package.
Amidst the construction push, the Australian ($) reports that Master Builders Australia, the Australian Industry Group and the Housing Industry Association have sought an array of award changes in a Fair Work submission, including scrapping Saturday penalty rates and cutting casual shifts to as few as two hours.
HOW MANY OWNERS NEED $25K? As the Grattan Institute’s Brendan Coates argues at The Conversation, the homebuyers scheme will invariably mean billions spent on homes that were already going to be built next year; social housing, however, would both demonstrably support construction while tackling homelessness.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
TOGETHER IN ELECTRIC DREAMS
NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean has released a plan to ensure 30% of all new government vehicles are electric or hybrid by 2023, according to The Daily Telegraph ($) — which, hilariously, positions the state’s 2050 net-zero emissions policy as “hard line” despite every single state and territory, and 70+ other countries (minus ‘Australia’), adopting it.
PARAMEDIC PROTEST: In yet more proof that NSW is dominated by pinko-lefty-Marxist-antifas, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that state paramedics have begun refusing to bill patients in protest over the Berejiklian government’s public sector wage freeze.
WHERE THE BLAZES…?
Finally, in some moderately good news (remember that?), The Age reports that a “secret location in Melbourne’s south-east” is set to house a $50 million medicinal cannabis extraction and contract manufacturing plant.
WATCH OUT, COOL DUDES: The plant’s location cannot be disclosed due to licensing requirements but will have “double perimeter fences, 24 hour CCTV and a range of other security measures, including a vault where finished products will be stored”.
STATE WRAP: WA’S ‘WANDER OUT YONDER’ CAMPAIGN
After the majority of Western Australia’s regional travel restrictions were lifted on Friday, May 29, the state government has launched the ‘Wander out Yonder’ tourism campaign. The government has also written to the federal government to permit travel into the Kimberley region from Friday, June 5.
regional travel restrictions were lifted on Friday, May 29, the state government has launched the ‘Wander out Yonder’ tourism campaign. The government has also written to the federal government to permit travel into the Kimberley region from Friday, June 5. Yesterday, Victoria announced that the National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, State Library Victoria and parts of Arts Centre Melbourne will re-open to the public on Saturday, June 27.
announced that the National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, State Library Victoria and parts of Arts Centre Melbourne will re-open to the public on Saturday, June 27. The Northern Territory government has deferred the Alice Springs Masters Games and Arafura Games until 2022 and 2023 respectively.
government has deferred the Alice Springs Masters Games and Arafura Games until 2022 and 2023 respectively. Finally, Tasmania has announced a Treasury review into increasing the state’s ‘buy local’ policy, currently set at a goal to award 90% of all government contracts to state businesses by 2022.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
The inequitable and brutal treatment of Black people in our country must stop. Together we stand in solidarity with the Black community — our employees, customers, and partners — in the fight against systemic racism and injustice. Amazon
The company that sells sells facial recognition software to an indeterminate number of police departments, supplies cloud services to ICE, and attempted to smear a black warehouse worker they fired for industrial action, has joined the resistance.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Australia among global ‘hot spots’ as droughts worsen in warming world
Nathan Turner did not have coronavirus, Queensland Health confirms, after miner’s death prompted widespread testing in Blackwater
BGH’s threat to pull Virgin bid if three suitors remain ($)
AFP officers embroiled in corruption scandal ($)
‘Through the roof’: Private patients face longer wait times for elective surgery
Coronavirus: See you in court, border rebels tell Annastacia Palaszczuk ($)
Rottnest Island’s traditional owners begin talks on how to honour Aboriginal people who were imprisoned and died there ($)
US Marines’ deployment to Darwin labelled ’very low risk’ to the NT, amid revelations Australia’s peak coronavirus response medical team was not consulted before travel authorised ($)
Hong Kong police deny application for city’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil for the first time in 30 years due to coronavirus
Coronavirus update: Spain finally records no daily deaths, WHO reveals impact on healthcare
THE COMMENTARIAT
How to make this moment the turning point for real change — Barack Obama (Medium): “First, the waves of protests across the country represent a genuine and legitimate frustration over a decades-long failure to reform police practices and the broader criminal justice system in the United States. The overwhelming majority of participants have been peaceful, courageous, responsible, and inspiring. They deserve our respect and support, not condemnation — something that police in cities like Camden and Flint have commendably understood.”
It’s lift-off soon, but can we handle the baggage? ($) — Judith Sloan (The Australian): “Promoters of a Big Australia never give up, irrespective of the circumstances. Strong economic growth? We need more migrants. Weak economic growth? We need more migrants. The answer is always the same. What’s worse than the constant, self-serving urgings is that these interest groups clearly have the ear of most politicians at all three tiers of government.”
No pokies, no Ho and no Chinese VIPs: Packer’s Barangaroo challenge — Elizabeth Knight (The Sydney Morning Herald): “The NSW government cemented the near term financial fate of James Packer’s Crown casino at Sydney’s Barangaroo with the stroke of a pen on Friday when it inked a deal with rival The Star confirming its exclusive casino rights to operate poker machines for 21 years. Crown’s lobbying efforts to alter the terms of its existing agreement that would have banned pokies from Barangaroo had been secretive but determined and abiding.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The Senate Committee on COVID-19 will hear from the Department of Health, Social Services, National Indigenous Australians Agency, and Outback Stores CEO Michael Borg.
Melbourne
The Wheeler Centre will host the Emerging Writers’ Festival’s online program launch for their 2020 festival, ‘Digital Nostalgia’, to run from June 16–23.
Sydney


crikey--2020-05-31--Vice Australia axes local jobs in latest media cutbacks

At its height , Vice Australia employed about 50 staff .
Today its news operations are one writer and one @ @ @ @ @ gutting what remained of its local operation .
It 's the latest media casualty of @ @ @ @ @ the might of the big tech platforms .
Three of the company ’ s five @ @ @ @ @ last week , leaving just one editor and one writer to focus on news .
@ @ @ @ @ Australia employed about 50 staff who were spread across news and video teams ; client @ @ @ @ @ its creative agency Virtue , which produced branded content .
The company ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ Vice declined to renew its lease .
“ That would be the end of Vice @ @ @ @ @ former staff member told Crikey .

Vice Australia is gutting what remained of its local operation. It’s the latest media casualty of both the coronavirus pandemic and the might of the big tech platforms.
Three of the company’s five local journalists were let go last week, leaving just one editor and one writer to focus on news. At its height, Vice Australia employed about 50 staff who were spread across news and video teams; client services and sales; and its creative agency Virtue, which produced branded content.
The company’s office in Melbourne is closing after Vice declined to renew its lease. “That would be the end of Vice Australia effectively,” one former staff member told Crikey.


crikey--2020-04-05--Worm: A cautious case for hope

Worm: A cautious case for hope

Good morning , early birds .
As social distancing , testing and tracing measures begin to work Down Under , Morrison 's popularity is rising , and parliament 's back , baby .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
ARE WE FLATTENING THE CURVE ?
As Australia reconciles with a truly nightmarish March , and prepares for an even longer six to twelve months , it ’ s important to note that social distancing , testing and tracing measures are beginning to work : new cases hit just 139 in the 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a massive improvement from a six-day period of between 350-400 new cases in late March .
Yesterday , chief medical officer Brendan Murphy expressed confidence that the country has and can continue to flatten the curve , while Financial Times data journalist John Burn-Murdoch notes , in his latest global comparison graph , Australia is “ a rare example of an Anglophone country on a gentle trajectory ” .
The challenge , unfortunately , will be keeping a version of all this up for the rest of the year .
The Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott Morrison has seen a surge in both personal approval — jumping 11 Newspoll points in three weeks to lead Labor leader Anthony Albanese 53 to 29 — and seemingly universal support for the JobKeeper package .
WHAT OF THE WORLD ?
The approval bump comes after The Guardian noted other global leaders saw a “ rally around the flag ” effect .
This has included , despite ignoring his problem for well over a month , Donald Trump , although NBC notes that he enjoyed a much smaller bump relative to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass its JobKeeper package this Wednesday , the ABC reports that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has announced charities will only need a 15 % revenue loss , rather than the 30 % for business , in order to claim the $ 1,500-a-fortnight wage subsidy .
According to The Age , Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has also called on state governments to exempt telcos , postal services and media organisations from travel restrictions during the shutdown .
Finally , The Sydney Morning Herald reports that parliament is set to authorise at least one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitor the Morrison government ’ s decisions amidst the pandemic , by questioning ministers and officials over community shutdowns , financial assistance , and more .
WHAT ABOUT THE HOMELESS ?
Last Friday , the Centre for Social Impact released its second version of “ Homelessness and COVID-19 ” , an explainer of the risks facing people experiencing , and at risk of , homelessness amid the pandemic , as well as recommendations for new and existing challenges .
The report recognises some welcome state and federal progress on the issue — including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Western Australia ’ s “ Hotels With Heart ” pilot program , where over 20 people sleeping rough have moved into Perth ’ s Pan Pacific hotel — but points to significant gaps , including : • People on temporary and expired visas — specifically international students and refugees and asylum seekers — who are excluded from both JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments ; • Lack of targeted support for Indigenous people currently experiencing homelessness , and young people at increased risk amid the spike in family violence and school shutdowns ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which does not yet include rental relief and , as recent reports have demonstrated , is not absolute and does not stop threats of ultimate eviction once the six months are up .
Finally , after 11 passengers from the Ruby Princess died — more than 30 % of Austalia ’ s total deaths and easily our single largest source of infection — The Guardian reports that NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller has announced a criminal investigation into the fiasco .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
Because not even a global pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbours , the New Zealand prime minister had to handle the Coalition ’ s “ time to go home ” advice for temporary visa holders .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Coronavirus poses higher risk for those with diabetes and heart disease — not just older Australians ‘ Very useful resource ’ : How Australia could utilise people with coronavirus immunity Coronavirus may force Victorian Year 12s to wait until next year to get ATAR , Daniel Andrews says 100 bosses in five years : How NRL clubs have squandered millions Craig Foster rallying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in volunteer response ‘ This is going to be our Pearl Harbour , our 9/11 ’ : US Surgeon General Bracing for coronavirus deaths , Ukrainian city digs more than 600 new graves PM prepares nation to live with the virus ( $ ) — Phillip Coorey ( The Australian Financial Review ) : “ The government will on Tuesday release the latest modelling of how the virus outbreak may play out , which is underpinning its decision-making .
As Morrison alluded to on Friday , it will be a better outlook than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before we all began social distancing , and which showed up to 4 million Australians could be infected over the next six months.
” Mobile phone tracking should be used to stop virus — Editorial ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ It is difficult to think of anyone more irresponsible at this time of coronavirus crisis than those people who returned from a skiing trip to Colorado with COVID-19 a couple of weeks ago and then insouciantly wandered around Melbourne , infecting dozens of people .
Yet Prime Minister Scott Morrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to adopt a technology — based on mobile phone apps widely used in other countries such as Taiwan and Singapore — which could have kept track of people who are in isolation but who refuse to do the right thing.
” Time to ponder eternity as daylight saving clocks off — Catherine McGregor ( The Australian ) : “ I have no expertise in economics or epidemics .
I have no responsibility for the lives of my fellow Australians beyond washing my hands and not sneezing and spluttering on others during my forays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in isolation ?
Write .
”

ARE WE FLATTENING THE CURVE?
As Australia reconciles with a truly nightmarish March, and prepares for an even longer six to twelve months, it’s important to note that social distancing, testing and tracing measures are beginning to work: new cases hit just 139 in the 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, a massive improvement from a six-day period of between 350-400 new cases in late March.
Yesterday, chief medical officer Brendan Murphy expressed confidence that the country has and can continue to flatten the curve, while Financial Times data journalist John Burn-Murdoch notes, in his latest global comparison graph, Australia is “a rare example of an Anglophone country on a gentle trajectory”.
The challenge, unfortunately, will be keeping a version of all this up for the rest of the year.
MORRISON’S POPULARITY GROWS
The Australian ($) reports that Prime Minister Scott Morrison has seen a surge in both personal approval — jumping 11 Newspoll points in three weeks to lead Labor leader Anthony Albanese 53 to 29 — and seemingly universal support for the JobKeeper package.
WHAT OF THE WORLD? The approval bump comes after The Guardian noted other global leaders saw a “rally around the flag” effect. This has included, despite ignoring his problem for well over a month, Donald Trump, although NBC notes that he enjoyed a much smaller bump relative to other leaders.
PARLIAMENT’S BACK, BABY
As the federal government readies to pass its JobKeeper package this Wednesday, the ABC reports that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has announced charities will only need a 15% revenue loss, rather than the 30% for business, in order to claim the $1,500-a-fortnight wage subsidy.
According to The Age, Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has also called on state governments to exempt telcos, postal services and media organisations from travel restrictions during the shutdown.
Finally, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that parliament is set to authorise at least one, and possibly two, new committees to monitor the Morrison government’s decisions amidst the pandemic, by questioning ministers and officials over community shutdowns, financial assistance, and more.
Get Crikey FREE to your inbox every weekday morning with the Crikey Worm. Email Sign up By subscribing you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
WHAT ABOUT THE HOMELESS?
Last Friday, the Centre for Social Impact released its second version of “Homelessness and COVID-19”, an explainer of the risks facing people experiencing, and at risk of, homelessness amid the pandemic, as well as recommendations for new and existing challenges.
The report recognises some welcome state and federal progress on the issue — including stimulus measures, the six-month eviction moratorium, and Western Australia’s “Hotels With Heart” pilot program, where over 20 people sleeping rough have moved into Perth’s Pan Pacific hotel — but points to significant gaps, including:
People on temporary and expired visas — specifically international students and refugees and asylum seekers — who are excluded from both JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments;
Lack of targeted support for Indigenous people currently experiencing homelessness, and young people at increased risk amid the spike in family violence and school shutdowns; and
Loopholes to the eviction moratorium, which does not yet include rental relief and, as recent reports have demonstrated, is not absolute and does not stop threats of ultimate eviction once the six months are up.
DETHRONING THE RUBY PRINCESS
Finally, after 11 passengers from the Ruby Princess died — more than 30% of Austalia’s total deaths and easily our single largest source of infection — The Guardian reports that NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller has announced a criminal investigation into the fiasco.
PS: Is regicide still a thing?
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
What [Alan Tudge would] do well to remember is that if they wish for Australia to be in a position to gear up in the aftermath of the outbreak, they now need a workforce to do that. New Zealanders make up that workforce. Jacinda Ardern
Because not even a global pandemic can stop Australia from pissing off our neighbours, the New Zealand prime minister had to handle the Coalition’s “time to go home” advice for temporary visa holders.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Coronavirus poses higher risk for those with diabetes and heart disease — not just older Australians
‘Very useful resource’: How Australia could utilise people with coronavirus immunity
Inquiry into Crown Casino on ice
‘Dissatisfied’ with interviewing politicians, Cassidy changes tack
Coronavirus may force Victorian Year 12s to wait until next year to get ATAR, Daniel Andrews says
100 bosses in five years: How NRL clubs have squandered millions
Craig Foster rallying sport to ‘play for lives’ in volunteer response
‘This is going to be our Pearl Harbour, our 9/11’: US Surgeon General
Bracing for coronavirus deaths, Ukrainian city digs more than 600 new graves
Elon Musk promised ventilators. These are BPAP machines.
THE COMMENTARIAT
PM prepares nation to live with the virus ($) — Phillip Coorey (The Australian Financial Review): “The government will on Tuesday release the latest modelling of how the virus outbreak may play out, which is underpinning its decision-making. As Morrison alluded to on Friday, it will be a better outlook than that he released on March 15, before we all began social distancing, and which showed up to 4 million Australians could be infected over the next six months.”
Mobile phone tracking should be used to stop virus — Editorial (The Sydney Morning Herald): “It is difficult to think of anyone more irresponsible at this time of coronavirus crisis than those people who returned from a skiing trip to Colorado with COVID-19 a couple of weeks ago and then insouciantly wandered around Melbourne, infecting dozens of people. Yet Prime Minister Scott Morrison has decided that he is not ready to adopt a technology — based on mobile phone apps widely used in other countries such as Taiwan and Singapore — which could have kept track of people who are in isolation but who refuse to do the right thing.”
Time to ponder eternity as daylight saving clocks off — Catherine McGregor (The Australian): “I have no expertise in economics or epidemics. I have no responsibility for the lives of my fellow Australians beyond washing my hands and not sneezing and spluttering on others during my forays into supermarkets. What do writers do in isolation? Write.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-04-07--Worm: Prison deaths, JobKeeper package & stage 4?

Good morning , early birds .
Nine people have died from COVID-19 across UK prisons , including one inmate who was being held on a technicality , and parliament will today vote through the $ 130 billion JobKeeper package .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Nine people have died from COVID-19 across UK prisons , the BBC reports , including an inmate of Belmarsh Prison which , currently , houses Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange .
Reporter Danny Shaw further alleges that official advice recommends releasing 15,000 prisoners after 107 people tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their part , Wikileaks has been quick to point out that Assange ’ s application for bail over ‘ high risk ’ safety concerns was dismissed in mid-March .
DIED FROM A TECHNICALITY : The news comes after New York ’ s Rikers Island recorded its first fatality : Michael Tyson , 53 , who The City reports had been jailed on a technicality as he awaited hearings for a parole violation .
LABOR TO PUSH FOR SENATE COMMITTEE AHEAD OF $ 130B VOTE As parliament prepares to vote through the $ 130 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Labor leader Anthony Albanese is confident the upper house will establish a Senate select committee to scrutinise the spending .
As well as the committee — which , according to polling from the Australia Institute , has support of two-thirds of Australians ( including our own Guy Rundle ) — Labor will push for increased support for casuals .
However Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter , as AAP explains in an expanded rundown of ACTU-Coalition employment concessions , remains firm on locking out any casuals under 12 months ’ service .
Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doherty Institute , although , as the ABC reports , the three-page document is only based on international data and — like all modelling — is purely theoretical .
Nonetheless , the report indicates that isolation , quarantine and social distancing can keep the ‘ curve ’ for ICU beds below a peak of 5,000 , which is well below Australia ’ s total capacity of 7,000 .
Additionally , of Australia ’ s current 5,844 Australian cases , less than 100 are in intensive care and less than 40 on ventilators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sydney Morning Herald , the Doherty Institute released two new supportive models yesterday — on Australia and the Asia Pacific , respectively — that warn of an ‘ explosive resurgence ’ if current measures are relaxed .
No pressure , then .
CLEARLY MAKING IT UP AS WE GO According to The Age , Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has flagged that any future ‘ stage four ’ measures could shut down existing industries — such as racing and construction — even as he announced that up to a million Victorian schoolchildren will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term .
Conversely , The Daily Telegraph ( $ ) reports that the Berejiklian government is considering gradually winding back small business restrictions from as early as May .
In Queensland , The Courier-Mail ( $ ) reports that families will have to wait another week to find out whether schools will reopen for term two .
WHO ’ S TO SAY WHEN IT ENDS : While yes , we all want out ASAP , it ’ s worth checking out the World Health Organisation ’ s new guidelines for assessing when regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as how to prepare for and adapt to any changes .
See also : that ‘ explosive resurgence ’ thing .
Even as America ’ s death toll jumps to 11,830 — New York , the new epicentre , saw a daily record of 731 deaths on Monday— US Republicans have forced the state of Wisconsin to proceed with Tuesday ’ s primary and judicial election .
As The New Yorker ’ s Intelligencer reports , state Republicans successfully appealed an emergency order from Democrat governor Tony Evers at the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , the similarly Republican-controlled US Supreme Court quashed a federal district judge ’ s attempt to allow voters until after the Tuesday deadline to post delayed absentee ballots .
VOTING AMIDST A CRISIS : After election officials last week shut all but five of Milwaukee ’ s 180 voting booths , some voters put the current wait time at three hours .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The head of the Catholic Church gets into subtweeting and repaid in kind by far less subtle Twitter users .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine without tests Coronavirus in the Kimberley : West Australian Country Health Service deny Halls Creek health worker saw Aboriginal patients as fears mount over COVID-19 JobKeeper subsidy could be the coronavirus reality for some in professional sport ICU beds doubled to more than 1000 to cope with COVID-19 NT teachers in remote communities to be offered $ 500 incentives to stay during school holidays Most people on Antarctica cruise ship have coronavirus US outlines its corruption allegations surrounding 2022 World Cup in Qatar How the right is responding to the coronavirus : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jason Wilson ( The Guardian ) : “ Crises have a habit of accelerating changes that were already in train .
Some of the trends being pushed along by the pandemic are benign , or neutral , like the evolution of better protocols around remote work and telecommuting.
” Love George Pell or loathe him , we should all be grateful that justice has been delivered — Frank Brennan ( The Australian ) : “ Some Australians , including many victims of child sexual abuse , revile George Pell .
Others hold him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups will have their minds changed about Cardinal Pell , regardless of what any court might determine.
” Coronavirus : as culture moves online , regional organisations need help bridging the digital divide — Indigo Holcombe-James ( The Conversation ) : “ Museums , galleries and artist collectives around the world are shutting their doors and moving online in response to coronavirus .
But engaging with audiences online requires access , skills and investment .
”

COVID-19 DEATH IN ASSANGE’S PRISON
Nine people have died from COVID-19 across UK prisons, the BBC reports, including an inmate of Belmarsh Prison which, currently, houses Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange.
Reporter Danny Shaw further alleges that official advice recommends releasing 15,000 prisoners after 107 people tested positive in English and Welsh prisons. For their part, Wikileaks has been quick to point out that Assange’s application for bail over ‘high risk’ safety concerns was dismissed in mid-March.
DIED FROM A TECHNICALITY: The news comes after New York’s Rikers Island recorded its first fatality: Michael Tyson, 53, who The City reports had been jailed on a technicality as he awaited hearings for a parole violation.
LABOR TO PUSH FOR SENATE COMMITTEE AHEAD OF $130B VOTE
As parliament prepares to vote through the $130 billion JobKeeper package today, AAP reports that Labor leader Anthony Albanese is confident the upper house will establish a Senate select committee to scrutinise the spending.
As well as the committee — which, according to polling from the Australia Institute, has support of two-thirds of Australians (including our own Guy Rundle) — Labor will push for increased support for casuals.
However Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter, as AAP explains in an expanded rundown of ACTU-Coalition employment concessions, remains firm on locking out any casuals under 12 months’ service.
ICU MODELLING LANDS, KINDA WITH A THUD
Scott Morrison has released long-awaited modelling by the Doherty Institute, although, as the ABC reports, the three-page document is only based on international data and — like all modelling — is purely theoretical.
Nonetheless, the report indicates that isolation, quarantine and social distancing can keep the ‘curve’ for ICU beds below a peak of 5,000, which is well below Australia’s total capacity of 7,000. Additionally, of Australia’s current 5,844 Australian cases, less than 100 are in intensive care and less than 40 on ventilators.
NEVER ENOUGH MODELS: According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Doherty Institute released two new supportive models yesterday — on Australia and the Asia Pacific, respectively — that warn of an ‘explosive resurgence’ if current measures are relaxed. No pressure, then.
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CLEARLY MAKING IT UP AS WE GO
According to The Age, Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has flagged that any future ‘stage four’ measures could shut down existing industries — such as racing and construction — even as he announced that up to a million Victorian schoolchildren will not attend schools for at least the next term.
Conversely, The Daily Telegraph ($) reports that the Berejiklian government is considering gradually winding back small business restrictions from as early as May. In Queensland, The Courier-Mail ($) reports that families will have to wait another week to find out whether schools will reopen for term two.
WHO’S TO SAY WHEN IT ENDS: While yes, we all want out ASAP, it’s worth checking out the World Health Organisation’s new guidelines for assessing when regions could rollback any measures, as well as how to prepare for and adapt to any changes. See also: that ‘explosive resurgence’ thing.
REPUBLICANS FORCE WISCONSIN TO VOTE
Even as America’s death toll jumps to 11,830 — New York, the new epicentre, saw a daily record of 731 deaths on Monday— US Republicans have forced the state of Wisconsin to proceed with Tuesday’s primary and judicial election.
As The New Yorker’s Intelligencer reports, state Republicans successfully appealed an emergency order from Democrat governor Tony Evers at the state’s conservative-held Supreme Court on Monday. Hours later, the similarly Republican-controlled US Supreme Court quashed a federal district judge’s attempt to allow voters until after the Tuesday deadline to post delayed absentee ballots.
VOTING AMIDST A CRISIS: After election officials last week shut all but five of Milwaukee’s 180 voting booths, some voters put the current wait time at three hours.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
In these days of #Lent, we’ve been witnessing the persecution that Jesus underwent and how He was judged ferociously, even though He was innocent. Let us #PrayTogether today for all those persons who suffer due to an unjust sentence because of someone had it in for them. Pope Francis
The head of the Catholic Church gets into subtweeting and repaid in kind by far less subtle Twitter users.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Infected Ruby Princess passengers transmit virus to 19 people ashore
Coronavirus: Aussie virus patients let out of quarantine without tests
Coronavirus in the Kimberley: West Australian Country Health Service deny Halls Creek health worker saw Aboriginal patients as fears mount over COVID-19
JobKeeper subsidy could be the coronavirus reality for some in professional sport
ICU beds doubled to more than 1000 to cope with COVID-19
NT teachers in remote communities to be offered $500 incentives to stay during school holidays
Most people on Antarctica cruise ship have coronavirus
Trump’s press secretary leaves post without ever holding a press briefing
Norway relaxes coronavirus restrictions, but event ban continues
US outlines its corruption allegations surrounding 2022 World Cup in Qatar
THE COMMENTARIAT
How the right is responding to the coronavirus: denial, realism or dangerous contrarianism — Jason Wilson (The Guardian): “Crises have a habit of accelerating changes that were already in train. Some of the trends being pushed along by the pandemic are benign, or neutral, like the evolution of better protocols around remote work and telecommuting.”
Love George Pell or loathe him, we should all be grateful that justice has been delivered — Frank Brennan (The Australian): “Some Australians, including many victims of child sexual abuse, revile George Pell. Others hold him in high esteem. Neither of these groups will have their minds changed about Cardinal Pell, regardless of what any court might determine.”
Coronavirus: as culture moves online, regional organisations need help bridging the digital divide — Indigo Holcombe-James (The Conversation): “Museums, galleries and artist collectives around the world are shutting their doors and moving online in response to coronavirus. But engaging with audiences online requires access, skills and investment.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE


crikey--2020-06-07--Australia shouldn't expect another free ride from China

China provided crucial support to Australia after the 2008 global financial crisis .
Today , they must look after themselves @ @ @ @ @ been on China 's new security laws for Hong Kong , something has gone by @ @ @ @ @ Li Keqiang has decided to set no GDP ( growth ) targets for the first @ @ @ @ @ targets are usually something of mantra for China ’ s ruling Communist Party ( CCP @ @ @ @ @ of the country ’ s ever-increasing prosperity .
They have also underpinned Australia 's economy @ @ @ @ @ , caused the CCP to dramatically lock down China .
This shut down an already @ @ @ @ @ by the trade war with the US .
As the virus spread across the globe @ @ @ @ @ economy has also been smashed .

While all eyes have been on China’s new security laws for Hong Kong, something has gone by relatively unnoticed. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has decided to set no GDP (growth) targets for the first time since 1994.
The targets are usually something of mantra for China’s ruling Communist Party (CCP) — a neat summary of the country’s ever-increasing prosperity. They have also underpinned Australia’s economy.
COVID-19, of course, caused the CCP to dramatically lock down China. This shut down an already slowing economy, further buffeted by the trade war with the US. As the virus spread across the globe, the already precarious global economy has also been smashed.


crikey--2020-04-03--Nothing to hide? Then why is Carnival dodging questions about the Ruby Princess

The owners of the Ruby Princess refuse to answer key questions about the ship 's role in hastening the spread of COVID-19 in Australia .
It was only a fortnight ago that the Ruby Princess docked in Sydney , disgorging its 2700 passengers in an act of collective negligence that has left six elderly passengers dead , hundreds infected and its 1100 crew members , many drawn from poor parts of Asia , at serious risk in a worsening humanitarian crisis playing out off the coast of NSW .
The Ruby Princess is not the only cruise ship involved , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ egregious case .
The ship ’ s owners , Carnival , are the leaders of a glam , money-spinning industry which goes to the heart of what matters in NSW and parts beyond : ever-escalating tourist numbers and tourist dollars , pumping up local businesses , hotel chains , restaurants , bus lines , produce markets , you name it .
But the cosiest of relationships , between the cruise industry and government , has come crashing down — yet another victim of the relentless killer virus .
NSW has officially turned on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Carnival .
It happened first in the form of the suddenly very powerful NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller , a character who seems more at home fishing with mates and a tinnie than quaffing champers on the top deck .
Fuller is now leading an inquiry into how the Ruby Princess debacle happened .
Asked by 7.30 ‘ s Leigh Sales if he would be investigating the Australian Border Force and NSW Health , Fuller pointed out that the first suspect would be the Ruby Princess itself , and what the captain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health authorities about the state of the passengers on board .
“ I will go back and look at the 000 calls and the calls from the actual ship itself , to try and get a feeling for what information was provided at the time , ” he told Sales .
“ I think that ’ s an important starting point : what information was provided to the New South Wales government or the federal government.
” Earlier NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian had raised the stakes on the Ruby Princess ’ management , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case ” that the ship ’ s crew had given NSW Health incorrect information .
“ We relied on information from the ship , ” the premier asserted , in defence of her health bureaucrats .
So from two , the number of suspects has grown to three , with Carnival now very much in the frame .
Inq has been asking Carnival for well over a week to answer the simple question as to whether or not it gave full information to authorities about the health of its passengers and crew .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ why that would be a reasonable question : • The company earlier incurred huge cost and inconvenience when the Diamond Princess was placed in lockdown off the coast of Japan and forced to look after the needs of thousands of passengers and crew .
A repeat version of that had just occurred off the coast of the USA on another Carnival ship • The share price of Carnival ’ s US parent company had plummeted as a result of the Diamond Princess crisis • Health information from the ship was self-reported , meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the company would report the full story , in all its detail — a potential conflict of interest which might stop the truth emerging • By March 19 , when the Ruby Princess docked , ships around the world had been affected by the coronavirus and had been turned away from ports .
In short , it would be cheaper and better for Carnival to get the passengers off the ship .
Carnival has not answered any of these questions .
Instead the company has flicked the switch to crisis management 101 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials , who have their own very serious questions to answer , have at least fronted the media .
Not so Carnival .
It has used a company video message to assure passengers that it has done all the right things — a technique which allows it to state its case without being questioned .
Yesterday the president of Carnival Australia and P & O Cruises Australia , Sture Myrmell , was at it again .
In a two-minute video Myrmell vented about a police order to force P & O ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of an operation to move cruise ships on from the NSW coast , despite Sydney being the ship ’ s home port and despite there being no confirmed COVID-19 cases on board .
Seemingly oblivious to the wider damage brought by the rest of the Carnival empire through the Ruby Princess debacle , Myrmell argued that this was “ a terrible blow ” for a “ vital part of the tourism sector.
” The brand had been “ the backbone for cruising in Australia , taking half a million Aussies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ bitterly disappointing ” to see the industry “ demonised ” during the pandemic .
“ This is not only disappointing to us , but also to all the Australian ’ s whose livelihoods depend on cruising , ” he objected .
Boiling it down , here was the face of Australia ’ s biggest and most influential cruise company laying it on the line : this is how you treat us , after all we ’ ve done for you .
As far as lack of awareness goes , Myrmell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V ’ Landys that the federal government needed to stump up a fortune to save the sport because “ an Australia without rugby league is not Australia ” .
“ The government has to assist us in this crisis because it is not of our own doing , ” he asserted .
That outburst , coincidentally , was also just over a fortnight ago , as the Ruby Princess was bearing down on Sydney and being asked to declare the true position about the health of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in its wake , but perhaps there might be something to be grateful for if it also destroys the pervading sense of entitlement that has infected the biggest businesses in the land — studded with executives drawing bloated salaries , impervious to the reality we now confront .
Oh and by the way , it appears that P & O Cruises ( Australia ) doesn ’ t pay tax in Australia .
Despite its name , the business pays UK tonnage tax and according to Carnival Corporation & plc ’ s 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Australian corporation tax ” by virtue of the UK/Australian income tax treaty .

It was only a fortnight ago that the Ruby Princess docked in Sydney, disgorging its 2700 passengers in an act of collective negligence that has left six elderly passengers dead, hundreds infected and its 1100 crew members, many drawn from poor parts of Asia, at serious risk in a worsening humanitarian crisis playing out off the coast of NSW.
The Ruby Princess is not the only cruise ship involved, but it is by far the most egregious case. The ship’s owners, Carnival, are the leaders of a glam, money-spinning industry which goes to the heart of what matters in NSW and parts beyond: ever-escalating tourist numbers and tourist dollars, pumping up local businesses, hotel chains, restaurants, bus lines, produce markets, you name it.
But the cosiest of relationships, between the cruise industry and government, has come crashing down — yet another victim of the relentless killer virus. NSW has officially turned on the Ruby Princess and, by extension, Carnival.


crikey--2020-06-08--What the world (and the right) can learn from Sweden's COVID catastrophe

Sweden 's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic has proved that what 's best for public health really is what 's @ @ @ @ @ If anything has typified the transition of the right from being market-based capitalism folk to @ @ @ @ @ their rabid support of Sweden ’ s `` herd immunity '' response to COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ , led by chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell , ignored popular wisdom and allowed residents to @ @ @ @ @ Many have recently criticised Sweden for its high death toll , but that misses the @ @ @ @ @ s per-capita fatality rate is far higher than its neighbours ( at 450 deaths per @ @ @ @ @ 58 for Finland and 44 for Norway ) , Sweden ’ s death toll is @ @ @ @ @ -- a fraction of the UK ( which did implement a lock down ) .

A cautionary tale
If anything has typified the transition of the right from being market-based capitalism folk to warmongering anti-abortionists, it is their rabid support of Sweden’s “herd immunity” response to COVID-19.
The near-socialist, fun-loving Swedes, led by chief epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, ignored popular wisdom and allowed residents to largely avoid locking down.
Many have recently criticised Sweden for its high death toll, but that misses the point. While Sweden’s per-capita fatality rate is far higher than its neighbours (at 450 deaths per million people, compared to 58 for Finland and 44 for Norway), Sweden’s death toll is still relatively low at 4639 — a fraction of the UK (which did implement a lock down).


crikey--2020-06-17--Virus Watch: Coronavirus gets back into New Zealand

New Zealand is no longer coronavirus-free , plus more of the latest COVID-19 news .
New Zealand has recorded two @ @ @ @ @ after a brief stint of being virus-free .
An anti-inflammatory drug may save us all @ @ @ @ @ prevention is the best method so here 's how to flush the toilet .
A @ @ @ @ @ steroid cut deaths by a third in COVID-19 patients on ventilators , the University of @ @ @ @ @ found -- though , of course , we ’ ve been burned by hopeful headlines @ @ @ @ @ however , was a controlled experiment .
2104 were patients given a low dose of @ @ @ @ @ to 4321 patients who received usual care .

New Zealand has recorded two new imported cases of COVID-19 after a brief stint of being virus-free. An anti-inflammatory drug may save us all. But as always, prevention is the best method so here’s how to flush the toilet.
Could a common steroid save the day?
A common, cheap and widely-available steroid cut deaths by a third in COVID-19 patients on ventilators, the University of Oxford in the UK has found — though, of course, we’ve been burned by hopeful headlines before.
This study, however, was a controlled experiment. 2104 were patients given a low dose of dexamethasone and their results compared to 4321 patients who received usual care.