crikey--2020-05-14--Coronavirus | When will bars and restaurants open again in Australia?

When will bars and restaurants be opening again ?
For those craving a Saturday night drink or Sunday brunch , here is the latest update .
When will bars and restaurants open again in Australia ?
It ’ s been weeks since we went out and sat in a restaurant for dinner , or attended a cocktail bar .
At this point , a lot of us are probably wondering if we still know how to be human “ out there ” .
As the federal government ’ s three-stage roadmap to recovery has been laid out , we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be opening shop properly until stage three .
In saying that , this roadmap to recovery is a copy and paste document and the premiers and chief minister have the right to make their own decisions .
At this point , restaurants , cafes , pubs and clubs are still considering how they will open , while others are beginning to dip the toes in , under new limiting circumstances .
Here is what we know about when bars and restaurants will open again across Australia .
Restaurants and cafes , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attached to restaurants , will be opening for 10 patrons at a time in NSW from today , May 15 .
Since March , restaurants and cafes have been allowed to operate on a takeaway-only basis .
Many of these businesses have had to shut down completely due to the coronavirus lockdown and the restrictions attached to it .
While restaurants and bars are currently opening back up , social distancing guidelines need to remain in place .
This means patrons will need to maintain a 1.5-metre distance from others visiting these establishments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operate on a takeaway basis in Victoria , but a definitive date has not yet been set for restaurants , pubs and clubs to re-open their doors for dine-in patrons .
In his latest announcement , Premier Daniel Andrews said Victorians are now allowed to visit family and friends in limited numbers , but said : “ It is not an invitation to be having a dinner party at every house every night , we have to use our common sense .
We have to be proportionate , recognise that this is far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing guidelines will be announced in June but there are no certainties around when restaurants , pubs and clubs will fully re-open in Victoria .
From today , May 15 , Queenslanders will be allowed to attend restaurants and cafes in groups of up to 10 people .
From June , residents of Queensland will be allowed to dine in at restaurants , clubs and pubs in groups of up to 20 people , if there is a ‘ COVID safe plan ’ in place and safe social distancing is practised .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars , community clubs and casinos will be able to seat 20 patrons at a time .
The four-square-metre rule will apply here , and the 20 patrons allowed to attend will include those sitting indoors and outdoors , as well as staff .
From May 18 , restaurants and cafes , including bars that are attached to hotels , will be allowed to open for 10 patrons at a time , with strict social distancing in place .
From June 8 , restaurants and restaurants with pubs are expected to open their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From June 8 , other recreational businesses and services such as gyms , cinemas , art galleries and museums are also expected to open their doors to 10 patrons at a time .
From May 16 , cafes and restaurants will be able to seat 10 patrons at a time .
Currently , there is no details about when pubs or clubs will open in the Australian Capital Territory .
From May 15 , restaurants , clubs , pubs and cafes are allowed to open their doors to an unlimited number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place ) for a maximum of two hours per visit to each establishment .

When will bars and restaurants open again in Australia?
It’s been weeks since we went out and sat in a restaurant for dinner, or attended a cocktail bar. At this point, a lot of us are probably wondering if we still know how to be human “out there”.
As the federal government’s three-stage roadmap to recovery has been laid out, we know the majority of states and territories will not be opening shop properly until stage three. In saying that, this roadmap to recovery is a copy and paste document and the premiers and chief minister have the right to make their own decisions.


crikey--2020-05-14--Scale of jobs collapse revealed as calls for more stimulus ramp up in US

The ABS has revealed 2.7 million Australians have had their jobs affected by the pandemic , with 900,000 losing their jobs completely and 1.8 million losing hours or being stood down .
Meanwhile , in the US , the economic debate is increasingly centred around the need for more stimulus .
The first hard evidence of the impact on employment of the pandemic lockdown has been unveiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics ( ABS ) this morning in the jobs data for April .
Unemployment soared from 5.2 % to 6.2 % in the month in seasonally adjusted terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The participation rate -- which has been a strong point of the Australian jobs market for several years -- also fell dramatically , down 2.4 percentage points to 63.5 % , a level it was last at in 2004 .
According to the ABS , `` had the increase in the number of people who were not in the labour force ( 489,900 ) been a further increase in unemployment ( that is , if they had been actively looking for work and been available to work ) then the number of unemployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people , and an unemployment rate would have increased to around 9.6 % '' .

The first hard evidence of the impact on employment of the pandemic lockdown has been unveiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) this morning in the jobs data for April.
Unemployment soared from 5.2% to 6.2% in the month in seasonally adjusted terms, with employment falling by 594,000. The participation rate — which has been a strong point of the Australian jobs market for several years — also fell dramatically, down 2.4 percentage points to 63.5%, a level it was last at in 2004.
According to the ABS, “had the increase in the number of people who were not in the labour force (489,900) been a further increase in unemployment (that is, if they had been actively looking for work and been available to work) then the number of unemployed people would have increased to around 1.3 million people, and an unemployment rate would have increased to around 9.6%”.


crikey--2020-02-24--Worm: 'Journalism no excuse for criminality'

Good morning , early birds .
Julian Assange ’ s extradition hearing is underway in London , and ASIO has sounded a warning that neo-Nazis are one of Australia ’ s top security threats .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
A US lawyer has used the opening day of Julian Assange ’ s extradition hearing to claim the Wikileaks co-founder risked the lives of informants in Iraq , Iran and Afghanistan and , according to the ABC , argue journalism is not an excuse for criminality .
FUN FACT : Australian investigative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presentation to claim Assange “ literally worked all night ” to manually redact 10,000 identities in the Afghan War Logs , as well as lob fairly severe , if ultimately clarified , allegations against The Guardian and The New York Times .
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess has warned that neo-Nazis are one of Australia ’ s top security threats , both the ABC and The Guardian report , in an annual threat assessment that identified a “ probable ” level of terrorist attacks and a “ sleeper ring ” of foreign interference in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MP Ed Husic noted yesterday , the anti-Islam massacre in Germany last week — and foiled plots directly inspired by the Christchurch massacre — barely ranked a mention in the Australian media .
Something to consider when deciding which of ASIO ’ s warnings make the lead story ( $ ) and which get relegated to a few lines in a sidebar ( $ ) .
Malaysia ’ s King has accepted the resignation of prime minister Mahathir Mohamad , but has named himinterim PM until a new person is appointed under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following allegations Mahathir betrayed a promise to hand over the role to would-be prime minister Anwar Ibrahim under a 2018 power-sharing agreement , it is currently unclear whether the 94-year-old leader will ultimately step down or attempt to form a new government if the King calls snap elections .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
[ Wang Xining : “ Stan worked with CNN , actually , your team went to Xinjiang a couple of times… ” ] Ah , we were often detained , we were often physically assaulted while trying to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — [ laughter ] — as well you know Wang from our time together .
In an all-time tense episode of Q & A , the veteran journalist corrects the Chinese Embassy ’ s Minister and Deputy Head of Mission on his access to Uyghur ‘ re-education ’ camps .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Iran ’ s coronavirus death toll reaches 12 , raising fears of new stage in global spread Storms break Perth ’ s dry weather spell this week ahead of Cyclone Esther ’ s arrival in WA Alan Joyce ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qantas land ‘ bargain-basement ’ fleet of Boeing 737 MAXs Israeli strikes in Syria and Gaza kill two Islamic Jihad fighters Anne Aly opens up on being a survivor of domestic violence , calls for action now ( $ ) — Dr Anne Aly ( The West Australian ) : “ I have known men like that .
Abusers who explode with rage when their power is taken away .
For every survivor of domestic violence , another murder reminds us of what could have been .
No amount of talking will stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his case has broad implications — Peter Greste ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ There are two images of Julian Assange that display the deeply contradictory views of his supporters and his critics .
The first is of Assange at the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London , microphone in hand , addressing the media gathered in the street below.
” Angus Taylor plays funny business with zero emissions target — Paul Bongiorno ( The New Daily ) : “ Australia ’ s Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Angus Taylor is counting on the fact he won ’ t be in Parliament in 2050 .
But in the meantime any argument against doing something meaningful about climate change will do.
” • Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Rod Sims will present a policy update at a CEDA event .
• ANZ chief economist Richard Yetsenga and China trade policy specialist Philippa Jones will speak at a Lowy Institute event on the economic impact of the coronavirus .
• Artist Mel O ’ Callaghan will launch her new book Centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• The Wheeler Centre will host a 10th anniversary storytelling gala , titled “ 2020 Hindsight ” , with Uncle Jack Charles , Alice Pung , Archie Roach and other storytellers from the past decade .
• The Australian Energy Regulator will host the Dr Gill Owen Forum on “ Fairness for consumers in the energy transition ” , to include the launch of a commissioned Consumer Policy Research Centre report into regulatory approaches to consumer vulnerability .
• A team from Melbourne Aquarium , GoBoat and Keep Victoria Beautiful will clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of Clean Up Australia ’ s “ Business Clean Up Day ” .
• EPA Victoria will hold a community meeting to discuss a work approval application to build a 24/7 used lead acid battery recycling plant in Hazelwood North .
• NASA ’ s deputy associate administrator for space communications and navigation Badri Younes will present “ The Science of Space Communications ” at Questacon .
• Uyghur leader and spokesman Nurmuhammad Majid Siddiq will present “ The Plight of the Uyghur People of East Turkistan ” at an Amnesty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott DSO ( ret ’ d ) will launch his book The Forgotten War : A personal account of service in 3RAR in Japan and Korea 1949-1952 at Torrens Parade Ground .
• Chair of the inquiry into microgrids and associated technologies in WA , Labor MLA Jessica Shaw , will present an overview of the final report “ Taking Charge : Western Australia ’ s Transition to a distributed energy future ” at an Australian Institute of Energy event .
• WA ’ s 2018 Premier ’ s Book Award writer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Oral History and the Christmas Island Boat Tragedy ” at the State Library of Western Australia .
• Day one of the CFMEU ’ s three-day global “ Cut the Dust ” conference on Black Lung and occupational dust diseases .

DAY ONE FOR ASSANGE’S EXTRADITION HEARING
A US lawyer has used the opening day of Julian Assange’s extradition hearing to claim the Wikileaks co-founder risked the lives of informants in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan and, according to the ABC, argue journalism is not an excuse for criminality.
FUN FACT: Australian investigative journalist Mark Davis used an August 2019 presentation to claim Assange “literally worked all night” to manually redact 10,000 identities in the Afghan War Logs, as well as lob fairly severe, if ultimately clarified, allegations against The Guardian and The New York Times.
ASIO LISTS NEO-NAZIS AS TOP TERRORIST THREAT
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess has warned that neo-Nazis are one of Australia’s top security threats, both the ABC and The Guardian report, in an annual threat assessment that identified a “probable” level of terrorist attacks and a “sleeper ring” of foreign interference in Australia.
TALKING POINT: As Labor MP Ed Husic noted yesterday, the anti-Islam massacre in Germany last week — and foiled plots directly inspired by the Christchurch massacre — barely ranked a mention in the Australian media. Something to consider when deciding which of ASIO’s warnings make the lead story ($) and which get relegated to a few lines in a sidebar ($).
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
MALAYSIA’S PM HAS RESIGNED
Malaysia’s King has accepted the resignation of prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, but has named himinterim PM until a new person is appointed under the Federal Constitution.
The Age reports, following allegations Mahathir betrayed a promise to hand over the role to would-be prime minister Anwar Ibrahim under a 2018 power-sharing agreement, it is currently unclear whether the 94-year-old leader will ultimately step down or attempt to form a new government if the King calls snap elections.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
[Wang Xining: “Stan worked with CNN, actually, your team went to Xinjiang a couple of times…”] Ah, we were often detained, we were often physically assaulted while trying to speak to people in many parts of China — [laughter] — as well you know Wang from our time together. Stan Grant
In an all-time tense episode of Q&A, the veteran journalist corrects the Chinese Embassy’s Minister and Deputy Head of Mission on his access to Uyghur ‘re-education’ camps.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
NSW fire chief cancels planned Liberal Party address
Iran’s coronavirus death toll reaches 12, raising fears of new stage in global spread
Storms break Perth’s dry weather spell this week ahead of Cyclone Esther’s arrival in WA
Alan Joyce’s ‘high-risk strategy’ could see Qantas land ‘bargain-basement’ fleet of Boeing 737 MAXs
NSW Labor revives push to ban property developers on local councils
Queensland pre-social media stalking laws ‘must be rewritten’
Stock markets tumble amid coronavirus fears
‘Namaste Trump’: India’s nationalist leader holds huge rally for US President’s visit
Israeli strikes in Syria and Gaza kill two Islamic Jihad fighters
THE COMMENTARIAT
Anne Aly opens up on being a survivor of domestic violence, calls for action now ($) — Dr Anne Aly (The West Australian): “I have known men like that. Abusers who explode with rage when their power is taken away. For every survivor of domestic violence, another murder reminds us of what could have been. No amount of talking will stop this.”
Whatever you think of Assange, his case has broad implications — Peter Greste (The Sydney Morning Herald): “There are two images of Julian Assange that display the deeply contradictory views of his supporters and his critics. The first is of Assange at the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, microphone in hand, addressing the media gathered in the street below.”
Angus Taylor plays funny business with zero emissions target — Paul Bongiorno (The New Daily): “Australia’s Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister [yes, that is his real title] Angus Taylor is counting on the fact he won’t be in Parliament in 2050. But in the meantime any argument against doing something meaningful about climate change will do.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Sydney
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Rod Sims will present a policy update at a CEDA event.
ANZ chief economist Richard Yetsenga and China trade policy specialist Philippa Jones will speak at a Lowy Institute event on the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Artist Mel O’Callaghan will launch her new book Centre of the Centre at Kronenberg Mais Wright.
Melbourne
The Wheeler Centre will host a 10th anniversary storytelling gala, titled “2020 Hindsight”, with Uncle Jack Charles , Alice Pung , Archie Roach and other storytellers from the past decade.
The Australian Energy Regulator will host the Dr Gill Owen Forum on “Fairness for consumers in the energy transition”, to include the launch of a commissioned Consumer Policy Research Centre report into regulatory approaches to consumer vulnerability.
A team from Melbourne Aquarium, GoBoat and Keep Victoria Beautiful will clean up floating rubbish along the Yarra River as part of Clean Up Australia’s “Business Clean Up Day”.
Churchill, Victoria
EPA Victoria will hold a community meeting to discuss a work approval application to build a 24/7 used lead acid battery recycling plant in Hazelwood North.
Canberra
NASA’s deputy associate administrator for space communications and navigation Badri Younes will present “The Science of Space Communications” at Questacon.
Hobart
Uyghur leader and spokesman Nurmuhammad Majid Siddiq will present “The Plight of the Uyghur People of East Turkistan” at an Amnesty International event.
Adelaide
Col. Francis Peter Scott DSO (ret’d) will launch his book The Forgotten War: A personal account of service in 3RAR in Japan and Korea 1949-1952 at Torrens Parade Ground.
Perth
Chair of the inquiry into microgrids and associated technologies in WA, Labor MLA Jessica Shaw , will present an overview of the final report “Taking Charge: Western Australia’s Transition to a distributed energy future” at an Australian Institute of Energy event.
WA’s 2018 Premier’s Book Award writer and asylum seeker biographer Reneé Pettitt-Schipp will deliver “Oral History and the Christmas Island Boat Tragedy” at the State Library of Western Australia.
Gold Coast, Queensland


crikey--2020-02-24--Market watching: say it ain't so, Joe (Aston) and other briefs

Coronavirus , big drops and some new digs .
Crikey rounds up some of the latest stories from the business @ @ @ @ @ heard last week was the sound of some of the most shorted ASX stocks dropping @ @ @ @ @ yet another win for the much vilified short sellers , WiseTech and Corporate Travel Management @ @ @ @ @ , both unsuccessfully blaming coronavirus for their failures .
WiseTech , which was exposed by @ @ @ @ @ year , has seen its share price decimated from $ 38.80 in September to $ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s earnings appear to be shrinking and it is still is trading on an @ @ @ @ @ , there could be a long way to go before this one bottoms out ( @ @ @ @ @ price target of $ 8 , seems to agree ) .

Short sellers: 1. Overpriced billionaires: 0
That thud you heard last week was the sound of some of the most shorted ASX stocks dropping like a stone.
In yet another win for the much vilified short sellers, WiseTech and Corporate Travel Management both unveiled horrific earnings updates, both unsuccessfully blaming coronavirus for their failures.
WiseTech, which was exposed by Hong Kong-based J Capital last year, has seen its share price decimated from $38.80 in September to $19.28. Given that WiseTech’s earnings appear to be shrinking and it is still is trading on an eye-watering PE multiple of 67, there could be a long way to go before this one bottoms out (Morningstar, which has a price target of $8, seems to agree).


crikey--2020-03-30--Worm: The $130 billion JobKeeper package unpacked

Good morning , early birds .
Scott Morrison has announced a $ 130 billion JobKeeper package , and New South Wales , Victoria and Queensland have all passed health orders with whopping fines attached .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
Updates and analyses have poured in overnight after Scott Morrison announced a $ 130 billion JobKeeper package that will subsidise wages by $ 1,500 a fortnight for the next six months .
To be eligible , businesses must have suffered a 30 % revenue loss since March 1 — or a 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnover is over $ 1 billion — with payments to start in early-May through the ATO and backdated to March 30 .
The ABC has explained employee and business requirements , including that casuals are only covered if they have worked at a company regularly for 12 months and the only temporary visa holders eligible as yet are New Zealanders on 444 visas .
Academics at The Conversation have unpacked complexities and limitations , asking , for example , could Qantas intentionally limit its revenue for six months to below 50 % ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ ) and The New Daily have tackled business and union concerns , respectively , about casual and migrant workers and the employers that can not wait until May for subsidies .
New South Wales , Victoria and , since Sunday night , Queensland , have all passed their own versions of frankly terrifying health orders banning both gatherings of over two people and — to quote NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard — leaving the house “ without reasonable excuse ” .
‘ Reasonable reasons ’ include obtaining food or other goods and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work or education if the person can not do it at home , exercise , and medical or caring reasons .
All three states have maximum fines ranging from $ 10,000 to $ 20,000 , with NSW even implementing prison sentences .
Meanwhile , other states and territories are either on their way , or have gone slightly softer , the ABC reports .
The ACT , for example , has gone for “ education and warnings ” before bringing out the handcuffs .
IT COULD BE VERY , VERY SLIGHTLY WORSE Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but do note that , as The Guardian reports , Hungary ’ s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has just passed effectively unlimited state emergency powers and prison sentences for “ spreading misinformation that hinders the government response ” to COVID-19 .
OF NOTE : Weirdly , none of the countries doing successful communication , testing and self-isolation measures — think Taiwan , South Korea and Singapore — have done so through police states .
• Ensure a financial safety net and Medicare access for people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from PNG and Nauru .
• Explore permanency and family reunion for people moving to high-need regional areas .
Because things are coming in thick and fast , here are a few positive state highlights to round things out .
• Western Australia has launched both a $ 25 million rent relief plan for small businesses and not-for-profit groups in government-owned buildings , effective immediately for six months , and a $ 159 million COVID-19 relief fund for emergency organisations .
• The Northern Territory has announced a $ 5 million worker and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wellbeing , counselling , financial , welfare , employment , accommodation and other support services .
• South Australian residents can now receive free , daily welfare calls from Red Cross ’ Telecross REDi service , during which staff can both ask vulnerable people how they are coping and if they need medical or food supplies , and reiterate the latest government health advice .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
A mere 24 hours after the fact , the Q & A host checks a claim about three tourist coaches he made citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALL ABOUT IT The government has made it easier for couples to get the JobSeeker payment , increasing the partner income threshold to $ 80,000 ‘ Blew us away ’ : Part-timers in jobs most at risk from pandemic to see wages rise West Australians to be forced to wear GPS trackers for ignoring self-isolation orders during COVID-19 pandemic Australian liquor stores join forces to impose temporary restrictions on alcohol to end stockpiling Two Melbourne Coles workers test positive to coronavirus , as state enters Stage 3 shutdown The power of narratives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to Covid-19 — Kelsey Munro ( The Strategist ) : “ Remember December 2019 ?
That innocent age before our kids knew how to spell ‘ Covid ’ , when all we were worried about was the terrible bushfires and the ongoing climate crisis ?
In only three months , the novel coronavirus has spread everywhere and all of us are engaged in a continual , rolling recalculation of its mind-boggling implications.
” Coronavirus : Perks and loopholes can ’ t endure as we run up debt — Adam Creighton ( The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor have little say in society but they are incurring the bulk of the costs from the shutdown .
Whether it ’ s their incomes , their schooling or their ability to enjoy life , the sacrifices that students and so-called generations X and Y are making for the over-75s are very significant .
Unlike the Spanish flu 90 years ago , it seems coronavirus is of little threat to the vast majority ” I thought I was safe to walk the beach with my daughter , then the police came — Kasey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ d checked all the information before I left the house and was sure that this walk along the beach was allowed .
The City of Port Phillip ’ s statement explicitly stated that we could access the beaches ‘ as a thoroughfare , such as for a run or walking a dog ’ and that ‘ swimming is allowed at this stage as long as social distancing and mass gathering rules are obeyed ’ .
” • The joint standing committee on migration will , via teleconference , conduct a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how communities and settlement services can better support migrants to gain employment .
• As of today , Prince Harry and his wife Megan , the Duchess of Sussex , will no longer be working members of the royal family following their January announcement .

ANOTHER WAVE OF STIMULUS
Updates and analyses have poured in overnight after Scott Morrison announced a $130 billion JobKeeper package that will subsidise wages by $1,500 a fortnight for the next six months. To be eligible, businesses must have suffered a 30% revenue loss since March 1 — or a 50% loss if the business’ annual turnover is over $1 billion — with payments to start in early-May through the ATO and backdated to March 30.
The ABC has explained employee and business requirements, including that casuals are only covered if they have worked at a company regularly for 12 months and the only temporary visa holders eligible as yet are New Zealanders on 444 visas.
Academics at The Conversation have unpacked complexities and limitations, asking, for example, could Qantas intentionally limit its revenue for six months to below 50%?
Meanwhile, The Australian Financial Review ($) and The New Daily have tackled business and union concerns, respectively, about casual and migrant workers and the employers that cannot wait until May for subsidies.
STATES TAKE PROPER STEPS TOWARDS AUTHORITARIANISM
New South Wales, Victoria and, since Sunday night, Queensland, have all passed their own versions of frankly terrifying health orders banning both gatherings of over two people and — to quote NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard — leaving the house “without reasonable excuse”.
‘Reasonable reasons’ include obtaining food or other goods and services, travelling for the purposes of work or education if the person cannot do it at home, exercise, and medical or caring reasons.
All three states have maximum fines ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, with NSW even implementing prison sentences. Meanwhile, other states and territories are either on their way, or have gone slightly softer, the ABC reports. The ACT, for example, has gone for “education and warnings” before bringing out the handcuffs.
IT COULD BE VERY, VERY SLIGHTLY WORSE
Not to downplay what Australians are facing, but do note that, as The Guardian reports, Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has just passed effectively unlimited state emergency powers and prison sentences for “spreading misinformation that hinders the government response” to COVID-19.
OF NOTE: Weirdly, none of the countries doing successful communication, testing and self-isolation measures — think Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore — have done so through police states.
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
REFUGEE COUNCIL CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE REFORM
Move people urgently out of crowded immigration detention facilities. Ensure a financial safety net and Medicare access for people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia. Simplify processes for visa grants and renewals. Move refugees and people seeking asylum from PNG and Nauru. Explore permanency and family reunion for people moving to high-need regional areas.
WA, NT AND SA LAUNCH NEW PROGRAMS
Because things are coming in thick and fast, here are a few positive state highlights to round things out.
Western Australia has launched both a $25 million rent relief plan for small businesses and not-for-profit groups in government-owned buildings, effective immediately for six months, and a $159 million COVID-19 relief fund for emergency organisations.
The Northern Territory has announced a $5 million worker and wellbeing fund for people looking to navigate wellbeing, counselling, financial, welfare, employment, accommodation and other support services.
South Australian residents can now receive free, daily welfare calls from Red Cross’ Telecross REDi service, during which staff can both ask vulnerable people how they are coping and if they need medical or food supplies, and reiterate the latest government health advice.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Have been informed there’s been no actual shoppers turning up by bus at Woolies in Jindabyne, contrary to what I’d been told by multiple locals. Very happy to stand corrected on this. Peace and stay safe all. Hamish Macdonald
A mere 24 hours after the fact, the Q&A host checks a claim about three tourist coaches he made citing, uh, his dad.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Early flu shots a ‘risk worth taking’
The government has made it easier for couples to get the JobSeeker payment, increasing the partner income threshold to $80,000
Coronavirus: Virgin seeking $1.4bn bailout to keep flying
‘Blew us away’: Part-timers in jobs most at risk from pandemic to see wages rise
Calls for retention bonuses, protective equipment for disability workers
West Australians to be forced to wear GPS trackers for ignoring self-isolation orders during COVID-19 pandemic
Australian liquor stores join forces to impose temporary restrictions on alcohol to end stockpiling
Two Melbourne Coles workers test positive to coronavirus, as state enters Stage 3 shutdown
Johnson & Johnson plans one billion doses of coronavirus vaccine
Austria to make basic face masks compulsory in supermarkets
‘I’m absolutely livid’: Van Gogh painting stolen from museum during pandemic
THE COMMENTARIAT
The power of narratives and the risk of surveillance creep in the response to Covid-19 — Kelsey Munro (The Strategist): “Remember December 2019? That innocent age before our kids knew how to spell ‘Covid’, when all we were worried about was the terrible bushfires and the ongoing climate crisis? In only three months, the novel coronavirus has spread everywhere and all of us are engaged in a continual, rolling recalculation of its mind-boggling implications.”
Coronavirus: Perks and loopholes can’t endure as we run up debt — Adam Creighton (The Australian): “The young and poor have little say in society but they are incurring the bulk of the costs from the shutdown. Whether it’s their incomes, their schooling or their ability to enjoy life, the sacrifices that students and so-called generations X and Y are making for the over-75s are very significant. Unlike the Spanish flu 90 years ago, it seems coronavirus is of little threat to the vast majority”
I thought I was safe to walk the beach with my daughter, then the police came — Kasey Edwards (The Age): “I’d checked all the information before I left the house and was sure that this walk along the beach was allowed. The City of Port Phillip’s statement explicitly stated that we could access the beaches ‘as a thoroughfare, such as for a run or walking a dog’ and that ‘swimming is allowed at this stage as long as social distancing and mass gathering rules are obeyed’.”
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
The joint standing committee on migration will, via teleconference, conduct a public hearing on migration in regional Australia and how communities and settlement services can better support migrants to gain employment.
United Kingdom


crikey--2020-03-29--Coronavirus is providing fertile ground for misinformation

As the world grapples with an unprecedented health crisis , it is now more important than ever to ensure that the information we share is accurate and fact-based .
As the world grapples with an unprecedented health crisis , it is now more important than ever to ensure that the information we share is accurate and fact-based .
Fake news and misinformation seem to be spreading as fast and as far as the virus itself , infecting our newsfeeds and timelines at this crucial moment .
This is why RMIT ABC Fact Check is launching CoronaCheck , an email newsletter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest in fact-checking from around the world in relation to the coronavirus .
Subscribe and keep reading for a taste of what ’ s to come .
Today we ’ ve looked at how misinformation is being shared and by whom — something which can be very hard to track once false information goes viral .
We ’ ve also got some bad news about those photos of wild animals in the canals of Venice , and we ’ ll bring you an update from the White House .
In addition , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which we ’ re sure will be the first of many — debunking an “ apparent ” cure for the virus .
A Facebook post , shared more than 100,000 times , claims a factory in Footscray is hoarding grocery items to be sent overseas .
But Victoria Police have discredited the post .
In a Facebook post of their own they said : While we know there is plenty of misinformation around about the coronavirus , as evidenced by this newsletter , it can be very hard to tell where a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an op-ed for Wired , Gabby Deutch from online trust website NewsGuard writes that she and her colleagues were able to track one fake article — “ Coronavirus Bioweapon–How China Stole Coronavirus From Canada And Weaponized It ” — back to its source .
It ’ s a fascinating read , and a good example of how fake news goes viral and why it ’ s so hard to track .
Some of the misleading coronavirus news is also being shared by climate change deniers , according to Desmog , a website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A claim attributed to Stanford University that being able to hold your breath for ten seconds “ proves there is no ( COVID-19 caused ) Fibrosis in the lungs ” has been deemed false by a number of fact checkers , including Africa Check , AP , Full Fact and USA Today .
Before you try the “ test ” out at home , know that Stanford University has said the information did not come from them and as one expert put it : In news that is a bit disheartening , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the canals of Venice are misleading , according to National Geographic and fact checkers at The Quint .
The photos of dolphins were actually taken in Sardinia , hundreds of kilometres away , and the swans were in Burano , in the greater Venice area , where they have been for 20 years .
In tragic news a man is dead and his wife is making a recovery in the US after they ingested a version of chloroquine , a substance Donald Trump falsely claimed had been approved to treat coronavirus .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 19 that the US would be making chloroquine , used to treat malaria , “ available almost immediately ” and that it had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
But according to AP Fact Check , CNN ’ s Facts First , and factcheck.org , the FDA is only investigating whether the drug can be used to treat COVID-19 and has not approved it as a treatment for the disease .
Those fact checks clearly didn ’ t reach one American couple , who ingested a parasite treatment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s comments on TV .
A doctor at the clinic which treated the couple offered some good advice : • The Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious Disease .
Emergencies ( APPRISE ) • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( US )

As the world grapples with an unprecedented health crisis, it is now more important than ever to ensure that the information we share is accurate and fact-based. Fake news and misinformation seem to be spreading as fast and as far as the virus itself, infecting our newsfeeds and timelines at this crucial moment.
This is why RMIT ABC Fact Check is launching CoronaCheck, an email newsletter in which we will bring you the latest in fact-checking from around the world in relation to the coronavirus.
Subscribe and keep reading for a taste of what’s to come.


Chris Woods

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 .

Former Worm Editor @tophermwoods
Chris is the former editor of the Crikey Worm and a former journalist for Crikey and The Mandarin.


crikey--2020-06-23--Virus Watch: No cases linked to protests, but Victoria's struggles continue

It 's now clear the Black Lives Matter protests did n't cause a coronavirus spike , but Victoria still has @ @ @ @ @ .
Plus more coronavirus news .
It ’ s now clear the Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ a second wave of COVID-19 , but there ’ s still a bit of community @ @ @ @ @ The horrific numbers out of the United States put that blip into perspective , though @ @ @ @ @ latest coronavirus news .
Black Lives Matter did not cause an outbreak Let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ time for the people at the back : more than 14 days later , there @ @ @ @ @ transmission of COVID-19 from the Black Lives Matter rally .
While four people in Victoria @ @ @ @ @ positive , there ’ s no evidence they infected anyone while protesting .
There have @ @ @ @ @ connection to the numerous other rallies held in other states .

It’s now clear the Black Lives Matter protests didn’t cause a second wave of COVID-19, but there’s still a bit of community transmission around in Victoria. The horrific numbers out of the United States put that blip into perspective, though. Plus more of the latest coronavirus news.
Black Lives Matter did not cause an outbreak
Let’s just say it one more time for the people at the back: more than 14 days later, there has been no recorded community transmission of COVID-19 from the Black Lives Matter rally.
While four people in Victoria who attended rallies later tested positive, there’s no evidence they infected anyone while protesting. There have been no cases with any connection to the numerous other rallies held in other states.


crikey--2020-05-25--Millennials to ScoMo: the future is ours, so it'd be good to have a say in it

As Australia looks to a post-coronavirus future , a young Australian asks : can we have a say in what @ @ @ @ @ ?
Among the ideas that have sprung forth about ways Australia can rebuild post-coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ missing : how do young people , with the bleak future that confronts us , @ @ @ @ @ ?
Among my friends , all in our mid-20s , a similar question is being @ @ @ @ @ .
Friends who ’ ve lost their jobs and those who will soon be a @ @ @ @ @ 2020 are asking , `` How can we have a say in what is next @ @ @ @ @ our suggestions into the ether of our similarly-aged social media followings , the collective response @ @ @ @ @ ” .

Among the ideas that have sprung forth about ways Australia can rebuild post-coronavirus, there is a crucial perspective missing: how do young people, with the bleak future that confronts us, want our future to look?
Among my friends, all in our mid-20s, a similar question is being flung around our group chats. Friends who’ve lost their jobs and those who will soon be a graduate of the dreaded year 2020 are asking, “How can we have a say in what is next?”.
Beyond pushing our suggestions into the ether of our similarly-aged social media followings, the collective response has been “not much”.


crikey--2020-06-16--Worm: Time for a federal ICAC?

Worm: Time for a federal ICAC?

Good morning , early birds .
Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks and federal frontbencher Jenny Macklin have been appointed administrators of Victorian Labor , and a dispute between China and India over a border site in the western Himalayas has led to a deadly clash .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
As The Age reports , former Victorian premier Steve Bracks and federal frontbencher Jenny Macklin have been appointed administrators of Victorian Labor until January 31 , 2021 , after Premier Dan Andrews called on the national executive to take over state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights of every member .
With The Age today calling for a federal ICAC — and the branch stacking scandal now claiming a third scalp in Marlene Kairouz — Attorney-General Christian Porter has told the paper he plans to restart talks on the Commonwealth Integrity Commission to gauge support from crossbenchers who consider the planned body a toothless tiger .
In news that does little to allay those concerns , The Guardian reports that both Jacqui Lambie and the Greens consider a separate bid to reimpose weaker political donations laws — one Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a Trojan horse for developer donations banned by states .
PS : In yet another expense scandal , The Guardian reports that Pauline Hanson charged taxpayers for a three-day Perth fundraising spree , one that attracted support from white supremacist group the Proud Boys .
Following a weeks-long standoff between India and China over a disputed border site in the western Himalayas , Al Jazeera reports that the deadliest clash in decades has killed 20 members of the Indian army .
The army said in a statement late on Tuesday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disputed Galwan area — where both countries accused the other of crossing boundaries — while Reuters reports that India ’ s foreign ministry added that there had been casualties on both sides .
WHAT OF AUS-CHINA ?
: As the ABC reports , the Morrison Government is planning an anti-disinformation taskforce , after Foreign Minister Marise Payne accused Russia , China and Turkey of pushing manipulative online material and “ using the pandemic to undermine liberal democracy and promote their own , more authoritarian models ” .
As Black Lives Matter protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and remove colonial statues , CNN reports that Donald Trump has signed an executive order offering more modest change — i.e .
a national certification system for law enforcement agencies and a database to better track police brutality — while Republicans prepare to announce a larger police reform package .
The news — which Trump qualified with defence of police and a weird defence of black unemployment rates — comes after : • members of a far right militia group were arrested in Albuquerque over the shooting of a demonstrator , who , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the removal of a monument to a Spanish conquistador • lawyers for the 75-year-old Buffalo protester NYPD police were filmed shoving to the ground say he has a fractured skull and can not walk • the US Press Freedom Tracker has now received more than 400 reports of press freedom violations since protests began On the domestic side of things , The Sydney Morning Herald reports that an Aboriginal teenager is suing the state of NSW over assault allegations after footage emerged of an officer appearing to strike the teen in the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year .
It comes after SA Police announced an internal investigation after footage emerged of an officer repeatedly striking a detained 28-year-old Aboriginal man , Noel Henry , who they allege was arrested over suspicion of possession but , after being arrested , has been released with no charge .
OVERDUE REFORM : In important ( if belated ) reform news , WAToday reports that a bill ending the practice of imprisoning people for overdue fines — a practice that overwhelmingly punishes Indigenous women — yesterday passed Western Australia ’ s upper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exemptions from forced quarantine after a 24-day period of no new domestic cases was broken by two recent arrivals from the UK ( via Brisbane ) leaving a facility without essential health checks .
As Stuff reports , Jacinda Ardern notes that the country was always going to see more cases as people returned from overseas , but that “ expectations have not been met ” after the two women — who officials stress did nothing wrong themselves — were granted compassionate exemptions to leave the facility with a strict safety plan but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 MILLION : In a reminder of just how lucky the Tasman countries have been , Beijing is grappling with a second wave ; Brazil ’ s official death toll has hit 44,000 overnight ; and Bloomberg reports that , as India unwinds lockdown measures that wrecked the economy but were not enough to “ flatten the curve ” , the country of 1.3 billion faces projections of 800,000 total cases by July .
Quietly , please let ’ s scratch what we said yesterday about major state announcements slowing down : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second phase of the state ’ s Economic Recovery Strategy , which includes more than $ 450 million in “ further measures for small business , for tradies , for farmers , for first home buyers , for seniors , for cabbies , for the tourism industry , and for artists and musicians ” .
• As the ABC reports , the Western Australian government is holding firm on a hard border closure after South Australia announced that , from midnight last night , the state would allow travellers from WA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 14 day quarantine .
• The Victorian government pledged an extra $ 23 million to support Aboriginal Australians throughout the pandemic , to include : • $ 10 million to establish the Aboriginal COVID-19 Response Fund , to give local organisations immediate support for emergency relief , outreach and brokerage , social and emotional wellbeing initiatives over the next year .
• $ 13 million over two years to meet an increase in Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation service demand , to provide support for Elders , homelessness services , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• The South Australian government announced that all suburban Adelaide shops and supermarkets will be allowed to continue trading under extended hours for at least another month .
• In three public transport announcements : • the ACT government will , from Saturday , 18 July roll-out a suspended public transport upgrade of 692 extra bus services each weekday , or a 17.5 % increase ; • NSW announced that public transport peak capacity will double from July 1 ; and • Victoria has hired more than 300 tram sanitisers through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost cleaning services .
• Finally , libraries in Tasmania will reopen doors for browsing , borrowing and public computer access from tomorrow , Thursday June 18 .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
The acting immigration minister is definitely worried that Brisbane protesters could infect a group of Manus refugees crammed into a Kangaroo Point hotel .
If only there was something somebody , anybody , could do about this health risk… READ ALL ABOUT IT First drug proves able to improve survival from COVID-19 , trial shows Wage freeze laws to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research reveals NSW and Victoria underestimate contribution of WA ’ s resources sector to national economy ( $ ) Five Eyes largely blind to COVID threat , so why deepen economic ties ?
— Brian Toohey ( The Sydney Morning Herald ) : “ The key countries comprising the ‘ Five Eyes ’ electronic espionage group have made an abysmal hash of handling the economic and health impacts of COVID-19 .
Yet the Australian government has chosen this Anglo-Saxon relic to develop a ‘ strategic ’ economic response to the COVID-19 crisis.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions ( $ ) — Jennifer Hewett ( AFR ) : “ This [ fight ] is over a bill before state parliament to allow legal firms the right to charge contingency fees in the booming and lucrative arena of class actions .
Not surprisingly , this is also championed by Maurice Blackburn and Slater and Gordon , two Melbourne-based legal firms that have helped spearhead the growth of class actions.
” The US government kills black people with impunity both at home and abroad — Robtel Neajai Pailey and Amy Niang ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February of this year , 18-year-old Nurto Kusow Omar Abukar was blown to smithereens by American air strikes as she sat down for dinner with her family in Jilib , Somalia .
Hurled indiscriminately by the US Africa Command ( Africom ) in its hunt for al-Shabaab militants , the bombs also injured Abukar ’ s younger sisters Fatuma , age 12 , and Adey , age seven , as well as their 70-year-old grandmother , Khadija Mohamed Gedow.
“ • Trade Minister Simon Birmingham will deliver “ Trading Australia towards the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Academic and economist Stephanie Kelton will discuss her new book on the role of the critical deficit spending , The Deficit Myth , as part of the Australia Institute ’ s Economics of a Pandemic series .
• First Nations people and environmental activists will protest outside NSW Parliament House to call for an immediate halt to logging of native forests .
• The shortlist for the 2020 Miles Franklin Literary Award will be released live on YouTube .

BRANCH STACKING SCANDAL FALLOUT CONTINUES
As The Age reports, former Victorian premier Steve Bracks and federal frontbencher Jenny Macklin have been appointed administrators of Victorian Labor until January 31, 2021, after Premier Dan Andrews called on the national executive to take over state and federal preselections and suspend the voting rights of every member.
With The Age today calling for a federal ICAC — and the branch stacking scandal now claiming a third scalp in Marlene Kairouz — Attorney-General Christian Porter has told the paper he plans to restart talks on the Commonwealth Integrity Commission to gauge support from crossbenchers who consider the planned body a toothless tiger.
In news that does little to allay those concerns, The Guardian reports that both Jacqui Lambie and the Greens consider a separate bid to reimpose weaker political donations laws — one Labor is currently negotiating with the Coalition over — a Trojan horse for developer donations banned by states.
PS: In yet another expense scandal, The Guardian reports that Pauline Hanson charged taxpayers for a three-day Perth fundraising spree, one that attracted support from white supremacist group the Proud Boys.
DEADLY BORDER CLASH BETWEEN CHINA AND INDIA
Following a weeks-long standoff between India and China over a disputed border site in the western Himalayas, Al Jazeera reports that the deadliest clash in decades has killed 20 members of the Indian army.
The army said in a statement late on Tuesday that the two sides “have disengaged” from the disputed Galwan area — where both countries accused the other of crossing boundaries — while Reuters reports that India’s foreign ministry added that there had been casualties on both sides.
WHAT OF AUS-CHINA?: As the ABC reports, the Morrison Government is planning an anti-disinformation taskforce, after Foreign Minister Marise Payne accused Russia, China and Turkey of pushing manipulative online material and “using the pandemic to undermine liberal democracy and promote their own, more authoritarian models”.
TRUMP OFFERS MODEST CHANGE
As Black Lives Matter protests coalesce around demands to defund police departments and remove colonial statues, CNN reports that Donald Trump has signed an executive order offering more modest change — i.e. a national certification system for law enforcement agencies and a database to better track police brutality — while Republicans prepare to announce a larger police reform package.
The news — which Trump qualified with defence of police and a weird defence of black unemployment rates — comes after:
members of a far right militia group were arrested in Albuquerque over the shooting of a demonstrator, who, at the time, was advocating for the removal of a monument to a Spanish conquistador
lawyers for the 75-year-old Buffalo protester NYPD police were filmed shoving to the ground say he has a fractured skull and cannot walk
the US Press Freedom Tracker has now received more than 400 reports of press freedom violations since protests began
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
IN SOME LOCAL POLICE NEWS…
On the domestic side of things, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that an Aboriginal teenager is suing the state of NSW over assault allegations after footage emerged of an officer appearing to strike the teen in the head as he was walked home in Casino last year.
It comes after SA Police announced an internal investigation after footage emerged of an officer repeatedly striking a detained 28-year-old Aboriginal man, Noel Henry, who they allege was arrested over suspicion of possession but, after being arrested, has been released with no charge.
OVERDUE REFORM: In important (if belated) reform news, WAToday reports that a bill ending the practice of imprisoning people for overdue fines — a practice that overwhelmingly punishes Indigenous women — yesterday passed Western Australia’s upper house.
NEW ZEALAND SUSPENDS COMPASSIONATE QUARANTINE EXEMPTIONS
New Zealand has suspended compassionate exemptions from forced quarantine after a 24-day period of no new domestic cases was broken by two recent arrivals from the UK (via Brisbane) leaving a facility without essential health checks.
As Stuff reports, Jacinda Ardern notes that the country was always going to see more cases as people returned from overseas, but that “expectations have not been met” after the two women — who officials stress did nothing wrong themselves — were granted compassionate exemptions to leave the facility with a strict safety plan but without being tested.
GLOBAL CASES PASS 8 MILLION: In a reminder of just how lucky the Tasman countries have been, Beijing is grappling with a second wave; Brazil’s official death toll has hit 44,000 overnight; and Bloomberg reports that, as India unwinds lockdown measures that wrecked the economy but were not enough to “flatten the curve”, the country of 1.3 billion faces projections of 800,000 total cases by July.
STATE WRAP: ANOTHER MILLION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Quietly, please let’s scratch what we said yesterday about major state announcements slowing down:
Yesterday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the second phase of the state’s Economic Recovery Strategy, which includes more than $450 million in “further measures for small business, for tradies, for farmers, for first home buyers, for seniors, for cabbies, for the tourism industry, and for artists and musicians”.
announced the second phase of the state’s Economic Recovery Strategy, which includes more than $450 million in “further measures for small business, for tradies, for farmers, for first home buyers, for seniors, for cabbies, for the tourism industry, and for artists and musicians”. As the ABC reports, the Western Australian government is holding firm on a hard border closure after South Australia announced that, from midnight last night, the state would allow travellers from WA, Tasmania and the NT to travel without a 14 day quarantine.
government is holding firm on a hard border closure after announced that, from midnight last night, the state would allow travellers from WA, Tasmania and the NT to travel without a 14 day quarantine. The Victorian government pledged an extra $23 million to support Aboriginal Australians throughout the pandemic, to include: $10 million to establish the Aboriginal COVID-19 Response Fund, to give local organisations immediate support for emergency relief, outreach and brokerage, social and emotional wellbeing initiatives over the next year. $13 million over two years to meet an increase in Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation service demand, to provide support for Elders, homelessness services, and housing, education, and health services.
government pledged an extra $23 million to support Aboriginal Australians throughout the pandemic, to include: The South Australian government announced that all suburban Adelaide shops and supermarkets will be allowed to continue trading under extended hours for at least another month.
government announced that all suburban Adelaide shops and supermarkets will be allowed to continue trading under extended hours for at least another month. In three public transport announcements: the ACT government will, from Saturday, 18 July roll-out a suspended public transport upgrade of 692 extra bus services each weekday, or a 17.5% increase; NSW announced that public transport peak capacity will double from July 1; and Victoria has hired more than 300 tram sanitisers through the “Working for Victoria” initiative to boost cleaning services.
Finally, libraries in Tasmania will reopen doors for browsing, borrowing and public computer access from tomorrow, Thursday June 18.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
These protesters are putting people at risk, including the detainees — the very people they claim to care about. Alan Tudge
The acting immigration minister is definitely worried that Brisbane protesters could infect a group of Manus refugees crammed into a Kangaroo Point hotel. If only there was something somebody, anybody, could do about this health risk…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
First drug proves able to improve survival from COVID-19, trial shows
Unrest in Hong Kong sees pro-democracy protester seeking asylum in Australia
Teenage boy dead after brawl in Deer Park
Labor figures claim taxpayers footing bill for factional chief ($)
Wage freeze laws to be rushed through Parliament this week
Job market crawls off floor as recovery begins ($)
Painted Dog Research reveals NSW and Victoria underestimate contribution of WA’s resources sector to national economy ($)
Marcus Rashford: Food voucher U-turn after footballer’s campaign
Doctors Without Borders closes Kabul hospital after horrific attack
US Supreme Court LGBT worker ruling has a giant loophole
Disbanding notorious NYPD anti-crime unit is a “shell game,” critics say
THE COMMENTARIAT
Five Eyes largely blind to COVID threat, so why deepen economic ties? — Brian Toohey (The Sydney Morning Herald): “The key countries comprising the ‘Five Eyes’ electronic espionage group have made an abysmal hash of handling the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. Yet the Australian government has chosen this Anglo-Saxon relic to develop a ‘strategic’ economic response to the COVID-19 crisis.”
Lawyers want a bigger slice of class actions ($) — Jennifer Hewett (AFR): “This [fight] is over a bill before state parliament to allow legal firms the right to charge contingency fees in the booming and lucrative arena of class actions. Not surprisingly, this is also championed by Maurice Blackburn and Slater and Gordon, two Melbourne-based legal firms that have helped spearhead the growth of class actions.”
The US government kills black people with impunity both at home and abroad — Robtel Neajai Pailey and Amy Niang (The Nation): “In early February of this year, 18-year-old Nurto Kusow Omar Abukar was blown to smithereens by American air strikes as she sat down for dinner with her family in Jilib, Somalia. Hurled indiscriminately by the US Africa Command (Africom) in its hunt for al-Shabaab militants, the bombs also injured Abukar’s younger sisters Fatuma, age 12, and Adey, age seven, as well as their 70-year-old grandmother, Khadija Mohamed Gedow.“
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Canberra
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham will deliver “Trading Australia towards the future” at the National Press Club.
Academic and economist Stephanie Kelton will discuss her new book on the role of the critical deficit spending, The Deficit Myth, as part of the Australia Institute’s Economics of a Pandemic series.
Sydney
First Nations people and environmental activists will protest outside NSW Parliament House to call for an immediate halt to logging of native forests.
Australia


crikey--2020-06-16--Virus Watch: Protests have not led to a coronavirus surge — yet

Despite a handful of locally-acquired cases , last weekend 's protests still have n't led to a surge .
More @ @ @ @ @ the Black Lives Matter protests , community transmission of COVID-19 is still a trickle , @ @ @ @ @ in South Asia and Latin America , cases continue to surge .
And next year @ @ @ @ @ postponed , another sign that the disruption of the coronavirus will continue well into 2021 @ @ @ @ @ than two weeks without any locally-acquired cases in NSW , there have been two in @ @ @ @ @ Health authorities are trying to figure out how an Illawara man tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s another reminder that the virus is still circulating , albeit in low @ @ @ @ @ .

More than a week on from the Black Lives Matter protests, community transmission of COVID-19 is still a trickle, not a wave. But in South Asia and Latin America, cases continue to surge. And next year’s Oscars will be postponed, another sign that the disruption of the coronavirus will continue well into 2021 and beyond.
Community transmission returns
After more than two weeks without any locally-acquired cases in NSW, there have been two in the last three days.
Health authorities are trying to figure out how an Illawara man tested positive for COVID-19 through apparent community transmission. It’s another reminder that the virus is still circulating, albeit in low levels, in the community.


crikey--2020-06-16--Australia's contraction won't be as bad as feared — but then we'll return to stagnation

The prime minister says we need economic growth at 3.75 % in coming years .
How will he manage that when the economy has never got above 3 % under the Coalition ?
After an extended period of optimism about an imminent recovery from pandemic lockdown , sharemarkets in the United States and Australia finally succumbed last week to the realisation that any recovery will be slow and grinding .
In the US , community cases of COVID-19 are trending upwards again , especially across southern states , in what could be the beginning of a second wave engendered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of states .
If that happens while the Chinese regime struggles with a new cluster in Beijing ( guess that victory lap by a maskless Xi Jinping was a tad premature ? )
, the outlook for global growth for the rest of the year is bleak .
Markets in Asia ( including Australia with a 2 % -plus slide ) continued to be sold off on Monday and were heading lower on Wall Street overnight until the US Federal Reserve revealed the details of its corporate bond buying policy , first announced @ @ @ @ @ @

After an extended period of optimism about an imminent recovery from pandemic lockdown, sharemarkets in the United States and Australia finally succumbed last week to the realisation that any recovery will be slow and grinding.
In the US, community cases of COVID-19 are trending upwards again, especially across southern states, in what could be the beginning of a second wave engendered by the overly rapid reopening of a number of states. If that happens while the Chinese regime struggles with a new cluster in Beijing (guess that victory lap by a maskless Xi Jinping was a tad premature?), the outlook for global growth for the rest of the year is bleak.
Markets in Asia (including Australia with a 2%-plus slide) continued to be sold off on Monday and were heading lower on Wall Street overnight until the US Federal Reserve revealed the details of its corporate bond buying policy, first announced more than a month ago.


crikey--2020-06-10--TV Ratings: Big Brother is already starting to slip in audience numbers

Is the honeymoon already over for the the not so-triumphant return of Big Brother ?
Seven 's Big Brother ’ @ @ @ @ @ to 1.14 million from the 1.22 million for the return on Monday night .
Last @ @ @ @ @ the eviction and 1.11 million for the lead up -- expect that to soon dip @ @ @ @ @ Seven still won the night easily as Nine ’ s lack of content bit .
@ @ @ @ @ Big Brother with 1.31 million , up from Monday ’ s 1.13 million .
Not @ @ @ @ @ to be easily topped two nights into the season .
Big Brother really is a @ @ @ @ @ all been through the COVID-19 lockdown , does Seven really think people want to be @ @ @ @ @ ?

Seven’s Big Brother’s average fell last night to 1.14 million from the 1.22 million for the return on Monday night. Last night saw 1.14 million for the eviction and 1.11 million for the lead up — expect that to soon dip under a million viewers.
Seven still won the night easily as Nine’s lack of content bit. MasterChef on Ten easily beat Big Brother with 1.31 million, up from Monday’s 1.13 million. Not a good look for BB to be easily topped two nights into the season.
Big Brother really is a tired old format. Having all been through the COVID-19 lockdown, does Seven really think people want to be reminded of that so soon?


crikey--2020-03-12--Worm: The wolf halts Wall Street

Worm: The wolf halts Wall Street

Good morning , early birds .
Donald Trump 's European travel ban announcement caused shares to plunge and Wall Street to halt trading for the second time this week , and Labor has committed to passing the Coalition 's stimulus package .
It 's the news you need to know , with Chris Woods .
According to the ABC , Wall Street has triggered a second trading halt as both the outbreak itself and Donald Trump ’ s European travel ban — which , to correct just one of three falsehoods from his national address , doesn ’ t actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plunge .
The turmoil , as The New Daily reports , also knocked the ASX down to GFC levels , while The Sydney Morning Herald — in , arguably , a silver-lining for us jocks — reports it did much the same for Bitcoin .
HOW WILL THE $ 17.6 BILLION BE SPENT ?
To learn how the Coalition intends to combat all the above with its $ 17.6 billion stimulus package , check out today ’ s roughly half a million op-eds , analyses and editorials .
You could also try Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on business investment , employer support , stimulus for households , and regional support .
WHAT OF THE OPPOSITION : Labor has committed to passing the stimulus but , in relation to the $ 2.6 billion medical package , has called for more drastic self-isolation measures , national school and event closures and speedier rollouts for dedicated clinics— with Shadow Health Minister Chris Bowen specifically taking issue with the May deadline .
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews is under pressure to cancel Sunday ’ s Grand Prix , with McLaren Racing withdrawing from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive and , in a candid interview with ABC Radio , physician and journalist Dr Norman Swan calling it “ stupid and hypocritical ” .
Elsewhere , The Guardian reports NSW health workers have been told to prepare for 1.6 million cases , 8,000 deaths and a “ first wave ” of the virus that could last for up to 22 weeks .
HEALTH TIP : As Buzzfeed ’ s extremely readable , GIF-friendly guide explains , social distancing and hand-washing will prove crucial in delaying the outbreak as long as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare burden .
In that same interview , Swan also called for an American travel ban , considering the country hit over 1,300 cases yesterday and , according to Science , has a hospital system beset by delays in testing equipment and privatised healthcare .
See , for example , this account of paying US $ 10,000 to try and fail to be tested .
However , with travel bans to China , Italy , Iran and South Korea extended another week , The Sydney Morning Herald reports the Coalition has instead considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisors have rejected .
In a new spin on an old rort , an investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald has found Manus detention centre contractor Paladin secretly engaged two politically connected firms to lobby Papua New Guinea officials to grant visas for its workers .
FUN FACT : It ’ s been roughly a year since we really dove into that little , $ 483 million contract that could .
THEY REALLY SAID THAT ?
What ?
That ’ s just the Queensland premier issuing a quarantine warning for anyone who came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while he was shooting Baz Lurhmann ‘ s ‘ Elvis ’ biopic on the Gold Coast .
Weird you needed an explanation .
READ ALL ABOUT IT Woolworths ‘ deliberately misled ’ the Fair Work Commission over new pay deal : union Bridget McKenzie warned by legal expert ‘ ignorance of the law is no excuse ’ ‘ It is massive ’ : US ban on European travellers could sink airlines Turkey ’ s President accuses Greece of using ‘ Nazi ’ tactics to turn away asylum seekers Scott Morrison nails coronavirus response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Paul Kelly ( The Australian ) : “ Morrison ’ s package is well designed , temporary but heavily targeted , trying to avert an Australian recession in the June quarter .
Trump ’ s ineptitude on Thursday in his economic response raises a fresh doubt : that the lack of US leadership will damage Australia and the world.
” Covid-19 is pushing sports rorts from the news .
But at least one potential crime must be investigated — Tony Harris ( The Guardian ) : “ There is nothing good about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imbroglio called the community sports infrastructure program .
This advantages the Morrison government but it detracts from those wanting a government that governs without deceit.
” Cancel everything — Yascha Mounk ( The Atlantic ) : “ We don ’ t yet know the full ramifications of the novel coronavirus .
But three crucial facts have become clear in the first months of this extraordinary global event .
And what they add up to is not an invocation to stay calm , as so many politicians around the globe are incessantly suggesting ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case for changing our behavior in radical ways—right now.
” • Federal and state COAG leaders will meet to discuss the coronavirus .
• Architect of the 2015 Paris Agreement Christiana Figueres and climate economist Ross Garnaut will speak at the Wheeler Centre event “ Climate Solutions Now ” .
• Former Greens senator Lidia Thorpe and refugee lawyer Julian Burnside will address Extinction Rebellion ’ s protest “ March Against Murdoch ” at Treasury Gardens .
The event is directed at climate change disinformation from News Corp. • Chair of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will launch Trevor Batrouney and Andrew Batrouney ’ s new book Lebanese in Australia : A Changing Mosaic at Trades Hall .
• Day one of the two-day Brisbane European Fashion Festival at The Grove .
• The South Australian Productivity Commission will launch two new inquiries into the state ’ s research and development sectors , one focused on health and medical research and another on other R & D areas .
• Today marks the one year anniversary of the Christchurch anti-Muslim terror attacks .

HALT IN THE WOUND
According to the ABC, Wall Street has triggered a second trading halt as both the outbreak itself and Donald Trump’s European travel ban — which, to correct just one of three falsehoods from his national address, doesn’t actually apply to trade — cause shares to plunge.
The turmoil, as The New Daily reports, also knocked the ASX down to GFC levels, while The Sydney Morning Herald — in, arguably, a silver-lining for us jocks — reports it did much the same for Bitcoin.
HOW WILL THE $17.6 BILLION BE SPENT?
To learn how the Coalition intends to combat all the above with its $17.6 billion stimulus package, check out today’s roughly half a million op-eds, analyses and editorials.
You could also try Treasury’s dedicated website, which focuses on business investment, employer support, stimulus for households, and regional support.
WHAT OF THE OPPOSITION: Labor has committed to passing the stimulus but, in relation to the $2.6 billion medical package, has called for more drastic self-isolation measures, national school and event closures and speedier rollouts for dedicated clinics— with Shadow Health Minister Chris Bowen specifically taking issue with the May deadline.
GRAND PRIX IN HEADLIGHTS
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews is under pressure to cancel Sunday’s Grand Prix, with McLaren Racing withdrawing from the event last night after a team member tested positive and, in a candid interview with ABC Radio, physician and journalist Dr Norman Swan calling it “stupid and hypocritical”.
Elsewhere, The Guardian reports NSW health workers have been told to prepare for 1.6 million cases, 8,000 deaths and a “first wave” of the virus that could last for up to 22 weeks.
HEALTH TIP: As Buzzfeed’s extremely readable, GIF-friendly guide explains, social distancing and hand-washing will prove crucial in delaying the outbreak as long as possible and helping to “flatten” the healthcare burden.
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SHOULD WE BAN AMERICAN TOURISTS?
In that same interview, Swan also called for an American travel ban, considering the country hit over 1,300 cases yesterday and, according to Science, has a hospital system beset by delays in testing equipment and privatised healthcare. See, for example, this account of paying US$10,000 to try and fail to be tested.
However, with travel bans to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea extended another week, The Sydney Morning Herald reports the Coalition has instead considered a Europe-wide ban, which their health advisors have rejected.
PALADIN IS BACK
In a new spin on an old rort, an investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald has found Manus detention centre contractor Paladin secretly engaged two politically connected firms to lobby Papua New Guinea officials to grant visas for its workers.
FUN FACT: It’s been roughly a year since we really dove into that little, $483 million contract that could.
THEY REALLY SAID THAT?
Of course, people who have come in close contact with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson will need to self-isolate. Annastacia Palaszczuk
What? That’s just the Queensland premier issuing a quarantine warning for anyone who came in contact with Hollywood icon Tom Hanks while he was shooting Baz Lurhmann‘s ‘Elvis’ biopic on the Gold Coast. Weird you needed an explanation.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Woolworths ‘deliberately misled’ the Fair Work Commission over new pay deal: union
Bridget McKenzie warned by legal expert ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’
Former Health Department executives John Fullerton, David Mulligan charged with corruption
‘Wonderful’ flows prompt removal of Lower Darling River temporary dams
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian defends under fire ministers at Senate budget estimates hearing
‘It is massive’: US ban on European travellers could sink airlines
5G confirmed safe by radiation watchdog
What’s the frequency? Truth about radio ratings battle
Turkey’s President accuses Greece of using ‘Nazi’ tactics to turn away asylum seekers
Detroit suspends water shutoffs over Covid-19 fears
THE COMMENTARIAT
Scott Morrison nails coronavirus response as Donald Trump founders ($) — Paul Kelly (The Australian): “Morrison’s package is well designed, temporary but heavily targeted, trying to avert an Australian recession in the June quarter. Trump’s ineptitude on Thursday in his economic response raises a fresh doubt: that the lack of US leadership will damage Australia and the world.”
Covid-19 is pushing sports rorts from the news. But at least one potential crime must be investigated — Tony Harris (The Guardian): “There is nothing good about Covid-19 but it does distract from the imbroglio called the community sports infrastructure program. This advantages the Morrison government but it detracts from those wanting a government that governs without deceit.”
Cancel everything — Yascha Mounk (The Atlantic): “We don’t yet know the full ramifications of the novel coronavirus. But three crucial facts have become clear in the first months of this extraordinary global event. And what they add up to is not an invocation to stay calm, as so many politicians around the globe are incessantly suggesting; it is, on the contrary, the case for changing our behavior in radical ways—right now.”
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE
WHAT’S ON TODAY
Sydney
Federal and state COAG leaders will meet to discuss the coronavirus.
Melbourne
Architect of the 2015 Paris Agreement Christiana Figueres and climate economist Ross Garnaut will speak at the Wheeler Centre event “Climate Solutions Now”.
Former Greens senator Lidia Thorpe and refugee lawyer Julian Burnside will address Extinction Rebellion’s protest “March Against Murdoch” at Treasury Gardens. The event is directed at climate change disinformation from News Corp.
Chair of the Australian Council for International Development Susan Pascoe will launch Trevor Batrouney and Andrew Batrouney’s new book Lebanese in Australia: A Changing Mosaic at Trades Hall.
Brisbane
Day one of the two-day Brisbane European Fashion Festival at The Grove.
Hobart
Opening day of the four-day UN Youth Tasmania State Conference.
Adelaide
The South Australian Productivity Commission will launch two new inquiries into the state’s research and development sectors, one focused on health and medical research and another on other R&D areas.
Christchurch, New Zealand


crikey--2020-03-11--Coronavirus is raising legal questions that no one has answers for... yet

Lawyers are trying to give their clients pragmatic advice on how to do business amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
But @ @ @ @ @ that lawyers can ’ t truly provide The client ’ s question was existential : @ @ @ @ @ conference in the next few months , selling thousands of tickets for what will be @ @ @ @ @ corporate sponsors .
They ’ ve booked the venue and paid the enormous non-refundable deposit @ @ @ @ @ members are asking themselves , considering their directors ’ duties and the rising public panic @ @ @ @ @ need to postpone or cancel the event altogether .
The way things are looking , @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll make a massive loss .

The client’s question was existential: they’re organising a conference in the next few months, selling thousands of tickets for what will be a huge event with major corporate sponsors.
They’ve booked the venue and paid the enormous non-refundable deposit. But now the board members are asking themselves, considering their directors’ duties and the rising public panic over COVID-19, whether they need to postpone or cancel the event altogether.
The way things are looking, if they run it they’ll make a massive loss.


crikey--2020-06-05--U mad bro? America's troll-in-chief thrives on the triumph of destruction

Far from being a failed presidency , Donald Trump has achieved exactly what he set out to achieve : the destruction of the capacity of government to make American lives better .
Donald Trump ’ s presidency is finished , we ’ re hearing , as his tragic bungling of the COVID-19 pandemic has given way to his tragic bungling of the protests against police murders of African Americans .
Trump ’ s presidency is over , declared Robert Reich .
Trump was the new Jimmy Carter ( ouch ) without the latter ’ s patriotism , wrote Matt Bai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a failed presidency wrote Vanity Fair , echoing a recent Brookings Institution op-ed .
Except , commentators have routinely called time on Trump — so often that it ’ s even been the subject of other commentary .
Measured by the normal standards of presidents , Trump is indeed a spectacular failure , one to make even James Buchanan look competent , so awful even that reliable sycophant of duds and despots Greg “ George W. Bush is one of the great presidents ” Sheridan has been moved to find fault with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead and counting , a wrecked economy , the worst civil unrest since the 1960s , a plague of white supremacist and incel terrorism , a rebuke by his own military leaders and the erosion of the international standing of the US among enemies and allies alike represents failure is to apply entirely the wrong standard .
As a project , the Trump presidency welds two disparate aims : the profound , tribal sense of loathing of many low and middle-income white males toward 21st century America , and an extreme , plutocratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests of US corporations and its wealthiest elite .
To achieve this , Trump — a wholly establishment figure , albeit more arriviste and gauche than traditional East Coast Republicans — has posed as an anti-establishment outsider determined to impose change .
As it turns out , that change has not been an overturning , but a confirmation , of key elements of the US model of neoliberalism that has immiserated so many blue-collar Americans .
But Trump can successfully pull this off because he understands the intersection of these two divergent interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a longstanding trope of US politics that corporate interests have used racism to distract white working class voters from voting in their economic interests .
Trump ’ s presidency dramatically scales this up : he doesn ’ t just use race , he uses the full spectrum of identity politics .
For many white American males , particularly working class white males , government has become a hated entity , one that has retreated from supporting American communities and white male jobs while — in their eyes — providing unmerited support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , LGBTIQ people and other minorities .
Government has , in their eyes , abandoned them while backing those they have traditionally regarded as their inferiors .
For corporate plutocrats , of course , government is a tax and regulatory burden that must be curbed or even removed altogether to maximise corporate profits and shareholder returns .
As m ’ colleague Guy Rundle has perspicaciously noted , this leads to a form of “ wrecking crew ” politics , in which the purpose of the incumbent is not to achieve policy goals or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to simply destroy the capacity of government to achieve anything positive and , ultimately , even the faith of the governed in the capacity of government to effect worthwhile change .
Until this year , Trump painted with a somewhat limited palette in that task : important administration positions were left unfilled , or filled with utter incompetents ; the US budget deficit was exploded with a company tax cut that funnelled tens of billions to US shareholders ; officeholders who displayed a reality-based approach to their jobs , or who took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire functions , such as preparing for pandemics , were shuttered ; blatant corruption became an acceptable standard for public office .
But COVID-19 has presented the opportunity for implementing this strategy on a far broader scale .
Through a combination of denialism , partisanship , refusal to take action , incitement of armed white supremacists to break lockdown laws and promotion of deadly “ cures ” , Trump added the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans to his resumé of governmental incapacitation .
The eruption of protests over police murders was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meal ; even conservatives were appalled that Trump ’ s instinct was to inflame the protests and divide Americans , as if anything in his presidency had suggested he might do otherwise .
With these actions , Trump has come significantly closer to the ultimate goal of disabling , if not permanently then long-term , the capacity of the US federal government to govern effectively , and the belief of Americans in its potential to govern effectively for them .
If that ’ s the strategy , Trump ’ s tactics are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His real political slogan isn ’ t “ Make America Great Again ” .
That was only ever a reference to a kind of pre-modern America , where women , and blacks , and other minorities knew their place and never challenged the right of heterosexual white males to social , political and economic dominance .
His true slogan is “ U Mad Bro ?
” , that smirking declaration of triumph by the internet troll to anyone who takes their abuse , derision , pranking or transgressive mockery seriously .
Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-convinced declarations of a president who , famously , was the first victim of his own whoppers , but the goadings of a troll , someone who doesn ’ t care about the truth or otherwise of their statements , only that they enrage opponents and amuse supporters .
Trump himself is notoriously racist , but his own personal prejudices are less relevant than his self-appointed role of premier Twitter flamebaiter .
His statements are , like those of an internet bulletin board troll , intended to amuse and enrage , not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bemusing that even many Trump supporters have killed themselves with poison or died from COVID infection — U Dead Bro ?
— based on his advice , given his statements were acts of trolling , not statements of fact or even personal belief .
To accuse a troll of failing to unite is thus absurd , akin to lamenting a vampire ’ s pale complexion .
Their very existence is dedicated to dividing , enraging , alienating , infuriating , with a gloating delight at causing offence with ever more absurd , transgressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , far from being over , is at its zenith , even if it has come at the cost of the president having to flee in terror to the White House bunker as protesters raged outside .
Far more than George W. Bush — a former contender for worst ever president , who now looks comparatively benign and moderate — Trump deserves a “ Mission Accomplished ” moment .
If not a fighter jet to an aircraft carrier , then perhaps a triumphant emergence from a White House bunker “ inspection ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent teargas canisters and tattered Black Lives Matter placards , and stand in front of a desecrated church to hold aloft some Trump merchandise , proudly surveying the wreckage of a failed state .

Donald Trump’s presidency is finished, we’re hearing, as his tragic bungling of the COVID-19 pandemic has given way to his tragic bungling of the protests against police murders of African Americans.
Trump’s presidency is over, declared Robert Reich. Trump was the new Jimmy Carter (ouch) without the latter’s patriotism, wrote Matt Bai for the The Washington Post. Trump has a failed presidency wrote Vanity Fair, echoing a recent Brookings Institution op-ed.
Except, commentators have routinely called time on Trump — so often that it’s even been the subject of other commentary.


crikey--2020-06-05--Is the government putting the wrong dollar-value on the cost of human life?

Putting a dollar value on life is difficult and uncomfortable , but the government 's methods are flawed — and @ @ @ @ @ Australia ’ s decision to restrict physical movement during the COVID-19 crisis has been overwhelmingly @ @ @ @ @ On a per-capita basis , the United States still experiences roughly the same number of @ @ @ @ @ has overall .
In Sweden — which pursued a private lockdown rather than a government-coordinated @ @ @ @ @ is 418.9 per million , more than 100 times that of Australia , yet its @ @ @ @ @ outcomes than Australia both this year and next .
This decision was also justified by @ @ @ @ @ CBA ) of lives lost under an unmitigated “ herd immunity ” strategy compared to @ @ @ @ @ the additional economic costs of a lockdown as distinct from the general economic costs of @ @

Australia’s decision to restrict physical movement during the COVID-19 crisis has been overwhelmingly vindicated by the evidence. On a per-capita basis, the United States still experiences roughly the same number of deaths per day as Australia has overall.
In Sweden — which pursued a private lockdown rather than a government-coordinated one — the death rate is 418.9 per million, more than 100 times that of Australia, yet its central bank forecasts worse economic outcomes than Australia both this year and next.
This decision was also justified by any reasonable cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of lives lost under an unmitigated “herd immunity” strategy compared to a partial lockdown, and the additional economic costs of a lockdown as distinct from the general economic costs of COVID-19.