This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/apr/09/australia-coronavirus-update-live-ruby-princess-nsw-victoria-qld-parliament-jobkeeper-packages-latest-news-updates

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 19 Version 20
Australia coronavirus live update: education minister orders independent schools to reopen – latest news Australia coronavirus live update: education minister orders independent schools to reopen – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Dan Tehan wants all schools to provide in-person teaching to children whose parents want it. Follow liveDan Tehan wants all schools to provide in-person teaching to children whose parents want it. Follow live
Independent Schools Victoria has blasted a decision by Dan Tehan to threaten schools funding if they do not all open their doors in term 2. Health minister Greg Hunt urging Australians to stay home over the Easter long weekend.
Michelle Green, chief executive of ISV, said: Not even Scott Cam is immune to Covid-19 job losses.
Victorian Independent schools have been placed in an impossible position. Police in Western Australia will investigate whether Fremantle Dockers star Nat Fyfe breached restrictions by surfing in Margaret River.
They are caught between conflicting advice from state and federal authorities. After the West Australian newspaper reported the AFL player had been photographed surfing, the WA police minister Chris Dawson said police would investigate.
This week ISV strongly encouraged the 220 Independent schools in Victoria to follow the direction of the Victorian Government when it announced that, following advice from the Chief Health Officer, ‘all Victorian government primary, secondary and special schools will move to remote and flexible learning and teaching’. “I think that’s something for Nat himself to answer, in terms of, whether he’s done the right or wrong thing,” he said.
The Victorian Government’s advice was that all children who can learn at home must learn from home – with exceptions only in extremely limited circumstances. “Police will investigate that matter but on the face of it there are questions to be answered.
Many Victorian Independent schools had already decided to take this course of action, even before the State Government’s announcement. “An essential service is not surfing unless you are a professional surfer, I’ll leave it at that.”
Today, the Federal Government told these same schools they had to provide on-site learning facilities for the children of all parents who want it – not just the children of emergency service and health workers. It’s worth noting that policy contradicts other states, where surfing has been classified by police as legitimate exercise.
They were warned that their federal funding was conditional on them following the government’s direction. Independent Schools Victoria has blasted a decision by Dan Tehan to threaten schools’ funding if they do not all open their doors in term two.
This has left teachers, parents and, ultimately, their students, confused and frustrated at a time of extraordinary stress. The chief executive of ISV, Michelle Green, said:
I have alerted the federal minister to the practical implications of his announcement and pressed him for urgent clarification.
As Josh mentioned a little earlier, Virgin Australia has suspended all of its flights except one between Sydney and Melbourne.As Josh mentioned a little earlier, Virgin Australia has suspended all of its flights except one between Sydney and Melbourne.
I’ve now got their statement. The company says this is basically a decision based on demand. The company will continue to operate local and international cargo transport as well as charter flights for Australians trapped overseas. I’ve now got its statement. The company says this is basically a decision based on demand. The company will continue to operate local and international cargo transport as well as charter flights for Australians trapped overseas.
A spokeswoman from Virgin said: A spokeswoman for Virgin said:
In the meantime, the Tasmanian government has said today that it will use helicopters to monitor people’s movement over the Easter long weekend.In the meantime, the Tasmanian government has said today that it will use helicopters to monitor people’s movement over the Easter long weekend.
The apple isle has had tough Covid-19 rules limiting movement for some time, but today the premier, Peter Gutwein, told residents that if they left their homes unnecessarily over the long weekend, they could face fines of up to $16,800 or six months’ jail.The apple isle has had tough Covid-19 rules limiting movement for some time, but today the premier, Peter Gutwein, told residents that if they left their homes unnecessarily over the long weekend, they could face fines of up to $16,800 or six months’ jail.
Patrols will be increased in the state’s north-west, where an outbreak of Covid-19 has hit two hospitals. Gutwein said:Patrols will be increased in the state’s north-west, where an outbreak of Covid-19 has hit two hospitals. Gutwein said:
Good evening. This is Michael McGowan, taking over from Josh Taylor. I’ll get you some more on that Virgin announcement as soon as I can.Good evening. This is Michael McGowan, taking over from Josh Taylor. I’ll get you some more on that Virgin announcement as soon as I can.
Virgin Australia has suspended all its flights except one between Sydney and Melbourne.Virgin Australia has suspended all its flights except one between Sydney and Melbourne.
The dreams of many were dashed this week when NRL island was taken away from us all, but maybe there’s hope yet for UFC island?The dreams of many were dashed this week when NRL island was taken away from us all, but maybe there’s hope yet for UFC island?
The PM’s Easter message, telling people to stay home.The PM’s Easter message, telling people to stay home.
On the restart of the NRL season at the end of May:On the restart of the NRL season at the end of May:
“The details on the competition structure we haven’t got yet because the landscape is changing around government boundaries. That will feed into the complexity structure,” said ARL commissioner Wayne Pearce, who is also a member of the NRL’s innovation committee.“The details on the competition structure we haven’t got yet because the landscape is changing around government boundaries. That will feed into the complexity structure,” said ARL commissioner Wayne Pearce, who is also a member of the NRL’s innovation committee.
Pearce suggested the proposal to split the league into conferences was off the table.Pearce suggested the proposal to split the league into conferences was off the table.
WA premier Mark McGowan is talking after national cabinet.WA premier Mark McGowan is talking after national cabinet.
He says there will be monthly reviews on the restrictions currently in place, but he doesn’t want to pre-empt the outcome of those reviews.He says there will be monthly reviews on the restrictions currently in place, but he doesn’t want to pre-empt the outcome of those reviews.
“We’re certainly not guinea pigs,” he says on whether WA could be a test ground for other states.But he says WA was stronger in its initial response.“We’re certainly not guinea pigs,” he says on whether WA could be a test ground for other states.But he says WA was stronger in its initial response.
Here’s the latest from national cabinet via a press release from the prime minister’s office (no press conference):Here’s the latest from national cabinet via a press release from the prime minister’s office (no press conference):
Social distancing measures are working, we’ll be living for the virus for at least six monthsSocial distancing measures are working, we’ll be living for the virus for at least six months
Stay at home over EasterStay at home over Easter
The suppression phase will last a while: “Restrictions will be reviewed regularly and planning for the medium- to long-term has begun”The suppression phase will last a while: “Restrictions will be reviewed regularly and planning for the medium- to long-term has begun”
National cabinet to meet again in a week (April 16)National cabinet to meet again in a week (April 16)
There will be a consistent and immediate exemption for non-cruise maritime crew to be transiting to and from work and across jurisdictions with documentationThere will be a consistent and immediate exemption for non-cruise maritime crew to be transiting to and from work and across jurisdictions with documentation
Air crew on international flights will need to self-isolate in their home or hotel if not local city between flights for 14 daysAir crew on international flights will need to self-isolate in their home or hotel if not local city between flights for 14 days
Domestic air crew stay exempt except where a state or territory specifically prohibits entryDomestic air crew stay exempt except where a state or territory specifically prohibits entry
National cabinet agrees for consistent “hardship” responses for utilities, including telcos, energy companies etcNational cabinet agrees for consistent “hardship” responses for utilities, including telcos, energy companies etc
Flexible payment offers should be offered to all households and small businesses in financial stressFlexible payment offers should be offered to all households and small businesses in financial stress
No disconnectionsNo disconnections
Deferring debt recovery/credit default listingDeferring debt recovery/credit default listing
Waiving late fees and interest charges on debtWaiving late fees and interest charges on debt
Minimising planned outages and giving as much notice as possible for that which can’t be avoidedMinimising planned outages and giving as much notice as possible for that which can’t be avoided
And work between the states and the federal government around seasonal workers. States are responsible for the self-isolation requirements for those wanting to go pick fruit in regional areasAnd work between the states and the federal government around seasonal workers. States are responsible for the self-isolation requirements for those wanting to go pick fruit in regional areas
There’s been no change to the requirements previously announced around that.There’s been no change to the requirements previously announced around that.