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Australia coronavirus live update: parliament passes $130bn Jobkeeper package and Ruby Princess raided – latest news Australia coronavirus live update: parliament passes $130bn Jobkeeper package and Ruby Princess raided – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Scott Morrison has described the government’s economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus crisis as ‘the biggest economic lifeline in Australia’s history’. Follow liveScott Morrison has described the government’s economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus crisis as ‘the biggest economic lifeline in Australia’s history’. Follow live
Tasmania’s premier Peter Gutwein has again urged all Tasmanians to “stay at home and save lives” and says police will be “paying special attention to the north-west coast”.
The state saw nine more people diagnosed since yesterday, which continues the downward trend but given how particularly devastating community transmission would be Gutwein says he is not messing around.
On those additional measures Queensland has put in place, Queensland residents who want to head into NSW will need a permit to return to Queensland. (Previously they did not need that.)
Also they may be forced into the 14-day quarantine, which includes police checks.
So basically, you can leave the state but getting back in is going to be a major pain.
Queensland just did this and is now having to deal with the fact it also included frontline health workers and teachers in the freeze.Queensland just did this and is now having to deal with the fact it also included frontline health workers and teachers in the freeze.
‘Public servant” is not a one-fits-all term.‘Public servant” is not a one-fits-all term.
Queensland looks like it is implementing new travel restrictions for Queenslanders looking to travel into New South Wales.Queensland looks like it is implementing new travel restrictions for Queenslanders looking to travel into New South Wales.
That’s after Queensland had to close some of its most famous Gold Coast beaches after it claimed Brisbane and Logan residents were flouting the physical distance restrictions.That’s after Queensland had to close some of its most famous Gold Coast beaches after it claimed Brisbane and Logan residents were flouting the physical distance restrictions.
Well I’ve seen photos of concrete road blocks being put in place at “just-over-the-border-but-we-all-consider-Queensland” beaches like Dbar, so it looks like the restrictions are going further.Well I’ve seen photos of concrete road blocks being put in place at “just-over-the-border-but-we-all-consider-Queensland” beaches like Dbar, so it looks like the restrictions are going further.
In better news, just 10 Queenslanders were newly diagnosed with coronavirus since the last update yesterday.In better news, just 10 Queenslanders were newly diagnosed with coronavirus since the last update yesterday.
Anthony Albanese also takes aim at some of the “informed” commentary, saying Labor has been very constructive during the 2020 crises.Anthony Albanese also takes aim at some of the “informed” commentary, saying Labor has been very constructive during the 2020 crises.
Anthony Albanese is also keeping an eye on the future – and the political issues which have been left behindAnthony Albanese is also keeping an eye on the future – and the political issues which have been left behind
“The gap between the rhetoric of this government and the reality has been extraordinary,” he said. “And we know that with regard to money, they treated taxpayer money in the lead-up to the election as if it was LNP money. We won’t let go and Australians shouldn’t forget the sports rort fiasco, the use of infrastructure money, the $3bn fund, to just marginal seats and LNP seats, the great spending in seats like Kooyong and Higgins, for example.”“The gap between the rhetoric of this government and the reality has been extraordinary,” he said. “And we know that with regard to money, they treated taxpayer money in the lead-up to the election as if it was LNP money. We won’t let go and Australians shouldn’t forget the sports rort fiasco, the use of infrastructure money, the $3bn fund, to just marginal seats and LNP seats, the great spending in seats like Kooyong and Higgins, for example.”
“I am not for a ramping up of authoritarian measures,” Anthony Albanese says, on whether road blocks need to be put in place to stop people from travelling into regional communities this Easter.“I am not for a ramping up of authoritarian measures,” Anthony Albanese says, on whether road blocks need to be put in place to stop people from travelling into regional communities this Easter.
It should just be commonsense, he says.It should just be commonsense, he says.
“We shouldn’t need for that to be reinforced.”“We shouldn’t need for that to be reinforced.”
Anthony Albanese says Labor will continue to try to have more people included in the wage subsidy, including those on temporary visas who are unable to return home because of flight and border restrictions.Anthony Albanese says Labor will continue to try to have more people included in the wage subsidy, including those on temporary visas who are unable to return home because of flight and border restrictions.
“People can’t self isolate if they can’t have somewhere to self isolate,” he says.“People can’t self isolate if they can’t have somewhere to self isolate,” he says.
He says marginalised people, left without support, are also a health risk to the wider community.He says marginalised people, left without support, are also a health risk to the wider community.
A lot of arts performers have fallen through the cracks of the government’s stimulus packages.A lot of arts performers have fallen through the cracks of the government’s stimulus packages.
This announcement may help some, but there will be many, many who still need assistance:This announcement may help some, but there will be many, many who still need assistance:
“To help the arts sector deal with the devastating impact of Covid-19, which has seen performances cancelled, venues closed and many performers and crew hit by the loss of gigs, the Morrison-McCormack government is committing $27m in targeted support across three particularly vulnerable areas of specific need.“To help the arts sector deal with the devastating impact of Covid-19, which has seen performances cancelled, venues closed and many performers and crew hit by the loss of gigs, the Morrison-McCormack government is committing $27m in targeted support across three particularly vulnerable areas of specific need.
“The government is providing $10m to help regional artists and organisations develop new work and explore new delivery models. The funding will be delivered through Australia’s regional arts fund.“The government is providing $10m to help regional artists and organisations develop new work and explore new delivery models. The funding will be delivered through Australia’s regional arts fund.
“In remote Australia, self-isolation due to Covid-19 means Indigenous arts centres are unable to receive visitors, and the income that many artists rely on to support themselves and their families has dried up.“In remote Australia, self-isolation due to Covid-19 means Indigenous arts centres are unable to receive visitors, and the income that many artists rely on to support themselves and their families has dried up.
“To support Indigenous artists and arts centres, the government is providing $7m in additional funding. The funding will be delivered under the Indigenous visual arts industry support program.“To support Indigenous artists and arts centres, the government is providing $7m in additional funding. The funding will be delivered under the Indigenous visual arts industry support program.
Leaders are asking people to avoid church and religious ceremonies this easter, no matter how long running the tradition. Leaders are asking people to avoid church and religious ceremonies this Easter, no matter how long-running the tradition.
AAP has this update on what is happening with one of Brisbane’s biggest services:AAP has this update on what is happening with one of Brisbane’s biggest services:
Brisbane’s Catholic archbishop will conduct an Easter service from a hospital that’s preparing to take in coronavirus victims.Brisbane’s Catholic archbishop will conduct an Easter service from a hospital that’s preparing to take in coronavirus victims.
Mark Coleridge says Thursday night’s service at St Vincents Private Hospital is about “going where the action is” instead of preaching in a cathedral with no congregation. Mark Coleridge says Thursday night’s service at St Vincent’s private hospital is about “going where the action is” instead of preaching in a cathedral with no congregation.
The archbishop says the location is also an attempt to face what lies ahead, while paying tribute to the extraordinary and often hidden work of health workers.The archbishop says the location is also an attempt to face what lies ahead, while paying tribute to the extraordinary and often hidden work of health workers.
“We didn’t want to celebrate in an empty cathedral,” he told ABC radio on Thursday.“We didn’t want to celebrate in an empty cathedral,” he told ABC radio on Thursday.
“This is far from over. We’ve got to face reality. Our move to the hospital this evening was an attempt to face reality.”“This is far from over. We’ve got to face reality. Our move to the hospital this evening was an attempt to face reality.”
From 7pm on Thursday, the archbishop will lead a service at the hospital, which has regular patients but is also preparing to step up if the coronavirus crisis demands it. From 7pm on Thursday Coleridge will lead a service at the hospital, which has regular patients but is also preparing to step up if the coronavirus crisis demands it.
It will be livestreamed on the diocese’s website and Facebook page.It will be livestreamed on the diocese’s website and Facebook page.
Other services - also livestreamed - will still go ahead inside an empty St Stephen’s Cathedral on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday. Other services – also livestreamed – will go ahead inside an empty St Stephen’s cathedral on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.
NSW has seen its lowest growth in diagnosis since mid March – 39 people were diagnosed with Covid-19 since yesterday’s update, Dr Kerry Chant says. NSW has seen its lowest growth in diagnosis since mid March: 39 people were diagnosed with Covid-19 since yesterday’s update, the state’s chief medical officer, Dr Kerry Chant, says.
Anthony Albanese will address the media in the next 10 minutes or so Anthony Albanese will address the media in the next 10 minutes or so.
With China lifting the travel ban on Wuhan, residents have been able to leave the province for the first time in almost six months.With China lifting the travel ban on Wuhan, residents have been able to leave the province for the first time in almost six months.
But so have planes, including one plane which landed in Australia overnight, carrying almost 100* tonnes of much needed medical equipment. And so have planes, including one which landed in Australia overnight carrying almost 100* tonnes of much needed medical equipment.
*amended from an earlier, incorrect tonnage (thanks @r_co) * Amended from a previous figure
And on schools, Gladys Berejiklian said when it comes to next term, it is still a work in progress. And on schools, Gladys Berejiklian said plans for next term are still a work in progress.
In amongst that briefing, was the news the NSW government would be filling the gap between the government’s free childcare announcement, and the services offered by local governments, to make nearly all early child care free in that state. In among that briefing was the news the NSW government would fill the gap between the federal government’s free childcare and the services offered by local governments to make nearly all early childcare free in that state.
Gladys BerejiklianGladys Berejiklian
Mick Fuller spoke about just how cooperative members of the NSW community have been in helping the police (as well as the planned traffic enforcement operations for the weekend, to keep everyone home) Mick Fuller spoke about just how cooperative members of the NSW community have been in helping the police (as well as the planned traffic enforcement operations for the weekend, to keep everyone home):
Another 24 fines were issued in NSW since yesterday for disobeying physical distancing rules.Another 24 fines were issued in NSW since yesterday for disobeying physical distancing rules.
And NSW Crime Stoppers has received FIVE THOUSAND calls from people dobbing in their neighbours for allegedly breaking the isolation restrictions.And NSW Crime Stoppers has received FIVE THOUSAND calls from people dobbing in their neighbours for allegedly breaking the isolation restrictions.
FIVE THOUSAND.FIVE THOUSAND.
Mick Fuller confirms NSW police boarded the Ruby Princess overnight, and “seized” the ship’s black box equivalent.Mick Fuller confirms NSW police boarded the Ruby Princess overnight, and “seized” the ship’s black box equivalent.
The NSW premier says she will review the state’s restrictions each month, and give an update at the end of the month, about whether or not any of the physical distant measures will be lifted.The NSW premier says she will review the state’s restrictions each month, and give an update at the end of the month, about whether or not any of the physical distant measures will be lifted.