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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 live Scott Morrison has described the government’s economic stimulus package as ‘the biggest economic lifeline in Australia’s history’. Follow live
It’s happening across the states - now it’s happening across the federal agencies: These are still dribbling out:
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Hon Ben Morton MP, has deferred general wage increases for Commonwealth Public Servants for 6 months. The Greens senator Rachel Siewert wants the government to check itself when it comes to debt collection over this period:
“The Australian Public Service (APS) remains a critical part of our efforts to minimise the impacts on COVID-19 on the Australian economy for workers and their families. Everyone from the Prime Minister down appreciates the outstanding work the APS is doing.” While there are early indications that Australia is managing to flatten the curve, there are still preparations everywhere you look for a potential worse-case scenario.
That includes increasing Australia’s ventilator access. The federal science minister, Karen Andrews, has just announced a new deal on that:
Now that the payment has been legislated, this should be able to answer your questions about whether or not you are eligible:
It’s happening across the states – now it’s happening across the federal agencies:
The assistant minister to the prime minister and cabinet, Ben Morton, has deferred general wage increases for commonwealth public servants for six months.
“The Australian public service remains a critical part of our efforts to minimise the impacts on Covid-19 on the Australian economy for workers and their families. Everyone from the prime pinister down appreciates the outstanding work the APS is doing.
“Every APS employee will have someone in their families, or know someone, affected by the current economic circumstances. While communities are doing it tough, it’s important the APS helps share the economic burden.”“Every APS employee will have someone in their families, or know someone, affected by the current economic circumstances. While communities are doing it tough, it’s important the APS helps share the economic burden.”
Last month, the Government implemented a stay for senior Public Servants’ salary increases and also requested a stay for all Ministers, parliamentarians and parliamentary office holders. Last month the government implemented a stay for senior public servants’ salary increases and also requested a stay for all ministers, parliamentarians and parliamentary office holders.
The deferral of wage increases commences from 14 April and will remain in effect for 12 months. During this period, agencies will defer upcoming wage increases by 6 months as they fall due. This will ensure the deferral is shared equally by all APS employees. The deferral of wage increases commences from 14 April and will remain in effect for 12 months. During this period, agencies will defer upcoming wage increases by six months as they fall due. This will ensure the deferral is shared equally by all APS employees.
NSW Health has released its official update:NSW Health has released its official update:
As at 8pm, Wednesday 8 April 2020, an additional 39 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed, since 8pm 6 April, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in NSW to 2,773. As at 8pm Wednesday 8 April, an additional 39 cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed since 8pm 6 April, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in NSW to 2,773.
The 39 new cases represent the lowest daily count since March 16. The 39 new cases represent the lowest daily count since 16 March.
There are currently 221 COVID-19 cases being treated in NSW. This includes 31 cases in Intensive Care Units, and 21 of these require ventilators. There are 221 Covid-19 cases being treated in NSW. This includes 31 cases in intensive care units, and 21 of these require ventilators.
A further 3,906 people were tested for COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday 8 April 2020, a 32 per cent increase from the 24 hours before (2,945). A further 3,906 people were tested for Covid-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday 8 April, a 32% increase from the 24 hours before (2,945).
There have been 12 new cases at Gosford Hospital including two patients and six staff and four family/friend cases. The affected ward was closed yesterday and community contact tracing is ongoing. There have been 12 new cases at Gosford hospital including two patients and six staff and four family/friend cases. The affected ward was closed yesterday and community contact tracing is ongoing.
Of the 161 symptomatic travelers quarantined in hotels, 36 (22 per cent) have tested positive. Of the 161 symptomatic travellers quarantined in hotels, 36 (22%) have tested positive.
How lucky for Victorians who have holiday homes.How lucky for Victorians who have holiday homes.
The Tasmanian premier, Peter Gutwein said:The Tasmanian premier, Peter Gutwein said:
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.)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.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.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.