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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 as ‘the biggest economic lifeline in Australia’s history’. Follow liveScott Morrison has described the government’s economic stimulus package as ‘the biggest economic lifeline in Australia’s history’. Follow live
Very big 28 Days Later vibes going on here
All things considered though, the RBA in that April report says there is no need to panic, and that the lending restrictions put in place over the past five years have helped:
Labor’s Amanda Rishworth says the government’s childcare package still needs some work:
The Reserve Bank has released its financial stability review April report, and on page 11 it included the tidbit about Australia’s rich withdrawing millions of dollars from their bank accounts in March:
I guess its the 1% version of toilet paper.
Victoria Health has released its official update for the day:
The total number of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in Victoria is 1,228, an increase of 16 from yesterday.
There were no new deaths overnight. The number of people who have died in Victoria from coronavirus is 12.
The total number of cases includes 642 men and 585 women. Cases range in age from babies to people in their early 90s.
There are 110 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission. More than 62,000 tests have been conducted to date.
There are 50 people are in hospital, including 13 patients in intensive care, and 806 people have recovered.
Of the total 1,228 cases, there have been 992 in Melbourne and 225 in regional Victoria. Several cases are still being investigated.
Gladys Berejiklian addressed the Don Harwin issue, after the Daily Telegraph caught the arts minister in his central coast holiday home.
Harwin says he chose to relocate there three weeks ago, because of his underlying health issues and didn’t break any NSW restrictions.
Berejiklian is calling him back to Sydney anyway:
Police commissioner Mick Fuller says he’ll review the case, and if there have been any breaches, Harwin will get a fine:
But he’ll keep his job.
Queensland is updating its border measures – which now includes Queenslanders who are seeking to return to Queensland after a trip over the border.Queensland is updating its border measures – which now includes Queenslanders who are seeking to return to Queensland after a trip over the border.
You’ll find the border measures (when they are updated) hereYou’ll find the border measures (when they are updated) here
The foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, is joining the health minister, Greg Hunt, and deputy chief medical officer, Nick Coatsworth, for today’s briefing, which will be at 12.30.The foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, is joining the health minister, Greg Hunt, and deputy chief medical officer, Nick Coatsworth, for today’s briefing, which will be at 12.30.
And just like in Queensland, where a freeze was put in place last week – after which the government realised it also froze frontline worker pay – the commonwealth public servant union says the Morrison government has just done exactly the same thing:And just like in Queensland, where a freeze was put in place last week – after which the government realised it also froze frontline worker pay – the commonwealth public servant union says the Morrison government has just done exactly the same thing:
Labor has responded to the arts funding announcement the government made today.Labor has responded to the arts funding announcement the government made today.
Tony Burke says it doesn’t come near to being close enough:Tony Burke says it doesn’t come near to being close enough:
Larger charities still miss out on being eligible for the jobkeeper wage subsidy, despite the drop to 15% revenue loss (it is 30% for other entities under a $1bn and 50% for those over a billion) with government grants making some things tricky: the money is spent, but counted, and funds for future projects and staff is drying up.Larger charities still miss out on being eligible for the jobkeeper wage subsidy, despite the drop to 15% revenue loss (it is 30% for other entities under a $1bn and 50% for those over a billion) with government grants making some things tricky: the money is spent, but counted, and funds for future projects and staff is drying up.
Plan International, which misses out, and focuses on international aid, has some other ideas on how agencies like theirs can be helped:Plan International, which misses out, and focuses on international aid, has some other ideas on how agencies like theirs can be helped:
Plan International Australia’s chief executive, Susanne Legena, said although this result was disappointing, there were a range of other measures the federal government could implement in the short term to provide relief.Plan International Australia’s chief executive, Susanne Legena, said although this result was disappointing, there were a range of other measures the federal government could implement in the short term to provide relief.
These include:These include:
Introduce tax breaks for individuals in a position to donate to charities, including a tax deduction of 150% for the rest of the financial year;Introduce tax breaks for individuals in a position to donate to charities, including a tax deduction of 150% for the rest of the financial year;
Lift the cap for fringe benefit tax to help charity employees. This will help alleviate the impact on staff wages in the reduction of employee hours as donations fall;Lift the cap for fringe benefit tax to help charity employees. This will help alleviate the impact on staff wages in the reduction of employee hours as donations fall;
Introduce a $300m Australian charities stabilisation fund, including providing flexible grants over at least the next six months of a value of between $20,000 and $100,000 which are rapidly assessed by the commonwealth;Introduce a $300m Australian charities stabilisation fund, including providing flexible grants over at least the next six months of a value of between $20,000 and $100,000 which are rapidly assessed by the commonwealth;
A fully flexible, 0% government loan facility for charities.A fully flexible, 0% government loan facility for charities.
These are still dribbling out:These are still dribbling out:
The Greens senator Rachel Siewert wants the government to check itself when it comes to debt collection over this period:The Greens senator Rachel Siewert wants the government to check itself when it comes to debt collection over this period:
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.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: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: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: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 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.“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 six 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, 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 16 March.The 39 new cases represent the lowest daily count since 16 March.
There are 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, a 32% 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 travellers quarantined in hotels, 36 (22%) have tested positive.Of the 161 symptomatic travellers quarantined in hotels, 36 (22%) have tested positive.