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| Australia coronavirus updates live: Tasmanian man's death brings national toll to 64 – latest news | Australia coronavirus updates live: Tasmanian man's death brings national toll to 64 – latest news |
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| 20 residents of aged care home in Sydney confirmed cases of Covid-19, as NSW considers roster system for return to face-to-face learning in schools. Follow all the latest news, live | 20 residents of aged care home in Sydney confirmed cases of Covid-19, as NSW considers roster system for return to face-to-face learning in schools. Follow all the latest news, live |
| The share market has closed higher today, narrowly missing a one-month high. | |
| The ASX200 finished up 71.2 points, or 1.31%, at 5,487.5 – just 0.6 points shy of the one-month closing high set on Tuesday, AAP reports. | |
| However, McManus said Porter has promised to reverse the changes if employers are found to be abusing them. | |
| “We talk most days,” McManus says. “[Today] he listened to that and said that if it’s true, what we’re saying, and if employers do abuse this, that he is prepared to reverse the regulation.” | |
| She also said workers should just vote ‘no’ on any changes they are given under the new 24-hour deadline. | |
| “If you’re presented with changes and you are given 24 hours’ notice of it, and then to vote, and you haven’t got time to look through it, to seek advice, vote no. You would be crazy to vote yes. | |
| “You would basically be voting to change your conditions totally blind without the benefit of advice from experts, without probably even the ability to talk to your employer properly, let alone your fellow colleagues.” | |
| McManus said employers could still give workers more time – beyond 24 hours – if they did need to make changes. | |
| “It just doesn’t make sense,” she said. | |
| “On one hand, big business is saying, ‘We need to cut the time from seven days to 24 hours’, and on the other hand this pandemic, the big economic consequences for business have been happening for three whole weeks. What have those businesses been doing for the last three weeks? They could have already consulted their workers.” | |
| Sally McManus, the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, has said that industrial relations minister Christian Porter did not consult unions before announcing yesterday’s big employment law changes. | Sally McManus, the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, has said that industrial relations minister Christian Porter did not consult unions before announcing yesterday’s big employment law changes. |
| Earlier in this coronavirus pandemic, Porter and McManus achieved an unprecedented level of cooperation. | Earlier in this coronavirus pandemic, Porter and McManus achieved an unprecedented level of cooperation. |
| “I think he [Porter] even described you to The Australian as his new BFF,” says host Patricia Karvelas on the ABC. “Is that relationship now broken?” | |
| “It has been tested,” McManus says. “He made a really bad decision yesterday to make those changes. That’s likely to affect a whole lot of workers in a negative way and we’ve told him that directly. Not only was the decision bad – he didn’t consult us about it.” | |
| Yesterday Porter’s announcement meant that workers would only have 24 hours to decide whether to accept or reject changes to their enterprise bargaining agreements, if their employers tried to change them. | |
| Previously, they had seven days. | Previously, they had seven days. |
| SA chief public health officer, Dr Nicola Spurrier, says there has been only one new case of Covid-19 overnight. That brings the state total to 435 people, but 76% (331 people) “have recovered fully”. | SA chief public health officer, Dr Nicola Spurrier, says there has been only one new case of Covid-19 overnight. That brings the state total to 435 people, but 76% (331 people) “have recovered fully”. |
| She says this is “really excellent news”. The state now has 104 active cases. | She says this is “really excellent news”. The state now has 104 active cases. |
| The new case was a person in their 50s and Spurrier said they were confident they picked it up through overseas travel. | The new case was a person in their 50s and Spurrier said they were confident they picked it up through overseas travel. |
| Here’s an infographic from the premier’s office. That plan will be reviewed after three weeks. | Here’s an infographic from the premier’s office. That plan will be reviewed after three weeks. |
| There will be new measures in schools. Cleaners will “work continuously throughout the day, including cleaning and disinfecting all high contact items regularly including school play equipment,” McGowan said. | There will be new measures in schools. Cleaners will “work continuously throughout the day, including cleaning and disinfecting all high contact items regularly including school play equipment,” McGowan said. |
| School swimming pools will be closed, excursions will be banned, and schools will use staggered start times and lunch times to limit contact between students. | School swimming pools will be closed, excursions will be banned, and schools will use staggered start times and lunch times to limit contact between students. |
| WA premier Mark McGowan has announced what he calls “a soft school opening” effective from Wednesday 29 April. | WA premier Mark McGowan has announced what he calls “a soft school opening” effective from Wednesday 29 April. |
| All students whose parents want them to attend school in person will be able to. Those who do not can still keep their children at home. | All students whose parents want them to attend school in person will be able to. Those who do not can still keep their children at home. |
| “On Tuesday, April 28, staff will return to school to finalise learning arrangements for term two,” McGowan says. “This will be a pupil free day for students. | “On Tuesday, April 28, staff will return to school to finalise learning arrangements for term two,” McGowan says. “This will be a pupil free day for students. |
| “On Wednesday, April 29 schools will be open for all children to go to school and be taught. All parents and carers can choose to send their children to school. If parents don’t feel comfortable sending their kids to school for whatever reason they will not be obligated to do so. However year 11 and 12 students are strongly encouraged to attend.” | “On Wednesday, April 29 schools will be open for all children to go to school and be taught. All parents and carers can choose to send their children to school. If parents don’t feel comfortable sending their kids to school for whatever reason they will not be obligated to do so. However year 11 and 12 students are strongly encouraged to attend.” |
| He says the reopening will be combined with more intense cleaning at schools, and stricter physical distancing. For example, parents can drop children at the school gate but can’t enter the school grounds. | He says the reopening will be combined with more intense cleaning at schools, and stricter physical distancing. For example, parents can drop children at the school gate but can’t enter the school grounds. |
| The deputy chief medical officer has criticised the World Health Organisation for being too slow to declare a pandemic, but said countries should still provide it with funding during the coronavirus crisis. | The deputy chief medical officer has criticised the World Health Organisation for being too slow to declare a pandemic, but said countries should still provide it with funding during the coronavirus crisis. |
| Kelly said a financially robust WHO was “crucial”. But he offered some clear criticism. | Kelly said a financially robust WHO was “crucial”. But he offered some clear criticism. |
| “The WHO has had a chequered history in some issues in the past and was criticised early on in relation to its closeness perhaps with China,” he says. “And its reluctance to call it a pandemic when it clearly was. | “The WHO has had a chequered history in some issues in the past and was criticised early on in relation to its closeness perhaps with China,” he says. “And its reluctance to call it a pandemic when it clearly was. |
| “[But] they definitely need funding and they need to be accountable for those funds ... they cannot do that work particularly in middle-income countries who are likely to be severely affected [without funds].” | “[But] they definitely need funding and they need to be accountable for those funds ... they cannot do that work particularly in middle-income countries who are likely to be severely affected [without funds].” |
| Kelly says that national cabinet will next week consider the issue of restarting some elective surgeries. | Kelly says that national cabinet will next week consider the issue of restarting some elective surgeries. |
| As for other restrictions he says: “I would imagine that starting small and building up would be the general principle that would be taken.” | As for other restrictions he says: “I would imagine that starting small and building up would be the general principle that would be taken.” |
| He flags a potential lifting of the 4 square metres per person rule, if the infection rate continues to slow. | He flags a potential lifting of the 4 square metres per person rule, if the infection rate continues to slow. |
| “Again it is a government decision, but if we look at what is happening in Europe at the moment and proposals in North America, they are sensing they are coming out of their much bigger and much more frightening epidemic then we have so fa experienced in Australia and they are the sort of approaches being done.” | “Again it is a government decision, but if we look at what is happening in Europe at the moment and proposals in North America, they are sensing they are coming out of their much bigger and much more frightening epidemic then we have so fa experienced in Australia and they are the sort of approaches being done.” |
| Kelly also said the app would be “based on what was used in Singapore”. | Kelly also said the app would be “based on what was used in Singapore”. |
| “What the app adds to [contact tracing], would be totally a consent-based process. They would have to download it. That phone would through Bluetooth technology would be able to identify other phones who have gone through that consent process, who have been in close proximity with someone who becomes a case. | “What the app adds to [contact tracing], would be totally a consent-based process. They would have to download it. That phone would through Bluetooth technology would be able to identify other phones who have gone through that consent process, who have been in close proximity with someone who becomes a case. |
| “Again, with the consent process, that information could be uploaded immediately to the public health unit, where the person who normally would have asked those questions, sometimes taken several hours to ask that question.” | “Again, with the consent process, that information could be uploaded immediately to the public health unit, where the person who normally would have asked those questions, sometimes taken several hours to ask that question.” |
| Paul Kelly, the deputy chief medical officer, has just said that the downloading of a potential coronavirus tracking app would be “totally consent-based”. | Paul Kelly, the deputy chief medical officer, has just said that the downloading of a potential coronavirus tracking app would be “totally consent-based”. |
| Earlier today, prime minister Scott Morrison did not rule out making it mandatory, but said his “preference” was for people to do so voluntarily. | Earlier today, prime minister Scott Morrison did not rule out making it mandatory, but said his “preference” was for people to do so voluntarily. |
| “I’ve always been a believer in the Australian people making the right decision so I think the voluntary approach at first is the way to go,” Kelly said. | “I’ve always been a believer in the Australian people making the right decision so I think the voluntary approach at first is the way to go,” Kelly said. |
| “We have work to do to make sure this is as good andsafe and cover of privacy concerns and so forth. We will start with voluntary and see where it goes.” | “We have work to do to make sure this is as good andsafe and cover of privacy concerns and so forth. We will start with voluntary and see where it goes.” |
| He also said that the app was just the technological extension of what is “standard practice for public health practitioners” already. He says we have contact tracing doctors – “disease detectives” – in “every public health unit in every state and territory”. | He also said that the app was just the technological extension of what is “standard practice for public health practitioners” already. He says we have contact tracing doctors – “disease detectives” – in “every public health unit in every state and territory”. |
| Deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly is speaking now. | Deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly is speaking now. |
| “We continue to be having less cases per day than in previous weeks,” he says. “We had the peak of the epidemic towards the end of last month” | “We continue to be having less cases per day than in previous weeks,” he says. “We had the peak of the epidemic towards the end of last month” |
| But he says the advice from the APPHC is “still to stay the course” when it comes to restrictions. | But he says the advice from the APPHC is “still to stay the course” when it comes to restrictions. |
| “This is not the time for us to decrease the things that we have done so far to successfully flatten that curve,” he says. “The next four weeks gives us some time to increase the capacity we have to cope with this disease.” | “This is not the time for us to decrease the things that we have done so far to successfully flatten that curve,” he says. “The next four weeks gives us some time to increase the capacity we have to cope with this disease.” |
| Hi all, Naaman Zhou here with the blog. Thanks to Amy Remeikis, as always, for her hard work. | Hi all, Naaman Zhou here with the blog. Thanks to Amy Remeikis, as always, for her hard work. |
| AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has spoken today to radio station 3AW about a potential “hub plan” to restart the league. That plan would split the league up into three groups, where teams are isolated in different states but can play each other. | AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has spoken today to radio station 3AW about a potential “hub plan” to restart the league. That plan would split the league up into three groups, where teams are isolated in different states but can play each other. |
| McLachlan said: “I don’t know where we’ll land on [hubs], there are a range of options.” | McLachlan said: “I don’t know where we’ll land on [hubs], there are a range of options.” |
| AAP reports that McLachlan did attempt to dispel misconceptions about the potential plan. | AAP reports that McLachlan did attempt to dispel misconceptions about the potential plan. |
| “But I do feel that hubs mean different things to different people and it can be applied differently,” he said. “People have thoughts of remote islands and different stuff but in its simplest form it’s enhanced quarantine measures for if and when we get back on the park.” | “But I do feel that hubs mean different things to different people and it can be applied differently,” he said. “People have thoughts of remote islands and different stuff but in its simplest form it’s enhanced quarantine measures for if and when we get back on the park.” |
| It’s been a slower day than we have seen this week, with Australia well into the suppression stage of its response. | It’s been a slower day than we have seen this week, with Australia well into the suppression stage of its response. |
| Cases may be dropping, but we have seen how quickly flare ups can happen – such as the Newmarch Anglicare house in western Sydney, and north-west Tasmania. | Cases may be dropping, but we have seen how quickly flare ups can happen – such as the Newmarch Anglicare house in western Sydney, and north-west Tasmania. |
| I’ll hand you over to Naaman Zhou, who will take you through the afternoon briefing from Paul Kelly, who will give the national update in about 15 minutes. | I’ll hand you over to Naaman Zhou, who will take you through the afternoon briefing from Paul Kelly, who will give the national update in about 15 minutes. |
| I’ll be back next week. Thank you again for joining me this week. Take care of you. | I’ll be back next week. Thank you again for joining me this week. Take care of you. |
| WA is still running its trial of offering empty hotel rooms to the homeless and vulnerable. | WA is still running its trial of offering empty hotel rooms to the homeless and vulnerable. |
| Now it looks like NSW has a similar program underway. From AAP: | Now it looks like NSW has a similar program underway. From AAP: |
| Women and children fleeing domestic violence and those sleeping rough in NSW during the COVID-19 outbreak will now have greater access to temporary accommodation. | Women and children fleeing domestic violence and those sleeping rough in NSW during the COVID-19 outbreak will now have greater access to temporary accommodation. |
| Hotels can now register available rooms through a centralised online forum launched by Homelessness NSW, Y Foundations and Domestic Violence NSW. | Hotels can now register available rooms through a centralised online forum launched by Homelessness NSW, Y Foundations and Domestic Violence NSW. |
| It comes as support services and frontline workers warn the COVID-19 restrictions will result in a rise of domestic violence. | It comes as support services and frontline workers warn the COVID-19 restrictions will result in a rise of domestic violence. |
| Domestic Violence NSW said it received an overwhelming response from hotels offering accommodation. | Domestic Violence NSW said it received an overwhelming response from hotels offering accommodation. |
| “More resources and therapeutic supports have moved online, whilst refuges are safe, have vacancies and are providing intensive levels of wrap-around support,” spokeswoman Renata Field said in a statement on Friday. | “More resources and therapeutic supports have moved online, whilst refuges are safe, have vacancies and are providing intensive levels of wrap-around support,” spokeswoman Renata Field said in a statement on Friday. |
| Ms Field said the additional accommodation would help relieve pressure points while helping refuges and shelters that need more rooms to meet social distancing and self-isolation requirements. | Ms Field said the additional accommodation would help relieve pressure points while helping refuges and shelters that need more rooms to meet social distancing and self-isolation requirements. |
| Anyone seeking temporary accommodation who is not already in contact with a support service worker is advised to contact Link2Home, who will have access to the database of available rooms. | Anyone seeking temporary accommodation who is not already in contact with a support service worker is advised to contact Link2Home, who will have access to the database of available rooms. |