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Australia coronavirus update live: NRL announces it will restart play on 28 May – latest news Australia coronavirus update live: NRL announces it will restart play on 28 May – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Energy minister Angus Taylor says ‘now is the time to buy fuel’ as Senate committee into government’s response to Covid-19 crisis prepares for first hearing. Follow liveEnergy minister Angus Taylor says ‘now is the time to buy fuel’ as Senate committee into government’s response to Covid-19 crisis prepares for first hearing. Follow live
Terrible news on the crash on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway. Four on-duty police officers have died.
Read the full report here:
It’s Jimmy Barnes time again.It’s Jimmy Barnes time again.
The rock legend has been releasing sweet musical treats from his lounge room. However, tonight he is playing the bagpipes (I’m joking, I love bagpipes).The rock legend has been releasing sweet musical treats from his lounge room. However, tonight he is playing the bagpipes (I’m joking, I love bagpipes).
South Australia is encouraging children to return to school for term 2, starting on Monday 27 April.South Australia is encouraging children to return to school for term 2, starting on Monday 27 April.
There’s been a major multi-vehicle crash on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway. The road is closed in both directions and police are telling people to avoid the route.There’s been a major multi-vehicle crash on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway. The road is closed in both directions and police are telling people to avoid the route.
Police vehicles are reportedly involved, and there are unconfirmed reports the crash may have been fatal.Police vehicles are reportedly involved, and there are unconfirmed reports the crash may have been fatal.
A little earlier this afternoon the NRL announced it would “definitely” resume its season on 28 May. The league says teams will start training from 4 May. But there are lots of unanswered questions over the announcement.A little earlier this afternoon the NRL announced it would “definitely” resume its season on 28 May. The league says teams will start training from 4 May. But there are lots of unanswered questions over the announcement.
In a press conference, Wayne Pearce, the Balmain legend tasked with heading up the league’s grandly titled “Project Apollo” to get the season running again, said the NRL had achieved “a lot more clarity around the medical process and what those protocols are” and that “government authorities” were “very supportive” of their plans.In a press conference, Wayne Pearce, the Balmain legend tasked with heading up the league’s grandly titled “Project Apollo” to get the season running again, said the NRL had achieved “a lot more clarity around the medical process and what those protocols are” and that “government authorities” were “very supportive” of their plans.
What he didn’t say was what those protocols were, and which government authorities the league has been talking to. Basically, who in the government has given the league sign-off to begin playing again?What he didn’t say was what those protocols were, and which government authorities the league has been talking to. Basically, who in the government has given the league sign-off to begin playing again?
I’ve been trying to find out this afternoon, with little joy.I’ve been trying to find out this afternoon, with little joy.
We know that the NSW police commissioner, Mick Fuller, who is in charge of the state’s response to Covid-19, previously wrote to the NRL chairman Peter V’landys saying there was no legal obstacle for the NRL’s plans to resume playing despite strict public health orders.We know that the NSW police commissioner, Mick Fuller, who is in charge of the state’s response to Covid-19, previously wrote to the NRL chairman Peter V’landys saying there was no legal obstacle for the NRL’s plans to resume playing despite strict public health orders.
That’s because the league was given an exemption under the original PHOs issued last month, and stopped playing matches voluntarily.That’s because the league was given an exemption under the original PHOs issued last month, and stopped playing matches voluntarily.
However in the letter Fuller also said the league would have to develop protocols to demonstrate it could resume safely. The premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said something similar when she was asked about it last week.However in the letter Fuller also said the league would have to develop protocols to demonstrate it could resume safely. The premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said something similar when she was asked about it last week.
So who has signed off on the protocols? NSW Health still hasn’t responded to my queries, and the NSW police seems to think there’s nothing to be signed off on.So who has signed off on the protocols? NSW Health still hasn’t responded to my queries, and the NSW police seems to think there’s nothing to be signed off on.
Here’s what a spokeswoman told me:Here’s what a spokeswoman told me:
Perhaps we’ll hear more from the NSW government later tonight or tomorrow, but it seems odd that neither the NRL nor the state government has explained who is in charge of making this decision.Perhaps we’ll hear more from the NSW government later tonight or tomorrow, but it seems odd that neither the NRL nor the state government has explained who is in charge of making this decision.
The NRL is also still awaiting clearance from the federal and New Zealand governments for the New Zealand Warriors to arrive in Australia on May 3, a day before the rest of the competition resumes training.The NRL is also still awaiting clearance from the federal and New Zealand governments for the New Zealand Warriors to arrive in Australia on May 3, a day before the rest of the competition resumes training.
The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has also previously said she would not look kindly on the three teams from her state travelling back and forth to NSW for matches.The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has also previously said she would not look kindly on the three teams from her state travelling back and forth to NSW for matches.
Need a distraction from Covid-19? Bit of a night owl? Like shooting stars?Need a distraction from Covid-19? Bit of a night owl? Like shooting stars?
Well, if you’re still up at midnight and you can get a view of the skies to the northeast, you might catch the Lyrids meteor shower.Well, if you’re still up at midnight and you can get a view of the skies to the northeast, you might catch the Lyrids meteor shower.
People have been seeing the Lyrids – debris from Comet Thatcher – for more than 2,700 years. The further north you are in Australia, the better your chances are of seeing them.People have been seeing the Lyrids – debris from Comet Thatcher – for more than 2,700 years. The further north you are in Australia, the better your chances are of seeing them.
But you can look here to find out if you’ll be able to see them where you are.But you can look here to find out if you’ll be able to see them where you are.
Don’t go anywhere or do anything that the current movement restrictions wouldn’t allow you to do. Give your eyes a chance to get used to the dark and stare at the northeast sky.Don’t go anywhere or do anything that the current movement restrictions wouldn’t allow you to do. Give your eyes a chance to get used to the dark and stare at the northeast sky.
Another interesting discussion arising from Victorian health minister Jenny Mikakos’ press conference is the split between public and private health for elective surgery.Another interesting discussion arising from Victorian health minister Jenny Mikakos’ press conference is the split between public and private health for elective surgery.
They’ve agreed to allow around 25% of elective surgeries to now take place from next week. That includes private hospitals, but the state government paid private hospitals to provide capacity to the public system in the event it is needed as a result of coronavirus.They’ve agreed to allow around 25% of elective surgeries to now take place from next week. That includes private hospitals, but the state government paid private hospitals to provide capacity to the public system in the event it is needed as a result of coronavirus.
In any case, it sounds now like people on the public wait list for elective surgeries could get preferential treatment over people waiting for surgery in the private hospital system because the state government bought capacity in the private system.In any case, it sounds now like people on the public wait list for elective surgeries could get preferential treatment over people waiting for surgery in the private hospital system because the state government bought capacity in the private system.
It will depend on the surgery, however. Mikakos noted that some of the procedures that will now be allowed, eg IVF or dental work, could still largely be happening in the private system.It will depend on the surgery, however. Mikakos noted that some of the procedures that will now be allowed, eg IVF or dental work, could still largely be happening in the private system.
When she was asked what the point was, then, of having private health insurance at a time like this when you’re not getting any benefit out of it, she said part of the government funding for the private sector was to keep the private hospitals running at this time.When she was asked what the point was, then, of having private health insurance at a time like this when you’re not getting any benefit out of it, she said part of the government funding for the private sector was to keep the private hospitals running at this time.
Good evening. Graham Readfearn here taking you through the final hours of our live coronavirus coverage.Good evening. Graham Readfearn here taking you through the final hours of our live coronavirus coverage.
A quick check around the updates from states and territories today shows very low numbers of new cases of Covid-19 being reported.A quick check around the updates from states and territories today shows very low numbers of new cases of Covid-19 being reported.
There were no new cases reported by Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory or the ACT. New South Wales had five and South Australia and Tasmania both reported one new case each.There were no new cases reported by Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory or the ACT. New South Wales had five and South Australia and Tasmania both reported one new case each.
Victoria did record two new cases, but took two cases off as they were reclassified to other states. So that’s no net gain for Victoria.Victoria did record two new cases, but took two cases off as they were reclassified to other states. So that’s no net gain for Victoria.
Coronavirus has also affected the live cattle export trade out of northern Australia, with the two biggest markets, Indonesia and Vietnam, reporting the biggest price crash since 2011.Coronavirus has also affected the live cattle export trade out of northern Australia, with the two biggest markets, Indonesia and Vietnam, reporting the biggest price crash since 2011.
That crash was caused by the Four Corners exposé.That crash was caused by the Four Corners exposé.
This is from ABC Rural:This is from ABC Rural:
And with that, I’ll hand over to my colleague Graham Readfearn.And with that, I’ll hand over to my colleague Graham Readfearn.
Stay well, and if you buy a new bike remember to only accelerate going out of a corner and not into one.Stay well, and if you buy a new bike remember to only accelerate going out of a corner and not into one.
More than 40 Aboriginal people in Western Australia have tested positive to Covid-19, according to Prof Fiona Stanley from the Telethon Kids Institute.More than 40 Aboriginal people in Western Australia have tested positive to Covid-19, according to Prof Fiona Stanley from the Telethon Kids Institute.
Speaking to the Australian Academy of science, Stanley said:Speaking to the Australian Academy of science, Stanley said:
Stanley said Aboriginal people who test positive in remote communities have a lower chance of survival, because “there aren’t any respirators out there, no intensive care.”Stanley said Aboriginal people who test positive in remote communities have a lower chance of survival, because “there aren’t any respirators out there, no intensive care.”
Stanley said the lack of available health services for Aboriginal people would be “almost a joke if it wasn’t so very serious.” There are about 850,0000 Aboriginal people in Australia, of whom about 90,000 live in WA.Stanley said the lack of available health services for Aboriginal people would be “almost a joke if it wasn’t so very serious.” There are about 850,0000 Aboriginal people in Australia, of whom about 90,000 live in WA.
Stanley said the pandemic had “exposed our appalling inability to actually improve Aboriginal health outcomes” but she hoped it would lead to more Aboriginal people being trained as health professionals.Stanley said the pandemic had “exposed our appalling inability to actually improve Aboriginal health outcomes” but she hoped it would lead to more Aboriginal people being trained as health professionals.
Delighted, and slightly worried, that the Greens have agreed with my driving advice.Delighted, and slightly worried, that the Greens have agreed with my driving advice.
A mural of Ai Fen, one of the first doctors to raise the alarm about a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, has been painted in Melbourne by artist Amanda Newman.A mural of Ai Fen, one of the first doctors to raise the alarm about a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, has been painted in Melbourne by artist Amanda Newman.
You may have noticed I misattributed an earlier press release from the office of Greens leader Adam Bandt to former Greens leader Richard Di Natale. Apologies, Adam.You may have noticed I misattributed an earlier press release from the office of Greens leader Adam Bandt to former Greens leader Richard Di Natale. Apologies, Adam.
Have you bought a bicycle since lockdown began?Have you bought a bicycle since lockdown began?
You would not be alone. Bikes are, according to one bike retailer, “the new toilet paper”.You would not be alone. Bikes are, according to one bike retailer, “the new toilet paper”.
Grant Kaplan, manager of Giant Sydney, a bike store in Sydney, told Guardian Australia’s Justine Landis-Hanley:Grant Kaplan, manager of Giant Sydney, a bike store in Sydney, told Guardian Australia’s Justine Landis-Hanley:
I have not panic bought a bike but I am monitoring an online horse auction so probably can’t talk.I have not panic bought a bike but I am monitoring an online horse auction so probably can’t talk.
The manager of a south Melbourne bike store told Justine:The manager of a south Melbourne bike store told Justine:
Read the full story here.Read the full story here.
ACCC allows retailers to collectively negotiate rentsACCC allows retailers to collectively negotiate rents
The competition regulator has given retailers permission to collectively negotiate with landlords about rent during the coronavirus crisis.The competition regulator has given retailers permission to collectively negotiate with landlords about rent during the coronavirus crisis.
With many shops closed, and those that do remain open hit by a dramatic fall in revenue as shoppers stay home, how much rent should — or can — be paid has become a major battleground between retailers and landlords.Some retailers, including Solomon Lew’s Premier Investments group, have unilaterally stopped paying rent while their shops are closed.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it has authorised the Australian Retail Association and its members to negotiate rents collectively and to:With many shops closed, and those that do remain open hit by a dramatic fall in revenue as shoppers stay home, how much rent should — or can — be paid has become a major battleground between retailers and landlords.Some retailers, including Solomon Lew’s Premier Investments group, have unilaterally stopped paying rent while their shops are closed.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it has authorised the Australian Retail Association and its members to negotiate rents collectively and to:
Said ACCC chairman Rod Sims:Said ACCC chairman Rod Sims:
It’s the latest in a series of authorisations issued by the ACCC allowing conduct that would normally be against the law because it was anti-competitive.It’s the latest in a series of authorisations issued by the ACCC allowing conduct that would normally be against the law because it was anti-competitive.