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Coronavirus live news Australia: three NRL players stood down for refusing to have flu shots – latest update Coronavirus live news Australia: states begin easing restrictions from tonight after national cabinet meeting today – latest update
(32 minutes later)
Queensland chief health officer made announcement after discussions with NRL, while Scott Morrison says national cabinet has agreed to three-step plan to ease restrictions. Follow all the news, live ACT to allow gatherings of 10 people from midnight, with other states to roll back restrictions from Monday. Follow all the news, live
The Business Council is pleased with the roadmap laid out by the prime minister Scott Morrison today.
“The National Cabinet has laid out a clear roadmap to give the community and business confidence while also respecting the important advice from our health professionals,” said chief executive Jennifer Westacott.
“Business will continue to work closely with governments on plans and protocols to ensure the economy opens up safely so that the health of our staff, customers and suppliers is protected.
“People can have confidence that businesses across Australia are putting in place detailed plans across their industries, so they can operate safely, but get people back to their work and their lives as quickly as possible.
“We thank the entire Australian community for pulling together so effectively to get us to this milestone and congratulate the National Cabinet on its continued willingness to respond and adapt to this evolving situation.
“Australians have pulled together to contain COVID-19 and we’ll need the same focus, co-operation and determination to set ourselves up for a strong recovery as we ease restrictions.”
Our Watch, which campaigns to prevent violence against women, says it is concerned about the number of women killed by a partner or ex-partner in the past week.
Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly said: “Since March, Google searches on domestic violence have increased by 75 per cent and the Family Court has reported an increase up to 40 per cent in urgent applications.”
“These recent tragic murders are one horrifying part of a huge spectrum of violence against women in our society.
“We know that while this violence takes many forms, the underlying driver is gender inequality.
“We also know that crises tend to disproportionately affect women, often lead to increases in violence against them, and exacerbate existing gender inequalities across society.”
“If we are not considered, our response to Covid-19 could unintentionally reverse decades of progress towards gender equality.
“Now more than ever, governments, workplaces, and communities must remain committed to this goal.”
1800 Respect – call 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au
Lifeline – call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
AAP reports that the NT is keeping to its own plans for easing restrictions.
Further describing stage two, Gutwein says it would allow people to move around the state, including camping, overnight boats and holiday shacks.
Gyms and bootcamps would be open to 20 people, while beauty services including tattoo parlours would also be allowed.
Indoor sport would also be allowed.
Note: This is Gutwein describing the possibility rules from after 15 June, if the advice allows it.
Gutwein is laying out the state’s roadmap.
He says from 25 May, primary school students will return to school, as well as year 11 and 12 students.
From 9 June, high school students from year 7 to 10 will also return to school.
From 15 June, the state will move to stage 2, subject to health advice.
“On June 15, gatherings will increase to 20people at a time, both indoor and outdoor areas including restaurants, cafes, cinemas, museums, galleries, historic sites, religious gatherings and weddings,” he says.
From that point, it is expected up to 50 people would be allowed to attend a funeral.
Gutwein says Tasmania will move to Stage 1 on 18 May, subject to public health advice.
That would mean:
Indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people.
Up to five visitors to a home.
Restaurants, cafes and other venues can open for up to 10 people at a time.
Border controls will remain in place.
Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein just addressed the media.
He says from Monday, the government will ease some restrictions.
That includes:
20 people will be able to attend funerals, up from 10
Aged care visits will move to one visit per week
National parks to open for exercise, but only for people who live within 30km
We’re getting some reaction to the government’s decision to delay the recommendations of the banking royal commission.We’re getting some reaction to the government’s decision to delay the recommendations of the banking royal commission.
“These reforms are crucial to help protect consumers from financial service industry practices that were shown to have caused severe and long-lasting harm to people across Australia,” said the Consumer Action Law Centre chief executive Gerard Brody.“These reforms are crucial to help protect consumers from financial service industry practices that were shown to have caused severe and long-lasting harm to people across Australia,” said the Consumer Action Law Centre chief executive Gerard Brody.
“We appreciate that the fallout from Covid-19 has forced the government to drastically change its priorities and focus in the short-term. We consider a six-month deferral of these much-needed reforms a sensible compromise.”“We appreciate that the fallout from Covid-19 has forced the government to drastically change its priorities and focus in the short-term. We consider a six-month deferral of these much-needed reforms a sensible compromise.”
“Any further delay creates a greater risk that progress towards these reforms will be lost and consumers – particularly those most vulnerable – will continue to suffer.”“Any further delay creates a greater risk that progress towards these reforms will be lost and consumers – particularly those most vulnerable – will continue to suffer.”
Thanks to Ben for his efforts today. I’ll guide you through to the start of the weekend. Hope you can stick with us.Thanks to Ben for his efforts today. I’ll guide you through to the start of the weekend. Hope you can stick with us.
Thanks for your company for the last couple of hours. It’s now over to Luke Henriques-Gomes to take you onward.Thanks for your company for the last couple of hours. It’s now over to Luke Henriques-Gomes to take you onward.
Go well.Go well.
From AAP:From AAP:
Three Gold Coast Titans players, including Bryce Cartwright, have been stood down by the NRL for refusing to take the flu shot. Queensland chief health officer Jeanette Young made the announcement on Friday after discussions with the NRL over its controversial flu vaccination policy. Three Gold Coast Titans players, including Bryce Cartwright, have been stood down by the NRL for refusing to take the flu shot. Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young made the announcement on Friday after discussions with the NRL over its controversial flu vaccination policy.
“I’ve had a discussion with [the NRL] this morning and they’ve stood down those three players at the moment, until we work through what it means,” Young said.“I’ve had a discussion with [the NRL] this morning and they’ve stood down those three players at the moment, until we work through what it means,” Young said.
There are now eight more coronavirus cases linked to the Cedar Meats processing facility – a total of 71 in the cluster.There are now eight more coronavirus cases linked to the Cedar Meats processing facility – a total of 71 in the cluster.
The Victorian chief health officer, Brett Sutton, says:The Victorian chief health officer, Brett Sutton, says:
The former prime minister Kevin Rudd has written for the Guardian, comparing thinly-sourced claims linking the origins of the coronavirus to a Chinese lab to the “evidence” that led us blindly into the Iraq war; the supposed (but non-existent) weapons of mass destruction.The former prime minister Kevin Rudd has written for the Guardian, comparing thinly-sourced claims linking the origins of the coronavirus to a Chinese lab to the “evidence” that led us blindly into the Iraq war; the supposed (but non-existent) weapons of mass destruction.
Rudd writes:Rudd writes:
Oh and while we’re on the topic, don’t call the footy anti-vaxxers “conscientious objectors”.Oh and while we’re on the topic, don’t call the footy anti-vaxxers “conscientious objectors”.
That kind of assumes there is a level of consciousness about ignoring medical science.That kind of assumes there is a level of consciousness about ignoring medical science.
The consumer advocacy group Choice has backed the government’s deferral of the recommendations of the banking royal commission.The consumer advocacy group Choice has backed the government’s deferral of the recommendations of the banking royal commission.
Choice CEO Alan Kirkland:Choice CEO Alan Kirkland:
Don’t kiss the football.
Restrictions also set for a staged easing in South Australia, the premier Steven Marshall says.
The state’s plan goes a bit further than those we’ve heard from so far. It allows dining in outdoor dining at restaurants and cafes, for groups of up to 10 people, from Monday.
The acting CEO of the NSW Port Authority told her staff not to send an employee onto the Ruby Princess due to coronavirus concerns, an inquiry has heard.
Emma Fensom told the special inquiry today that on 18 March, the night before the Ruby Princess docked in Sydney Harbour, she told the harbourmaster to “deny pilotage” for the ship – meaning they would not send an employee on board to help it dock.
She said that earlier in the night, the duty harbourmaster, Cameron Butchard told her that Royal Prince Alfred hospital had set aside “two Covid beds” for sick passengers.
The inquiry heard previously that the port agent for Carnival Australia, who operate the ship, called NSW Ambulance to book paramedics.Fensom told the inquiry that after Butchard told her about the ambulances, she told him to “deny pilotage” until they had more information.
She also told the inquiry that Paul Mifsud, a manager of Carnival Australia, told her that “NSW Health had not said the ambulances were for Covd-19”. Mifsud also told her “nor has NSW Health said there is Covid-19 on board”, she said.
Fensom said she did not try and contact anyone from NSW Health herself.
The commissioner, Bret Walker SC, asked her whether everything that Mifsud told her was “hearsay”, in that they were things he was told by someone else.
She agreed with his proposition that “All he as doing was passing on what somebody had told him.”
Fensom was also asked by counsel assisting, Richard Beasley SC, whether she was “concerned that there wasn’t someone from NSW health for contact” that night. She said she was concerned.
Chief minister, Andrew Barr has announced the Australian Capital Territory will be easing restrictions from midnight, allowing gatherings of up to 10 people in indoor and outdoor settings.
Barr advised Canberrans to avoid large crowds, keep 1.5m apart from others, continue to practice good hand hygiene and to “stay home” from work or school if you are sick.
Some news on the ACT loosening its restrictions:
Queensland’s reopening plan is quite comprehensive.
Stage 1 from 15 May
Stage 2 from 12 June
Stage 3 from 10 July
The final phase appears to allow for the potential resumption of interstate travel – ie opening the closed border at the Tweed.
The federal government has just announced it is delaying the implementation of the findings of the banking royal commission for six months.
We’ll have more detail on that soon, but a statement from the treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, says it will allow the financial services industry to focus their efforts on planning for the economic recovery.
There is a “clear Queensland plan” to return to normality, the premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says.
Starting Saturday week, the following will be allowed.
Gatherings in homes with a maximum of five people.
Gathering of 10 people in other places.
Opening beauty salons (“good news for the ladies”, says the premier.
Weddings can have 10 guests.
Funerals can have 20 guests indoors, 30 outdoors.
Open homes will be allowed.
Lagoons open for swimmers.
Dining in pubs and cafes in outback areas (where there are no cases) limited to 20 people.
The next stages will increase travel distances allowed and open more businesses in time for the June school holidays.
And here’s the Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk.
She says there’s no new cases overnight.
Hello all, and thanks to Michael McGowan for his contribution as we veer into another afternoon of constant updates and occasional sad reminders that it’s Friday afternoon, but we won’t be at the pub later.
Expecting Queensland’s premier, health minister and the chief health office up in a few minutes.
The big question they should expect is about the NRL’s return and whether the code’s cluster of anti-vaxxers will be allowed to play in the state if they refuse a flu shot.
Strap yourself in and here we go.