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Coronavirus live update Australia: premiers from Victoria, NSW and Queensland join Q&A to discuss Covid-19 – latest news Coronavirus Q&A live: Victoria, NSW and Queensland premiers join ABC panel tonight to discuss Covid-19
(32 minutes later)
State premiers Daniel Andrews, Gladys Berejiklian and Annastacia Palaszczuk join Q&A host Hamish Macdonald as Victoria and Queensland plan to lift lockdown restrictions. Follow live updates State premiers Daniel Andrews, Gladys Berejiklian and Annastacia Palaszczuk join Q+A host Hamish Macdonald as Vic and Qld plan to lift lockdown restrictions. Follow live updates
The next questions is from Catherine Kopec in Burwood, Victoria, about the outbreak at Cedar Meats.
What will you do to ensure employees, including teachers, are safe to go to work? What will you do to guarantee that employers follow strict guidelines?
Andrews says “we’re going to see further outbreaks” and the key to managing them was a lot of testing and rapid contact tracing.
Asked why the government took so long to publicly identify Cedar Meats as the site of an outbreak, Andrews says deciding to identify a place of work as the site of an outbreak is a matter for the public health team.
He said there would be “learnings all the way along” in terms of how to appropriately manage localised outbreaks. He praises both the public health team and the abattoir workers.
The next question is about Newmarch House aged care home. By allowing sick residents to remain out of hospital and in the residential aged care home, the questioner says, it has increased the risk for healthy residents at the home.
How does a sick person’s desire to stay out of hospital override the rights of those who are well and at risk of contracting the virus and even dying?
Berejiklian says it’s a “vexed moral and ethical questions”.
She says that the aged care regulator stepped in to monitor the situation, and repeats that it would be inappropriate for politicians or the national cabinet to step in or override health advice.
She said the expectation is that everyone who manages an aged care home assumes they are going to have a Covid-19 outbreak and has a plan in place.
To the Ruby Princess. Olympia Kwitowsi from Salisbury in Queensland asks Berejiklian why people should be listening to her, given her government let that cruise ship in.
Berejiklian makes a quip that Olympia should ask her own premier, is reminded by McDonald that 10% of Australia’s coronavirus cases come from the Ruby Princess.
She acknowledges that, and says she does not want to cut across the commission of inquiry or the police investigation.
This reply is a bit of a mess. Berejiklian keeps repeating that “thirteen out of 14 disembarkments were successful in New South Wales”.
A pity the 14th was the Ruby Princess.
I’m not going to promise there won’t be further mistakes. There might be in my state and maybe elsewhere, but we have to pick ourselves up and move forward. A mistake-free pandemic is impossible, it would be miraculous. We take learnings and move forward but I can’t promise there won’t be other mistakes into the future. We need to make sure we have the social distancing and contact tracing in place to protect our citizens as much as possible.
Berejiklian is asked why she was confident that students could safely return to school in NSW from this week.
She said the advice was the biggest risk was transmission between teachers, and NSW had spent weeks getting PPE and sanitary equipment in schools
Next question is from Tori Hill in Malvern, Victoria. Why can’t kids in Victoria return to school?
Andrews is not really able to say why the rules are different on returning to school in Victoria than in NSW or other states, but he says by the end of the term “I think most states will finish up in about the same place.”
He says that “every state’s in a different position”.
McDonald asks Andrews to tell parents when they might expect to have their kids back in schools in Victoria, so they can plan. Andrews says he won’t announce that on Q&A.
The next question is about the protests that were in Melbourne yesterday, at which 10 people (from a crowd of about 250) were arrested.
Andrews says it was an “ugly scene” and while he supports peaceful protest, this wasn’t that.
If it’s not peaceful, it’s not a proper legitimate protest. We saw police injured. That’s something that we can never accept.
Berejiklian:
Andrews responds by talking about Victoria’s testing quota, which Hamish says was not the question.
Andrews says he was unhappy to see images of a number of people in Victoria at shopping centres potentially buying things they don’t need (how do you know, Dan?).
He says we have just one chance to get this right and if he had to, he would tighten the restrictions again.
Andrews:
The first question is from Kirsten Armstrong in Maroubra, NSW. It’s basically a dixer.
Gladys Berejiklian responds first, because it’s her state.
I’ll summarise her response, because it’s long and none of it’s new. She says you expect case numbers to rise as you lift some restrictions, cases have fallen significantly since March, it’s all about finding a “healthy balance”, the situation will be monitored to figure out what is manageable over the next few weeks.
Are you prepared to go back into lockdown if numbers increase, Hamish asks?
So, we’ve got NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian in the room with host Hamish McDonald and Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on a fancy ABC version of Zoom.So, we’ve got NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian in the room with host Hamish McDonald and Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on a fancy ABC version of Zoom.
I have moved the cat off my lap and am ready to go.I have moved the cat off my lap and am ready to go.
Alright, here we go. I have a cup of tea, you might want to go ahead and indulge in something stronger. The bad show will begin shortly.Alright, here we go. I have a cup of tea, you might want to go ahead and indulge in something stronger. The bad show will begin shortly.
We will be providing live coverage of state premiers Daniel Andrews, Gladys Berejiklian and Annastacia Palaszczuk on the ABC’s Q&A program at 9.30pm. But before we get there, here’s what’s happened today:We will be providing live coverage of state premiers Daniel Andrews, Gladys Berejiklian and Annastacia Palaszczuk on the ABC’s Q&A program at 9.30pm. But before we get there, here’s what’s happened today:
Victoria announced it would relax its restrictions from midnight tomorrow, allowing people to have up to five visitors in their home and outdoor gatherings of up to 10. Regional daytrips are allowed but not staying overnight.Victoria announced it would relax its restrictions from midnight tomorrow, allowing people to have up to five visitors in their home and outdoor gatherings of up to 10. Regional daytrips are allowed but not staying overnight.
AFL training is resuming from Wednesday.AFL training is resuming from Wednesday.
Hugs are still not recommended.Hugs are still not recommended.
Another resident of Newmarch House has died, bringing the death toll at that facility to 17. This resident had tested positive to Covid-19, then tested negative twice before they died.Another resident of Newmarch House has died, bringing the death toll at that facility to 17. This resident had tested positive to Covid-19, then tested negative twice before they died.
The CovidSafe app now has 5.5 million registered users and is “operational and working”.The CovidSafe app now has 5.5 million registered users and is “operational and working”.
Scott Morrison has indicated jobkeeper might be “adjusted” to provide more targeted (read: less broad) support. Labor says it may back it if the savings are redirected at workers who missed out.Scott Morrison has indicated jobkeeper might be “adjusted” to provide more targeted (read: less broad) support. Labor says it may back it if the savings are redirected at workers who missed out.
Morrison still doesn’t want to talk about sports rorts.Morrison still doesn’t want to talk about sports rorts.
And he says he would be “extremely disappointed” if China’s proposed barley tariffs were in response to Australia’s push for an independent investigation into the origins of Covid-19.And he says he would be “extremely disappointed” if China’s proposed barley tariffs were in response to Australia’s push for an independent investigation into the origins of Covid-19.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has laid out his vision for a post-Covid world, saying he doesn’t want things to just snap back.Labor leader Anthony Albanese has laid out his vision for a post-Covid world, saying he doesn’t want things to just snap back.
Carnival Cruises’s port operations manager has told the Ruby Princess inquiry that they didn’t implement a 1.5 metre distancing policy between disembarking guests because he “does not remember it being a requirement at the time”.Carnival Cruises’s port operations manager has told the Ruby Princess inquiry that they didn’t implement a 1.5 metre distancing policy between disembarking guests because he “does not remember it being a requirement at the time”.
Across the ditch, New Zealand has moved to stage two restrictions, meaning schools have reopened, workers are back in offices, and restaurants and shops are reopening.Across the ditch, New Zealand has moved to stage two restrictions, meaning schools have reopened, workers are back in offices, and restaurants and shops are reopening.
You can follow our rolling global coverage here and read a more detailed summary of the day’s news in Australia here. I’ll see you in an hour or so.You can follow our rolling global coverage here and read a more detailed summary of the day’s news in Australia here. I’ll see you in an hour or so.
Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy is currently on ABC’s 7.30 program.Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy is currently on ABC’s 7.30 program.
It’s a repetition of the lines he said yesterday, and his deputies were saying today.It’s a repetition of the lines he said yesterday, and his deputies were saying today.
Asked what keeps him awake at night, Murphy says:Asked what keeps him awake at night, Murphy says:
The eased restrictions in NSW do not actually come into effect until Friday, but you have been allowed to surf — where beaches are open — for some time. “Exercise” is not narrowly defined in the public health orders.The eased restrictions in NSW do not actually come into effect until Friday, but you have been allowed to surf — where beaches are open — for some time. “Exercise” is not narrowly defined in the public health orders.
But it certainly feels less locked down this week, which may or not be a good thing.But it certainly feels less locked down this week, which may or not be a good thing.
The problem throughout the lockdown period has not been individuals going to the beach, but crowds, or apparent crowds, at beaches. So you can go to the beach for exercise purposes provided no one else has the same idea.The problem throughout the lockdown period has not been individuals going to the beach, but crowds, or apparent crowds, at beaches. So you can go to the beach for exercise purposes provided no one else has the same idea.
Paul Karp and Luke Henriques-Gomes have been looking into reports the Morrison government is considering “adjusting” the $1,500 jobkeeper payment, just days after the money actually started flowing.Paul Karp and Luke Henriques-Gomes have been looking into reports the Morrison government is considering “adjusting” the $1,500 jobkeeper payment, just days after the money actually started flowing.
And there are reports that some employers are exploiting the scheme. They write:And there are reports that some employers are exploiting the scheme. They write:
In sad news:In sad news:
Forget golf – Melbourne’s true favourite pastime, purchasing real estate, will be able to resume from Wednesday.Forget golf – Melbourne’s true favourite pastime, purchasing real estate, will be able to resume from Wednesday.
And the Real Estate Institute of Victoria is excited.And the Real Estate Institute of Victoria is excited.
Auctions and open-for-inspections will be restricted to 10 people (significantly reducing rubbernecking) and the REIV is “encouraging” real estate agents and anyone attending an auction or open house to download the Covidsafe app. The app isn’t compulsory, and real estate agents will also be taking people’s contact details for contact tracing purposes.Auctions and open-for-inspections will be restricted to 10 people (significantly reducing rubbernecking) and the REIV is “encouraging” real estate agents and anyone attending an auction or open house to download the Covidsafe app. The app isn’t compulsory, and real estate agents will also be taking people’s contact details for contact tracing purposes.
REIV president Leah Calnan said:REIV president Leah Calnan said:
Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, says Australia’s relationship with China is “not in a great place”.Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, says Australia’s relationship with China is “not in a great place”.
Speaking to ABC TV this afternoon, Wong said the relationship would benefit from “consistency and discipline and leadership” from the prime minister and foreign minister rather than backbencher-led commentary.Some Coalition backbenchers, including George Christensen and Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, have been pushing for Australia to take a hard line in its relations with China. Wong also called on the government to provide detailed briefings to parliamentarians on how Australia is handling the China relationship:Speaking to ABC TV this afternoon, Wong said the relationship would benefit from “consistency and discipline and leadership” from the prime minister and foreign minister rather than backbencher-led commentary.Some Coalition backbenchers, including George Christensen and Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, have been pushing for Australia to take a hard line in its relations with China. Wong also called on the government to provide detailed briefings to parliamentarians on how Australia is handling the China relationship:
The call comes in the wake of a diplomatic dispute between the two countries over Australia’s call for an international investigation into the origin and handling of Covid-19, which China took to be directed against it.The call comes in the wake of a diplomatic dispute between the two countries over Australia’s call for an international investigation into the origin and handling of Covid-19, which China took to be directed against it.
Tensions intensified when China’s ambassador to Australia gave an interview to a newspaper late last month saying Chinese tourists and students may rethink their plans to visit Australia in the future “if the mood is going from bad to worse”, while consumers may also decide against buying Australian wine and beef.Tensions intensified when China’s ambassador to Australia gave an interview to a newspaper late last month saying Chinese tourists and students may rethink their plans to visit Australia in the future “if the mood is going from bad to worse”, while consumers may also decide against buying Australian wine and beef.
The government is currently trying to persuade China not to proceed with plans to impose tariffs on Australian barley imports, with Scott Morrison saying the proposal stems from an 18-month-long process and he doesn’t believe it is connected to the recent inquiry proposal.The government is currently trying to persuade China not to proceed with plans to impose tariffs on Australian barley imports, with Scott Morrison saying the proposal stems from an 18-month-long process and he doesn’t believe it is connected to the recent inquiry proposal.
Cafes and restaurants in South Australia were open to sit-down customers today, for the first time in seven weeks. I say sit down, not sit-in, because customers have to dine alfresco. It’s limited to a maximum of 10 customers.Cafes and restaurants in South Australia were open to sit-down customers today, for the first time in seven weeks. I say sit down, not sit-in, because customers have to dine alfresco. It’s limited to a maximum of 10 customers.
People will not be able to eat indoors at restaurants until June.People will not be able to eat indoors at restaurants until June.
The SA premier, Steven Marshall, says the change that came into effect today will mainly benefit restaurants that have already switched to take-away service.The SA premier, Steven Marshall, says the change that came into effect today will mainly benefit restaurants that have already switched to take-away service.