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Coronavirus Q&A live: Victoria, NSW and Queensland premiers join ABC panel tonight to discuss Covid-19 Q&A live coronavirus: Victoria, NSW and Queensland premiers join ABC panel tonight to discuss Covid-19 restrictions
(32 minutes later)
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 updatesState 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 final question was from a man named Corey from New Zealand, asking when he might visit family in Australia.
Berejiklian jokes that she may be able to visit Auckland before she can visit Cairns, and says Australia needs to resolve its internal borders before it looks at creating a trans-Tasman bubble.
Craig Rowley from Seahome, Victoria asks what Australia’s economic drivers will be if immigration tapers off post-pandemic.
Berejiklian says there will be some changes to the economy. She if focusing on manufacturing.
What about cutting payroll tax and/or stamp duty to help businesses?
She says she is “absolutely” willing to look at reform in those areas, and also to cut red tape, which is something she was already inclined to do.
Andrews is also asked the payroll tax question, and dodges it.
He says there “will have to be change”.
He says that national cabinet could be a circuit breaker for the kind of IR reform that Australia has, of late, decided on ideological lines.
It’s wonderful to see he still has such hope.
Next question is about football. Why is the NRL given the green light, when so many people are out of work and unable to work due to coronavirus restrictions?
Palaszczuk says the NRL is a workplace.
Andrews says he’ll leave it to the AFL to make its own decisions, but that if it can be done safely there is a net community benefit to the reutnr to sport
Hamish asks Berejiklian about the disruption in her own cabinet. She first answers Nick from Mandurah’s question.
Yes, but what about the issues in cabinet?
A man named Merwyn in Queensland (apologies, I missed his last name) asks about former treasurer Jackie Trad resigning over a corruption investigation, and whether management of the pandemic will be set aside as the government manages factional disputes.
Palaszczuk says no. She had replacements in cabinet in 48 hours
Next question is from Nick Valentine in Mandurah, WA. He says that by this time next year we will have a virus for Covid-19 (that’s a strong maybe), and the road toll will be 10 times higher than the number of lives lost from Covid-19 in Australia.
Andrews is up first. He says it was a tough decision, and no one entered into the decisions lightly, but that if the virus got away from them it would have been “deadly”.
He says the choice was between repairing economic damage and having tens of thousands of people die.
Palaszczuk says that peoples lives have been turned upside down, but “the initial modelling we had was if we didn’t flatten the curb, in Queensland there could have been 37,000 people who lost their lives”.
She says the focus is now on getting people back to work.
Berejiklian says she would prefer to keep a one size fits all approach to restrictions in NSW to “avoid confusion”.
She says that Victoria and NSW decided not to close their borders because people living in those border communities, like Albury-Wodonga, do not see the distinction between the states so imposing a hard border wouldn’t work.
Neither NSW or Victoria are allowing regional travel at this stage. They said they will monitor and allow that travel when they are comfortable.
Callan Oar from Ayr in northern Queensland has a question for Palaszczuk.
Palaszczuk says the lack of any known cases does not mean that there’s no risk in northern Queensland.
She says opening up those regions will depend on the number of people still in quarantine in those areas.
Annastacia Palaszczuk is asked when the Queensland border will be reopened. She says that depends on rates of community transmission in NSW and Victoria.
The next questions is from Catherine Kopec in Burwood, Victoria, about the outbreak at Cedar Meats.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?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.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.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.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.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?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”.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 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.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.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.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.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”.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.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.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.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 schoolsShe 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?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.”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”.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.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.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.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.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:Berejiklian:
Andrews responds by talking about Victoria’s testing quota, which Hamish says was not the question.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?).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.He says we have just one chance to get this right and if he had to, he would tighten the restrictions again.
Andrews:Andrews:
The first question is from Kirsten Armstrong in Maroubra, NSW. It’s basically a dixer.The first question is from Kirsten Armstrong in Maroubra, NSW. It’s basically a dixer.
Gladys Berejiklian responds first, because it’s her state.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.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?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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
In sad news:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.