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Coronavirus live updates: Victoria, NSW and Queensland premiers discuss Covid-19 restrictions on Q&A Victoria, NSW and Queensland premiers appear on Q&A – as it happened
(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 updates Daniels Andrews, Gladys Berejiklian and Annastacia Palaszczuk on Q+A as Victoria and Queensland plan to ease lockdown restrictions. This blog is now closed
Alright, so what did we learn from that?Alright, so what did we learn from that?
Well, not much.Well, not much.
Daniel Andrews would not say when students were likely to return to schools in Victoria except that it would be by the end of term two, which he has said previously.Daniel Andrews would not say when students were likely to return to schools in Victoria except that it would be by the end of term two, which he has said previously.
Andrews and Gladys Berejiklian said they will consider economic reforms like cutting payroll tax and stamp duty in order to support businesses through the recession caused by the coronavirus, but did not make any solid commitments. They said there was an opportunity for structural economic reform and what form that reform might take was under active consideration.Andrews and Gladys Berejiklian said they will consider economic reforms like cutting payroll tax and stamp duty in order to support businesses through the recession caused by the coronavirus, but did not make any solid commitments. They said there was an opportunity for structural economic reform and what form that reform might take was under active consideration.
Berejiklian said that “thirteen out of 14 [cruise ship] disembarkments were successful in New South Wales,” it’s just that the 14th was the Ruby Princess. She said that a “mistake-free pandemic is impossible, it would be miraculous”.Berejiklian said that “thirteen out of 14 [cruise ship] disembarkments were successful in New South Wales,” it’s just that the 14th was the Ruby Princess. She said that a “mistake-free pandemic is impossible, it would be miraculous”.
Annastacia Palaszczuk would not give an indication of when Queensland might lift its hard state border, but said Queenslanders may be able to travel within Queensland in June or July. She would not say when regional areas in Queensland might enjoy more freedom, because there are still people in those areas in quarantine.Annastacia Palaszczuk would not give an indication of when Queensland might lift its hard state border, but said Queenslanders may be able to travel within Queensland in June or July. She would not say when regional areas in Queensland might enjoy more freedom, because there are still people in those areas in quarantine.
All three premiers said Australia’s situation could have been much worse and while we were now facing difficult economic times, they were grateful to be grappling with how to reopen the economy rather than coping with tens of thousands of deaths per state.All three premiers said Australia’s situation could have been much worse and while we were now facing difficult economic times, they were grateful to be grappling with how to reopen the economy rather than coping with tens of thousands of deaths per state.
We did not, however, learn to what extend these larger states were able to strong-arm national cabinet and the federal government into following their lead on introducing the shutdown in the first place, and closing schools. That inside story, when told, will be well worth reading.We did not, however, learn to what extend these larger states were able to strong-arm national cabinet and the federal government into following their lead on introducing the shutdown in the first place, and closing schools. That inside story, when told, will be well worth reading.
On that note, I’ll say goodnight. You can continue to follow our rolling global coverage here. Stay safe, work on your list of five to 10 visitors (depending on jurisdiction) and we will see you in the morning.On that note, I’ll say goodnight. You can continue to follow our rolling global coverage here. Stay safe, work on your list of five to 10 visitors (depending on jurisdiction) and we will see you in the morning.
Also, if you thought the person asking the first question tonight looked familiar you’d be right.Also, if you thought the person asking the first question tonight looked familiar you’d be right.
That was Kirsten Armstrong, who is the director of knowledge and innovation at the Fred Hollows Foundation. She is also one of the AFR’s 100 women of influence.That was Kirsten Armstrong, who is the director of knowledge and innovation at the Fred Hollows Foundation. She is also one of the AFR’s 100 women of influence.
The final question was from a man named Corey from New Zealand, asking when he might visit family in Australia.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.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.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.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?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.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.Andrews is also asked the payroll tax question, and dodges it.
He says there “will have to be change”.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.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.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?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.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 sportAndrews 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.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?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.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 hoursPalaszczuk 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.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”.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.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”.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.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”.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.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.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.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.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.She says opening up those regions will depend on the number of people still in quarantine in those areas.