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Australia coronavirus live update: Palaszczuk hits back at NSW premier Berejiklian over pressure to open Queensland borders – latest news Australia coronavirus live update: Palaszczuk hits back at NSW premier Berejiklian over pressure to open Queensland borders – latest news
(30 minutes later)
Queensland premier says she won’t be lectured to ‘by a state that has the highest number of cases in Australia’ as tourism operators and politicians call to open state’s border to domestic travellers. Follow liveQueensland premier says she won’t be lectured to ‘by a state that has the highest number of cases in Australia’ as tourism operators and politicians call to open state’s border to domestic travellers. Follow live
That is quite the escalation from Joel Fitzgibbon there. He wasn’t asked to go further, and instead the interview moved on to how the agriculture sector is feeling, but if Tim Pallas’s comments kicked off furious rebuttal, then Fitzgibbon has just kickstarted a whole new argument.
Joel Fitzgibbon appeared on Sky News this morning, where he was asked about Australia’s relationship with China.
The shadow agriculture minister went further than either Penny Wong or Anthony Albanese in criticising the government’s handling of the China relationship.
Asked if the CCP had been bullying Australia (in terms of the barley tariff), Fitzgibbon says:
Meanwhile, globally, the world has seen the biggest daily increase in Covid-19 cases.
The Senate select committee looking at the Covid-19 response is holding a hearing today.
It’s all about IR and Treasury this morning.
Dr Jeannette Young says she is in constant contact with the other members of the national health advisory committee, and each health advisor is choosing to do what is considered best for their own jurisdiction:Dr Jeannette Young says she is in constant contact with the other members of the national health advisory committee, and each health advisor is choosing to do what is considered best for their own jurisdiction:
Annastacia Palaszczuk defers to Queensland chief medical officer, Dr Jeannette Young, to explain why Queensland’s health advice is to keep the borders closed, when the deputy chief medical officer of the country, Professor Paul Kelly, says there is no reason to do so:Annastacia Palaszczuk defers to Queensland chief medical officer, Dr Jeannette Young, to explain why Queensland’s health advice is to keep the borders closed, when the deputy chief medical officer of the country, Professor Paul Kelly, says there is no reason to do so:
Annastacia Palaszczuk:Annastacia Palaszczuk:
Annastacia Palaszczuk has also been listening to Mark McGowan when it comes to border sledges.Annastacia Palaszczuk has also been listening to Mark McGowan when it comes to border sledges.
She says Queensland won’t be lectured to “by a state that has the highest number of cases in Australia”, in response to Gladys Berejiklian’s repeated calls for Queensland to open the border.She says Queensland won’t be lectured to “by a state that has the highest number of cases in Australia”, in response to Gladys Berejiklian’s repeated calls for Queensland to open the border.
Queensland is loosening restrictions again – for Queenslanders.Queensland is loosening restrictions again – for Queenslanders.
The greatest nation on earth will allow travel, within the state, of up to 250km from residents’ homes for the school holidays.The greatest nation on earth will allow travel, within the state, of up to 250km from residents’ homes for the school holidays.
Annastacia Palaszczuk says that keeping Queensland’s borders closed to the other states means Queenslanders can travel more freely.Annastacia Palaszczuk says that keeping Queensland’s borders closed to the other states means Queenslanders can travel more freely.
The NT health minister, Natasha Fyles, says the last active case in the territory has recovered, making the NT (known) Covid-19 case free.The NT health minister, Natasha Fyles, says the last active case in the territory has recovered, making the NT (known) Covid-19 case free.
On the finance side of things, AAP has this report:On the finance side of things, AAP has this report:
The Australian share market is set to rise in early trade after US investors continued to look to a swift recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.The Australian share market is set to rise in early trade after US investors continued to look to a swift recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The SPI 200 futures contract was higher by 36 points, or 0.65%, to 5,604.0 at 0800 AEST on Thursday.The SPI 200 futures contract was higher by 36 points, or 0.65%, to 5,604.0 at 0800 AEST on Thursday.
The three major Wall Street indices notched finished higher overnight as investors bet on a swift economic recovery from coronavirus-driven lockdowns and the potential for more stimulus measures from the Federal Reserve.The three major Wall Street indices notched finished higher overnight as investors bet on a swift economic recovery from coronavirus-driven lockdowns and the potential for more stimulus measures from the Federal Reserve.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.52% to end at 24,575.9 points, while the S&P 500 gained 1.67%, to 2,971.61. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.08% to 9,375.78.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.52% to end at 24,575.9 points, while the S&P 500 gained 1.67%, to 2,971.61. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.08% to 9,375.78.
In Australia on Thursday, the heads of Apts, Asic and the Reserve Bank will discuss their Covid-19 response in an online forum held by the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.In Australia on Thursday, the heads of Apts, Asic and the Reserve Bank will discuss their Covid-19 response in an online forum held by the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
The S&P/ASX200 benchmark index finished Wednesday up 13.5 points, or 0.24%, at 5,573 points. The All Ordinaries index gained 21.3 points, or 0.38%, to 5,680.1.The S&P/ASX200 benchmark index finished Wednesday up 13.5 points, or 0.24%, at 5,573 points. The All Ordinaries index gained 21.3 points, or 0.38%, to 5,680.1.
The Australian dollar was buying 65.96 US cents at 0800 AEST, up from 65.43 US cents at the close of trade on Wednesday.The Australian dollar was buying 65.96 US cents at 0800 AEST, up from 65.43 US cents at the close of trade on Wednesday.
Angus Taylor also spoke on the border closure issue while on the ABC:
Speaking to the ABC a little earlier, Gladys Berejiklian says she did not think it was “logical at this stage to maintain those border closures for a prolonged period of time”.
She prefaced the comment with “that’s a matter for the Queensland premier and the Queensland government” before giving her opinion, so that might tell you how relations within national cabinet are starting to go.
Berejiklian says it is all about jobs:
Gladys Berejiklian says NSW will also bring forward, and accelerate, many of its infrastructure projects in a bid to kickstart the NSW economy.
NSW health authorities tested 9,700 people for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours and returned just two positive results, Gladys Berejiklian says as part of her daily briefing.
One case was from Melbourne, and the second is still under investigation (which is how they say they are not immediately clear on where it was picked up).
Asked where the government stands on the so-called Hele (high-efficiency low-emission) coal-fired power plants many in the Coalition backbench are quite enamoured with, Angus Taylor says they are still in the mix.
There wasn’t a lot new that was in that interview with Angus Taylor. “Balance” seems to be his favourite word at the moment, which is why he says Australia is still backing in fossil fuels like gas.
Asked by Fran Kelly why Australia just “doesn’t back a winner”, like low-emissions technologies such as wind and solar, Taylor scoff-lols and says:
Angus Taylor just spoke to Fran Kelly on ABC radio and this is a pretty accurate summary from Adam Morton here, about how the conversation, at least from Taylor’s side, went.
Gladys Berejiklian had a chat to ABC News Breakfast this morning and again pushed for borders to be open across the nation – saying it was not “logical” to keep them closed.
While the borders are the short-term concern, Adam Morton has this report on what is likely to be a long-term issue for Australia
There are a lot of potential changes being floated in terms of Australian economic policy, under the guise of “Covid recovery”.
The border issue is once again dominating headlines, with Gladys Berejiklian pushing for Queensland (mostly), to open its borders to NSW.
Queensland is saying no. As is Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia.
Yesterday, the deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, said he could see no medical reason to keep the borders closed.
But Queensland, as well as the rest of the closed-off states, say their health advice is to keep them closed – particularly while there is still evidence of community transmission in NSW and Victoria. Which there is.
Mark McGowan hit NSW with a Ruby Princess jibe yesterday, saying he wouldn’t be taking border advice from the state which let the cruise ship dock and the passengers disembark.
But the feds are on the side of NSW and are also pushing for it to open. Pauline Hanson has hired a lawyer to test to constitutionality of Queensland’s border closure.
“It is unconstitutional for Premier Palaszczuk to close Queensland’s border and her actions are causing me a great deal of concern for the economic viability of our state,” Hanson wrote on social media.
We’ll cover all the day’s events as they happen, so thank you again for joining us. You have Amy Remeikis with you for this slice of the day.
Ready?