This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/jun/23/australia-coronavirus-news-victoria-hotspot-cluster-second-wave-borders-nsw-lockdown-moreland-brimbank-casey-darebin-hume-cardinia-qld-live-updates

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Coronavirus Australia update: Victoria announces 17 new Covid-19 cases and 'significant community transmission' as two Melbourne schools close – live news Coronavirus Australia update: Victoria announces 17 new Covid-19 cases and 'significant community transmission' as two Melbourne schools close – live news
(32 minutes later)
Daniel Andrews threatens to reintroduce statewide lockdown if outbreaks are not contained. Follow liveDaniel Andrews threatens to reintroduce statewide lockdown if outbreaks are not contained. Follow live
Asked if Dyson Heydon’s Australian honours should be revoked in light of the findings of the independent inquiry ordered by the high court after allegations of sexual harassment Scott Morrison says:
The prime minister responds with a terse ‘we’re fixing the problem’ when asked why he won’t consider a royal commission into the robodebt debacle:
(The difference was, the Coalition took away the human checks when it came to income averaging.)
Asked to clarify what will be happening beyond the September sunset for jobkeeper and the Covid supplment of jobseeker, Scott Morrison says:
And as reported by Murph, the arts and entertainment package *is* coming.
Scott Morrison:
The prime minister takes a question on what more can be done for businesses suffering in the area and pivots it to the future of jobkeeper for the nation:
But of course, the questions are about the bushfire recovery in the area. Asked if the deadline for the clean-up for properties destroyed in the blaze has been pushed back to 31 July, David Littleproud says:
The Eden-Monaro press conference is about this program:
Meanwhile, Scott Morrison’s press conference has got off to an interesting start:
Kezia Purick has resigned as the Speaker of the NT Legislative Assembly, after a finding of corrupt conduct was made against her.
As for advice on what to do with the school holidays coming up, for those in one of the Victorian hotspots, Daniel Andrews says:As for advice on what to do with the school holidays coming up, for those in one of the Victorian hotspots, Daniel Andrews says:
The CSPU is calling for support for the National Gallery, which, due to funding cuts and Covid, is struggling to make ends meet:The CSPU is calling for support for the National Gallery, which, due to funding cuts and Covid, is struggling to make ends meet:
The National Gallery of Australia has today announced they will cut over 12% of staff in 2020 due to a $3.6 million funding shortfall.The National Gallery of Australia has today announced they will cut over 12% of staff in 2020 due to a $3.6 million funding shortfall.
The union representing National Gallery of Australia workers, the CPSU, is calling on the government to exempt Australia’s cultural institutions from the efficacy dividend and restore funding of the National Gallery.The union representing National Gallery of Australia workers, the CPSU, is calling on the government to exempt Australia’s cultural institutions from the efficacy dividend and restore funding of the National Gallery.
Over the next 5 years the NGA will be forced to find $6.8 million in savings to be sustainable. The Gallery is struggling with rising utility costs, building maintenance, falling interest rates and the ongoing efficiency dividend implemented by the federal government. Over the next five years the NGA will be forced to find $6.8m in savings to be sustainable. The gallery is struggling with rising utility costs, building maintenance, falling interest rates and the ongoing efficiency dividend implemented by the federal government.
The Gallery’s pre-existing budget woes have been exacerbated by Covid-19. Travel restrictions and a downturn in tourism have hit the NGA, with 80% of the NGAs audience coming from outside Canberra. Whilst the Gallery remains open, serious measures to ensure public and staff safety mean that access is restricted and the future exhibitions uncertain. The gallery’s pre-existing budget woes have been exacerbated by Covid-19. Travel restrictions and a downturn in tourism have hit the NGA, with 80% of the NGAs audience coming from outside Canberra. Whilst the gallery remains open, serious measures to ensure public and staff safety mean that access is restricted and the future exhibitions uncertain.
A voluntary redundancy process will be open this week and will run for three weeks, following this process further staff cuts may need to be considered.A voluntary redundancy process will be open this week and will run for three weeks, following this process further staff cuts may need to be considered.
This latest round of cuts is on the back of a 10% cut in staff only 4 years ago This latest round of cuts is on the back of a 10% cut in staff only four years ago
Some good news for Bomber fans (although it’s against Carlton, so they’ll be fine) Some good news for Bomber fans (although it’s against Carlton, so they’ll be fine).
Is there a timeline on the threat of further restictions?
Daniel Andrews:
After receiving some criticism that the decision to not push ahead with easing restrictions was made too late for some businesses to react, the Victorian leader says the decisions were based on facts, not feelings and they had to wait for the data:
On that point, Daniel Andrews says:
At this stage though, Daniel Andrews says Victoria does not need to take up the federal offer of ADF staff to help with quarantining procedures.
On the virus transmissions which have been traced back to hotel staff, such as those working in the quarantine hotels at the Stanford and Rydges, Daniel Andrews says:
Daniel Andrews repeats that the community transmissions are being traced back to large family groups who are not obeying the social distancing restrictions:
Daniel Andrews says he is not going to speculate on why people are ignoring the recommendations in Victoria:
Daniel Andrews also details the doorknocking campaign public health authorities are embarking on:
We’ve been talking about this all morning, but the Victorian premier just confirmed that lockdowns – potentially across the entire state – are on the cards if the virus is not contained.
Daniel Andrews:
He says the contact tracing authorities are beginning work on finding the close contacts of the two primary school students at Brunswick East and Keilor Views schools who tested positive for Covid: