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Coronavirus Australia live update: Josh Frydenberg announces jobkeeper overhaul as Victoria's downturn hits – latest news Coronavirus Australia live update: jobkeeper overhaul announced as Victoria's Covid-19 downturn hits – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Coalition U-turns on tougher eligibility rules as economic impact of Victoria’s stage-four restrictions takes effect. Follow liveCoalition U-turns on tougher eligibility rules as economic impact of Victoria’s stage-four restrictions takes effect. Follow live
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive, James Pearson, has welcomed changes to jobkeeper, saying there is “no doubt” they will save jobs.
Pearson takes credit for his members identifying the changes that needed to be made but warns they will continue to push for more support.
He said:
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has rounded out his run of morning interviews with a press conference, explaining changes to eligibility for the jobkeeper wage subsidy but playing down any prospect the government could abandon plans to lower the rate from $1,500 a fortnight to $1,200 after the end of September.
He said:
“We always envisaged this program will remain national, which it does, and it will step down and transition over time. After September the payment is reduced to $1,200, but it remains at 80% of the minimum wage, so it’s still a very significant payment and economic lifeline. We’ll have 4 million Australian workers through the September quarter, of which there will be 1.5 million Victorians, or almost half the private-sector workforce.”
Frydenberg said the jobkeeper program is demand driven – so even without changing the rules further there will be “much greater demand out of Victoria”, with Victorians set to make up more than 50% of all recipients in the December and March quarter.
He said other programs also provide specific support for Victoria – such as pandemic leave disaster payments and childcare measures.
Freedom of speech at Australian universities is under review.Freedom of speech at Australian universities is under review.
From Dan Tehan’s office:From Dan Tehan’s office:
The Morrison Government has established an independent review to evaluate the progress that universities have made implementing the French Model Code on university free speech.
The French Model Code sets out a framework for universities that protects freedom of speech and academic freedom as paramount values of Australian universities.
All universities have undertaken to adopt the Model Code this year in a way consistent with their individual legislative frameworks.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan today announced that lawyer and former Vice-Chancellor Professor (Emeritus) Sally Walker AM would evaluate the alignment of university policieswith the principles of the Model Code.
The terms of reference ask Professor Walker to:
1. Validate the alignment of universities’ suite of relevant policies with the principles of the Model Code on freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education providers;
2. Consider whether there are areas of particular strength or weakness in institutional responses and offer any suggestions to institutions where she considers alignment with the Model Code could be improved;
3. Identify exemplars of particularly good practice that could be shared or promoted within the higher education sector;
4. Provide advice to the Minister for Education on the overall alignment of universities policies with the principles of the Model Code and, if warranted, any suggestions onhow the alignment could be further improved;
5. Provide advice to the Minister for Education on whether the Code needs further refinement or change.
It’s going to be messy and confusing for quite a few people – but the Victorian childcare permits are out.It’s going to be messy and confusing for quite a few people – but the Victorian childcare permits are out.
The treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, will hold a press conference very soon.The treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, will hold a press conference very soon.
Shorter AMA:Shorter AMA:
Meanwhile, the AMA wants everyone in NSW to start wearing masks when they head out.Meanwhile, the AMA wants everyone in NSW to start wearing masks when they head out.
This is already in force in Victoria. ACT residents have been warned mask wearing will become mandatory as well.This is already in force in Victoria. ACT residents have been warned mask wearing will become mandatory as well.
Via AAP:Via AAP:
Have they considered asking Scott Cam to do a PSA on this? Apparently he is very related about when it comes to the youth.Have they considered asking Scott Cam to do a PSA on this? Apparently he is very related about when it comes to the youth.
Via AAP:Via AAP:
Politics is quite broken.Politics is quite broken.
Scott Morrison also said the storage situation in Newcastle for ammonium nitrate, the chemical responsible for the Beirut blast which killed more than 100 people and completely devastated the city, was different to how it was being kept in Lebanon:Scott Morrison also said the storage situation in Newcastle for ammonium nitrate, the chemical responsible for the Beirut blast which killed more than 100 people and completely devastated the city, was different to how it was being kept in Lebanon:
Scott Morrison had a chat to Ben Fordham on Sydney radio 2GB (something which is becoming a regular engagement) this morning.Scott Morrison had a chat to Ben Fordham on Sydney radio 2GB (something which is becoming a regular engagement) this morning.
He was asked about the U-turn on jobkeeper:He was asked about the U-turn on jobkeeper:
The mayor of Grant District Council, which covers Mount Gambier in South Australia (one of the closest major centres for SA/Victorian border towns and where many of those residents do their shopping and go to the doctor etc) spoke to the ABC following reports some timber workers (one of the region’s biggest industries) with Victorian number plates are being targeted for abuse.The mayor of Grant District Council, which covers Mount Gambier in South Australia (one of the closest major centres for SA/Victorian border towns and where many of those residents do their shopping and go to the doctor etc) spoke to the ABC following reports some timber workers (one of the region’s biggest industries) with Victorian number plates are being targeted for abuse.
Richard Sage said people needed to calm their farms:Richard Sage said people needed to calm their farms: