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| Coronavirus live update Australia: Victoria records 116 new Covid cases and 15 deaths as NSW reports three cases | Coronavirus live update Australia: Victoria records 116 new Covid cases and 15 deaths as NSW reports three cases |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Brisbane watches hotspots after youth detention centre outbreak, Victoria’s hotel inquiry continues and politicians gather in Canberra for the first time in 10 weeks. Follow today’s latest updates | Brisbane watches hotspots after youth detention centre outbreak, Victoria’s hotel inquiry continues and politicians gather in Canberra for the first time in 10 weeks. Follow today’s latest updates |
| Thank you for joining me today for today’s blog. | |
| I am going to hand over to Josh Taylor for the next little bit, but I will be back tomorrow morning for the resumption of parliament. We’ll bring you all the Covid news, as well as everything else which happens, including the partyroom meetings. And no doubt there will be some more on the Victorian Liberal story from today as well. | |
| In the meantime – take care of you. Ax | |
| Antony Green has called it. | |
| Patricia Karvelas asks David Littleproud when was the last time he spoke to his Chinese counterpart. | Patricia Karvelas asks David Littleproud when was the last time he spoke to his Chinese counterpart. |
| Mike Bowers was in the chamber for question time. Here is some of what he saw: | Mike Bowers was in the chamber for question time. Here is some of what he saw: |
| I guess he has the antibodies? | I guess he has the antibodies? |
| Patricia Karvelas asks Nobel medicine prize laureate and infection expert Peter Doherty about his “Dan Murphy’s opening hours” viral tweet (after a very serious interview on vaccines). | |
| He must be protected at all costs. | He must be protected at all costs. |
| There’s an interesting development in the university sector – a growing backlash against lack of government support and failure of management to prevent job cuts. | There’s an interesting development in the university sector – a growing backlash against lack of government support and failure of management to prevent job cuts. |
| On Monday, the National University Staff Assembly met to discuss a way forward to fight back – including developing a roadmap towards taking unprotected industrial action. | On Monday, the National University Staff Assembly met to discuss a way forward to fight back – including developing a roadmap towards taking unprotected industrial action. |
| It’s an initiative of the National Higher Education Action Network, a grassroots movement, not a union but endorsed by many National Tertiary Education Union branches, that wants academics and other university staff to consider strikes to call for more government support and secure employment in the sector. | It’s an initiative of the National Higher Education Action Network, a grassroots movement, not a union but endorsed by many National Tertiary Education Union branches, that wants academics and other university staff to consider strikes to call for more government support and secure employment in the sector. |
| The assembly met today (with 460 present) and passed a motion with 96% of the vote, the key points of which are to: | The assembly met today (with 460 present) and passed a motion with 96% of the vote, the key points of which are to: |
| It’s still early days – but the network plans to hold local meetings to develop a strike pledge, essentially committing university staff to go on strike if enough others take the same pledge. | It’s still early days – but the network plans to hold local meetings to develop a strike pledge, essentially committing university staff to go on strike if enough others take the same pledge. |
| Tony Burke has responded to the government’s jobkeeper extension bill: | Tony Burke has responded to the government’s jobkeeper extension bill: |
| Jim Chalmers is also asked about Anthony Fisher’s comments: | Jim Chalmers is also asked about Anthony Fisher’s comments: |
| Deputy chief medical officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth was asked about the Catholic archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher, criticising one of the Covid vaccines under development because it uses a cell line from an electively aborted foetus. | Deputy chief medical officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth was asked about the Catholic archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher, criticising one of the Covid vaccines under development because it uses a cell line from an electively aborted foetus. |
| Coatsworth: | Coatsworth: |
| Asked about the border closures Jim Chalmers says: | Asked about the border closures Jim Chalmers says: |
| Even if it hurts the economy? | Even if it hurts the economy? |
| Victoria Health has put out its data for the day: | Victoria Health has put out its data for the day: |
| In Victoria at the current time: | In Victoria at the current time: |
| 4,028 cases may indicate community transmission. | 4,028 cases may indicate community transmission. |
| 3,731 cases are currently active in Victoria. | 3,731 cases are currently active in Victoria. |
| 629 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 31 in intensive care. | 629 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 31 in intensive care. |
| 14,077 people have recovered from the virus | 14,077 people have recovered from the virus |
| A total of 2,106,139 test results have been received which is an increase of 14,811 since yesterday. | A total of 2,106,139 test results have been received which is an increase of 14,811 since yesterday. |
| Of the 3,731 current active cases in Victoria: | Of the 3,731 current active cases in Victoria: |
| 3,332 are in metropolitan Melbourne under stage 4 restrictions. | 3,332 are in metropolitan Melbourne under stage 4 restrictions. |
| 232 are in regional local government areas under stage 3 restrictions. | 232 are in regional local government areas under stage 3 restrictions. |
| 158 are either unknown or subject to further investigation. | 158 are either unknown or subject to further investigation. |
| 9 are interstate residents. | 9 are interstate residents. |
| Greater Geelong has 88 active cases, Bendigo has 24 active cases and Ballarat has six active cases. | Greater Geelong has 88 active cases, Bendigo has 24 active cases and Ballarat has six active cases. |
| Of the total cases: | Of the total cases: |
| 16,744 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 1,104 are from regional Victoria. | 16,744 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 1,104 are from regional Victoria. |
| Total cases include 8,776 men and 9,511 women. | Total cases include 8,776 men and 9,511 women. |
| Total number of healthcare workers: 2,744 active cases: 476. | Total number of healthcare workers: 2,744 active cases: 476. |
| There are 1,568 active cases relating to aged care facilities. | There are 1,568 active cases relating to aged care facilities. |
| Active aged care outbreaks with the highest cumulative case numbers are as follows: | Active aged care outbreaks with the highest cumulative case numbers are as follows: |
| 211 cases have been linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping. | 211 cases have been linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping. |
| 195 cases have been linked to St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner. | 195 cases have been linked to St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner. |
| 160 cases have been linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee. | 160 cases have been linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee. |
| 159 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer. | 159 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer. |
| 138 cases have been linked to Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth. | 138 cases have been linked to Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth. |
| 119 cases have been linked to Cumberland Manor Aged Care Facility in Sunshine North. | 119 cases have been linked to Cumberland Manor Aged Care Facility in Sunshine North. |
| 118 cases have been linked to Twin Parks Aged Care in Reservoir. | 118 cases have been linked to Twin Parks Aged Care in Reservoir. |
| 114 cases have been linked to Outlook Gardens Aged Care Facility in Dandenong North. | 114 cases have been linked to Outlook Gardens Aged Care Facility in Dandenong North. |
| 110 cases have been linked to Japara Goonawarra Aged Care Facility in Sunbury. | 110 cases have been linked to Japara Goonawarra Aged Care Facility in Sunbury. |
| 109 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Heidelberg. | 109 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Heidelberg. |
| In Victoria there are currently 57 active cases in residential disability accommodation: | In Victoria there are currently 57 active cases in residential disability accommodation: |
| Total resident cases: 13; Total Staff cases: 44. | Total resident cases: 13; Total Staff cases: 44. |
| Active cases in NDIS homes: 42 (13 residents). | Active cases in NDIS homes: 42 (13 residents). |
| Active cases in ‘transfer’ homes (state regulated/funded): 15 (0 residents). | Active cases in ‘transfer’ homes (state regulated/funded): 15 (0 residents). |
| Active cases in state government delivered and funded homes: 0. | Active cases in state government delivered and funded homes: 0. |
| Key outbreaks with new cases include: | Key outbreaks with new cases include: |
| 54 cases have been linked to Peninsula Health. | 54 cases have been linked to Peninsula Health. |
| 31 cases have been linked to the Vawdrey Australia in Dandenong South. | 31 cases have been linked to the Vawdrey Australia in Dandenong South. |
| The department is also investigating cases linked to the Melbourne Safe Injecting Room and the Best Western in Melbourne. | The department is also investigating cases linked to the Melbourne Safe Injecting Room and the Best Western in Melbourne. |
| Jim Chalmers is on Patricia Karvelas’s Afternoon Briefing on the aged care response: | Jim Chalmers is on Patricia Karvelas’s Afternoon Briefing on the aged care response: |
| The attorney general, Christian Porter, has just released the jobkeeper bill, which sets out what industrial relations powers employers claiming jobkeeper will have from late September until March 2021. He will introduce the bill on Wednesday. | The attorney general, Christian Porter, has just released the jobkeeper bill, which sets out what industrial relations powers employers claiming jobkeeper will have from late September until March 2021. He will introduce the bill on Wednesday. |
| Existing employer powers to reduce hours, adjust workers’ duties and location of work will continue for those still claiming jobkeeper. | Existing employer powers to reduce hours, adjust workers’ duties and location of work will continue for those still claiming jobkeeper. |
| Employers who previously claimed jobkeeper but no longer qualify (legacy employers) will be subject to a new turnover test - so if they can show a 10% decline in relevant quarters this year, they will also keep the industrial relations flexibilities. | Employers who previously claimed jobkeeper but no longer qualify (legacy employers) will be subject to a new turnover test - so if they can show a 10% decline in relevant quarters this year, they will also keep the industrial relations flexibilities. |
| This addresses Labor’s complaint that companies which have returned to the same level of revenue as last year could nevertheless cut workers’ hours. | This addresses Labor’s complaint that companies which have returned to the same level of revenue as last year could nevertheless cut workers’ hours. |
| There are some protections on this, legacy employers cannot reduce a worker’s hours below 60% of their ordinary hours, must give workers 7 days’ notice of changes and can’t ask them to work less than two hours a day. | There are some protections on this, legacy employers cannot reduce a worker’s hours below 60% of their ordinary hours, must give workers 7 days’ notice of changes and can’t ask them to work less than two hours a day. |
| Another significant change: The previous arrangements allowing employers, by agreement with staff, to use available leave (subject to having two weeks’ annual leave remaining) will not be a feature of the reforms for JobKeeper 2.0.Porter said: | Another significant change: The previous arrangements allowing employers, by agreement with staff, to use available leave (subject to having two weeks’ annual leave remaining) will not be a feature of the reforms for JobKeeper 2.0.Porter said: |
| “Whilst most of the country is moving out of the economic impacts of COVID, Victoria being the obvious exception, we are far from a situation where it is back to normal for many businesses and industries. Indeed, COVID will remain a part of our lives until a vaccine is widely available and so, continuing flexibility to help businesses and their staff adapt to the new normal is critical. | “Whilst most of the country is moving out of the economic impacts of COVID, Victoria being the obvious exception, we are far from a situation where it is back to normal for many businesses and industries. Indeed, COVID will remain a part of our lives until a vaccine is widely available and so, continuing flexibility to help businesses and their staff adapt to the new normal is critical. |
| “It is important that the flexibility which has allowed many businesses to survive the crisis to date, continue to be provided to businesses which are on the road to recovery but which haven’t made it out yet, to ensure they can continue to trade, keep people in jobs and continue to rebuild as we emerge from the pandemic. | “It is important that the flexibility which has allowed many businesses to survive the crisis to date, continue to be provided to businesses which are on the road to recovery but which haven’t made it out yet, to ensure they can continue to trade, keep people in jobs and continue to rebuild as we emerge from the pandemic. |
| “A 10 per cent threshold for businesses that were on JobKeeper, but which will no longer qualify for the wages subsidy, will mean they can continue to adapt their workplaces to keep operating in the post-COVID world. | “A 10 per cent threshold for businesses that were on JobKeeper, but which will no longer qualify for the wages subsidy, will mean they can continue to adapt their workplaces to keep operating in the post-COVID world. |
| “These changes are time-limited. They are not permanent changes. They are linked to the extension of JobKeeper until the end of March 2021. | “These changes are time-limited. They are not permanent changes. They are linked to the extension of JobKeeper until the end of March 2021. |
| “I would like to thank all the stakeholders that have been engaged in detailed and constructive discussions on this legislation over recent weeks. The collaborative efforts of employer groups, unions and the Coalition government are all centred on ensuring we keep as many businesses going and people in jobs.” | “I would like to thank all the stakeholders that have been engaged in detailed and constructive discussions on this legislation over recent weeks. The collaborative efforts of employer groups, unions and the Coalition government are all centred on ensuring we keep as many businesses going and people in jobs.” |
| Over in the Senate, Kristina Keneally has given a speech in response to Richard Colbeck’s answers on aged care: | Over in the Senate, Kristina Keneally has given a speech in response to Richard Colbeck’s answers on aged care: |
| Deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth says he was unaware of Terri Butler getting a Covid test, but doesn’t go into what a positive result (which in this case, would be an outside chance as Butler has no symptoms and is just getting tested to be cautious) would mean for the parliament: | Deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth says he was unaware of Terri Butler getting a Covid test, but doesn’t go into what a positive result (which in this case, would be an outside chance as Butler has no symptoms and is just getting tested to be cautious) would mean for the parliament: |
| So overall, there have been 121 new cases of Covid-19 recorded in Australia in the last 24 hours. | So overall, there have been 121 new cases of Covid-19 recorded in Australia in the last 24 hours. |
| Scott Morrison makes a point of saying he extended question time by 25 minutes, but now would like to call an end to question time. | Scott Morrison makes a point of saying he extended question time by 25 minutes, but now would like to call an end to question time. |
| Question time was extended because he asked to do a speech at the beginning of it (which Anthony Albanese then followed) not because he suddenly decided to do another 25 minutes out of his enduring love of democracy. | Question time was extended because he asked to do a speech at the beginning of it (which Anthony Albanese then followed) not because he suddenly decided to do another 25 minutes out of his enduring love of democracy. |
| Scott Morrison is asked to explain his comments from last week, which sought to put responsibility back on the states for aged care (in Victoria): | Scott Morrison is asked to explain his comments from last week, which sought to put responsibility back on the states for aged care (in Victoria): |
| (There were outbreaks in NSW aged care centres before Victoria) | (There were outbreaks in NSW aged care centres before Victoria) |