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Coronavirus Australia latest updates: Victoria records 116 new cases and 15 deaths as parliament returns – follow live Coronavirus live update Australia: Victoria records 116 new cases and 15 deaths as Queensland reports one new case
(32 minutes later)
Queensland watches hotspots after youth detention centre outbreak, Victoria’s hotel inquiry continues and politicians gather in Canberra the first time in 10 weeks. Follow live 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
Queensland CMO Dr Jeannette Young says there has been just one new case of Covid from the last 24 hours - a relative of the woman who worked at the Wacol youth detention centre who was first diagnosed - they have been in self isolation. It looks like Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts have decided not to travel to Canberra for the sitting (Queensland MPs could also get an exemption, as the state has declared the ACT a Covid hotspot, meaning MPs would have to self isolate on their return) which might make the Senate a little easier this sitting.
Anyone with symptoms is asked to get tested, so authorities can ‘track’ any further infections. We’ll keep you posted.
Hospital staff in greater Brisbane have been asked to wear masks, and people who can’t socially distance are also asked to wear a mask - but it is not yet mandated. That interview continued:
Fran Kelly: So, are you happy for the Department of Finance to play out this inquiry and to let that go ahead? And the minister involved to stay in his position while that happens? Is that the right course of action?
Anthony Albanese: I’m happy for Scott Morrison to be judged on his own words. And if Michael Sukkar is still sitting there at two o’clock as a minister, then that is a failure of Scott Morrison’s leadership.
Kelly: But why would he go before the Department of Finance runs its inquiry? Is that the proper way to do it?
Albanese:
Anthony Albanese was asked about the Victorian Liberal branch stacking story while on ABC radio RN with Fran Kelly this morning:
Albanese:
Well, they stand accused by themselves. This is in their own words, recorded conversations, memos that Michael Sukkar has responded to and endorsed. And this is a test for Scott Morrison. This is the test that he himself set when there were allegations into Victoria. And what happened there, Fran?
Kelly: Very similar allegations against Labor in Victoria.
Albanese: Yes. And a minister was gone by the morning. A minister was expelled from the Labor Party the very next day, the equivalent of the Monday. And by Tuesday, the branch had been intervened in, Steve Bracks and Jenny Macklin appointed to administer the branch, and widespread action from myself and Daniel Andrews. Now at the time, what happened was Scott Morrison said this was a test for me. Now, once again, a bit like aged care, he’s saying it’s not his responsibility. “That it is a matter for the organisational wing”. Well, someone needs to tell Scott Morrison that he’s actually in charge of the Liberal Party. That this is a scandal. That his Assistant Treasurer is in it up to his neck in his own words here. And that his position is untenable.
Kelly: The Assistant Treasurer, Michael Sukkar, allegedly according to these reports, endorsed a plan to give a taxpayer-funded job in Kevin Andrews’ office to an operative working for the then-Liberal powerbroker Marcus Bastiaan, he’s not so anymore. But both Michael Sukkar and Kevin Andrews say the claims are false. They’ve referred the matter to the Department of Finance. I mean, just as Anthony Byrne remains in the committee position he had for Labor.
Albanese: There are no allegations against Anthony Byrne. None.
Kelly: Well, the allegations confirm concern being filmed in his office.
Albanese: There are no allegations against Anthony Byrne, Fran. The people who there were allegations against have been removed from their positions.
Richard Colbeck has released a statement - the Newmarch House aged care report into the how Covid spread through the facility is out today.
You can find it here.
It is fair to say 2020 has not been Josh Frydenberg’s favourite year.
Not only does the black and white “back in black” photoshoot have to be scrapped, the mugs boxed up and the budget in surplus speech scrapped, he also has to deal with his branch of the Liberals making news for all the wrong reasons.
On the branch-stacking story he said:
Frydenberg has been in self-isolation for two weeks, as a Victorian MP who came to Canberra, so he is emerging to quite the shitstorm.
Kristy McBain, who won the Eden-Monaro byelection for Labor, will be sworn into the parliament just before question time, at 2pm.
Lidia Thorpe, who will replace Richard Di Natale for the Greens, won’t be joining the Senate this sitting (she has to wait for the Victorian parliament to confirm her appointment, which has been delayed by the Covid outbreak) but the Greens are hopeful their new senator will be in place by the next sitting, in October.
Queensland is also instituting farmer border exemptions, which has made David Littleproud very happy.
Littleproud has been using the term “common sense” as often as I have been using hand sanitiser lately – and the skin on my hands is beginning to flake off, if that gives you any indication of how often I am popping that bottle lid – and he uses it again here:
Queensland authorities are waiting on the genomic testing on the new virus infection to return, in an attempt to trace back where the woman was infected.
All of greater Brisbane and Ipswich are considered “restricted” areas, which means people need to be more alert in terms of testing and social distancing, as well as restrictions on gatherings, but there are no travel restrictions as yet.
Dr Jeannette Young:
Queensland CMO Dr Jeannette Young says there has been just one new case of Covid from the last 24 hours – a relative of the woman who worked at the Wacol youth detention centre who was first diagnosed who has been in self-isolation.
Anyone with symptoms is asked to get tested, so authorities can “track” any further infections.
Hospital staff in greater Brisbane have been asked to wear masks, and people who can’t socially distance are also asked to wear a mask – but it is not yet mandated.
The daily parliament program is out, if you are in to that kind of thing.The daily parliament program is out, if you are in to that kind of thing.
Well, it is Australia’s biggest state, so it probably makes sense it has had the strongest recovery once the borders opened up?Well, it is Australia’s biggest state, so it probably makes sense it has had the strongest recovery once the borders opened up?
But hey – whatever floats your boat. We are all, after all, meant to be in this together.But hey – whatever floats your boat. We are all, after all, meant to be in this together.
It is two years since Peter Dutton’s failed leadership coup, which led to Scott Morrison becoming prime minister.It is two years since Peter Dutton’s failed leadership coup, which led to Scott Morrison becoming prime minister.
#putyoursmilesout#putyoursmilesout
Michael McCormack was asked whether or not $40 a day (the former jobseeker rate, without the Covid supplement) was enough to live on, while he was on the ABC.Michael McCormack was asked whether or not $40 a day (the former jobseeker rate, without the Covid supplement) was enough to live on, while he was on the ABC.
The man who makes $416,212 a year – or $1,140.30 a day (before tax) to say things like caring about climate change is for “pure, enlightened and woke capital-city greenies” said:The man who makes $416,212 a year – or $1,140.30 a day (before tax) to say things like caring about climate change is for “pure, enlightened and woke capital-city greenies” said:
Again: there are 13 applicants for each job ad currently. More than 1 million Australians are out of work. Treasury predicts unemployment will hit 13% in real terms by the end of the year.Again: there are 13 applicants for each job ad currently. More than 1 million Australians are out of work. Treasury predicts unemployment will hit 13% in real terms by the end of the year.
But hey. Just move to the country. Everything will be sweet.But hey. Just move to the country. Everything will be sweet.
National MPs Bridget McKenzie, Perin Davey and Anne Webster will be holding a press conference on the border closures at 11.45pm.National MPs Bridget McKenzie, Perin Davey and Anne Webster will be holding a press conference on the border closures at 11.45pm.
There is a lot of angst for Victorian border communities, who have found themselves locked out of NSW and South Australia.There is a lot of angst for Victorian border communities, who have found themselves locked out of NSW and South Australia.
Both of which have Coalition governments.Both of which have Coalition governments.
It’s almost like Queensland isn’t the only state with closed borders worth paying attention to anymore.It’s almost like Queensland isn’t the only state with closed borders worth paying attention to anymore.
Victoria Health has released the latest Covid data.Victoria Health has released the latest Covid data.
The Labor leader has responded to the Victorian Liberals branch-stacking story by repeating Scott Morrison’s own words back to him.The Labor leader has responded to the Victorian Liberals branch-stacking story by repeating Scott Morrison’s own words back to him.
When Victoria Labor’s branch-stacking allegations were revealed in June, Morrison said it was a “test” of Anthony Albanese’s leadership. When Victoria Labor’s branch-stacking allegations were revealed in June, Morrison said it was a “test” of Anthony Albanese’s leadership. He told the Sydney radio station 2GB:
So far, the prime minister’s office has referred inquiries to the Victorian Liberal branch, which had launched an investigation into branch-stacking allegations prior to the 60 Minutes and the Age story launching. So far, the prime minister’s office has referred inquiries to the Victorian Liberal branch, which had launched an investigation into branch-stacking allegations before the 60 Minutes and the Age story was launched.
Albanese said he and Victorian premier Daniel Andrews acted almost immediately, sacking Adem Somyurek as a minister the next day, and then moving to remove him from the Labor party (he resigned from the ALP ahead of his forced removal). Albanese said he and the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, had acted almost immediately, sacking Adem Somyurek as a minister the next day and then moving to remove him from the Labor party (he resigned from the ALP before his forced removal):
The Australian Council of Social Service is ramping up its campaign to have the unemployment benefit permanently increased.The Australian Council of Social Service is ramping up its campaign to have the unemployment benefit permanently increased.
CEO Cassandra Goldie said with unemployment, in real terms, predicted to reach 13% in the next few months, people cannot afford for the welfare payment to drop below the poverty line again: Its chief executive, Cassandra Goldie, said with unemployment in real terms predicted to reach 13% in the next few months, people cannot afford for the welfare payment to drop below the poverty line again:
“Instead of cutting $300 per fortnight from millions of people’s already sparse incomes next month, we need parliament to put in place a permanent, adequate jobseeker rate, which before the temporary Covid increase, [had] not been increased in over 25 years.
“There are 2.3 million people facing the $300 per fortnight cut on September 25 unless parliament acts in these two weeks. Troublingly, more than 1.1 million children are living in households that stand to have their incomes cut on 25 September.
“At the same time, there is only one job for every 12 people on jobseeker or youth allowance, borders continue to be closed, and Victoria continues to endure a long, necessary lockdown that is really tough on people and taking a toll on jobs.
“As well as being a health crisis, this is an unemployment crisis.
“People are in an impossible situation and we’re hearing from many who are only just able to cover the basics now with the current jobseeker rate and are worried about how they will pay for housing, food, and the costs of their children.
“As parliament resumes today, many people are distressed by the prospect of the planned dramatic cut in their incomes. In this parliamentary sitting, the government must urgently deliver a permanent, adequate increase to jobseeker and other income supports so that people can have security to cover the basics whilst they rebuild their lives,” Goldie said.
The federal government’s aged care response during the pandemic is going to be one of the big issues in this parliament sitting.The federal government’s aged care response during the pandemic is going to be one of the big issues in this parliament sitting.
Last week, the government announced a further $171m in funding to address some of the issues. Last week the government announced a further $171m in funding to address some of the issues.
But lobby groups, such as Aged and Community Services Australia, which represents non-profit aged care providers, says it is not enough: But lobby groups such as Aged and Community Services Australia, which represents non-profit aged care providers, says it is not enough:
“Any additional investment is obviously very welcome but we need to see big changes to prevent outbreaks,” Acsa CEO Patricia Sparrow said in a statement. “Any additional investment is obviously very welcome but we need to see big changes to prevent outbreaks,” Acsa’s chief executive Patricia Sparrow, said in a statement.
“While there is community transmission we can’t guarantee cases won’t get into aged care but our policies should aim for this and support early intervention.“While there is community transmission we can’t guarantee cases won’t get into aged care but our policies should aim for this and support early intervention.
“The better alternative is the kind of investment that will save lives and health budgets.“The better alternative is the kind of investment that will save lives and health budgets.
“The latest announcement of funds is just another stopgap. It is not enough to act as a prevention measure. It’s just more of the same drip-feed that’s kept aged care on life support even prior to the pandemic.“The latest announcement of funds is just another stopgap. It is not enough to act as a prevention measure. It’s just more of the same drip-feed that’s kept aged care on life support even prior to the pandemic.
“A national aged care advisory group could be another step forward but only if it ensures resources like infection control experts as they have in hospitals and increases staff. Undertaking audits and reviews is not an end in itself.“A national aged care advisory group could be another step forward but only if it ensures resources like infection control experts as they have in hospitals and increases staff. Undertaking audits and reviews is not an end in itself.
“Community transmission is the enemy of aged care and it is going to continue for some time. Once a single case gets into a facility it can be impossible to contain.“Community transmission is the enemy of aged care and it is going to continue for some time. Once a single case gets into a facility it can be impossible to contain.
“All states and the federal government must implement specific aged care policies that are about prevention instead of just responding to disaster when it has already occurred.“All states and the federal government must implement specific aged care policies that are about prevention instead of just responding to disaster when it has already occurred.
“Many state governments are maintaining a failed policy to keep first cases of Covid-19 within the aged care setting.“Many state governments are maintaining a failed policy to keep first cases of Covid-19 within the aged care setting.
“Aged care homes are not hospitals. They aren’t staffed like hospitals. They are not funded like hospitals. They are homes,” Sparrow said. “Aged care homes are not hospitals. They aren’t staffed like hospitals. They are not funded like hospitals. They are homes.”