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Coronavirus live update Australia: Victoria records 116 new cases and 15 deaths as Queensland reports one new case Coronavirus live update Australia: Victoria records 116 new cases and 15 deaths as Queensland reports one new case
(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 updatesBrisbane 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
Scott Ryan would also like some uniformity in restrictions - to allow MPs to come to Canberra and do their job, unhindered. Daniel Andrews will hold his press conference at 11am.
He also has some very strong words on parliament being cancelled. Don’t expect to hear a lot about this *in* parliament –but you’ll be hearing a lot about it *outside* parliament.
Scott Ryan, the president of the Senate, is giving a bit of a nudge to the government - of which he is a member - to remind it it does not have the power to cancel Senate sittings. The federal government’s aged care response will most likely be the target of question time today, but that doesn’t mean Labor is going to let the Victorian Liberal branch-stacking story drop – or what it sees as Scott Morrison’s leadership responsibilities.
Mark Dreyfus has released this statement:
The Prime Minister must take immediate action against senior members of his own Government involved in branch stacking and abuse of Commonwealth resources.
This is a test for Scott Morrison. This is the test that he himself set when there were allegations about Victorian Labor.
Anthony Albanese showed leadership by moving immediately to expel from the party the senior Labor figure accused of branch stacking.
Daniel Andrews showed leadership by removing from his front bench those implicated in the scandal.
The test for Mr Morrison is what leadership will he demonstrate when it comes to the Victorian Branch of the Liberal Party?
The determination published by his own government makes clear “Electorate Officers … are employed to assist the Senator or Member to carry out duties as a Member of Parliament, and not for party political purposes.”
Instead, as 60 Minutes and Nine Newspapers have revealed, taxpayer-funded electorate officers were employed within the offices of Federal Liberal MPs for the sole purpose of branch-stacking.
And, it’s clear from the evidence provided by 60 Minutes, Mr Sukkar was aware of, and endorsed this clear abuse of Commonwealth resources.
As former counsel to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption Geoffrey Watson SC declared “I very much doubt that Sukkar can or should remain a minister of the Crown. A minister is a position of real power and thus real trust and you cannot have it in the hands of people who abuse it.”
This is a clear test for Mr Morrison – will he follow Anthony Albanese’s lead and act decisively against senior figures within his own party?
It’s time for Scott Morrison to demonstrate leadership and character and expel all those involved in this scandal, and immediately establish a powerful, independent and transparent National Integrity Commission.
This is also a pretty big issue which has been ticking away.
Penny Wong, Labor’s leader in the Senate, rises to thank Scott Ryan for his “guardianship” of the Senate.
It was a pretty ballsy five-minute statement from Ryan there – he effectively gave the government a public slap for cancelling parliament. Ryan announced he would not be contesting the next election, which gives him some freedom, but he seems more incensed that the Senate’s autonomy has been overridden by the decision to cancel parliament.
It is Wong, not Mathias Cormann, her government counterpart, who gives Ryan support here. She suggests Ryan and Speaker of the House, Tony Smith, seek independent advice if there is another attempt to cancel a parliament sitting:
Scott Ryan would also like some uniformity in restrictions – to allow MPs to come to Canberra and do their job, unhindered.
He also has some strong words on parliament being cancelled:
Scott Ryan, the president of the Senate, is giving a bit of a nudge to the government – of which he is a member – to remind it it does not have the power to cancel Senate sittings:
Scott Ryan has welcomed the senators who are attending the Senate remotely.Scott Ryan has welcomed the senators who are attending the Senate remotely.
There were three smiling faces, and one torso/pelvis region, so things are going really well so far.There were three smiling faces, and one torso/pelvis region, so things are going really well so far.
The Nine Network’s Masked Singer has had production scrapped because it turns out there might not have been enough masks – a dancer on the show has been diagnosed with Covid. The Masked Singer has had production scrapped because it turns out there might not have been enough masks – a dancer on the show has been diagnosed with Covid.
AAP reports that also impacts another show (and one I had no idea was still on, so there you go), Millionaire Hotseat:AAP reports that also impacts another show (and one I had no idea was still on, so there you go), Millionaire Hotseat:
A television show that shared studio facilities in Melbourne with 10’s The Masked Singer has halted production after a dancer on the celebrity singing program caught the coronavirus.A television show that shared studio facilities in Melbourne with 10’s The Masked Singer has halted production after a dancer on the celebrity singing program caught the coronavirus.
Channel Nine confirmed its quiz show Millionaire Hotseat is the second show to go into hiatus in the Victorian capital after TMS temporarily pulled the plug when more crew members tested positive for COVID-19.Channel Nine confirmed its quiz show Millionaire Hotseat is the second show to go into hiatus in the Victorian capital after TMS temporarily pulled the plug when more crew members tested positive for COVID-19.
The dancer on the set of TMS in Melbourne’s Docklands has been hailed for raising the alarm just hours before the filming of the finale.The dancer on the set of TMS in Melbourne’s Docklands has been hailed for raising the alarm just hours before the filming of the finale.
The entire production team, including host Osher Gunsberg and celebrity judges Dannii Minogue and Dave Hughes, are in self-isolation.The entire production team, including host Osher Gunsberg and celebrity judges Dannii Minogue and Dave Hughes, are in self-isolation.
Gunsberg revealed the Network Ten show, in which masked celebrities compete against each other in a singing competition, was two hours away from recording its grand finale.Gunsberg revealed the Network Ten show, in which masked celebrities compete against each other in a singing competition, was two hours away from recording its grand finale.
“We are ready to go and ... this young person put their hand up and said, ‘Hang on, guys, I’m not feeling so great, I should probably let you know this,’” he told The Project on Sunday.“We are ready to go and ... this young person put their hand up and said, ‘Hang on, guys, I’m not feeling so great, I should probably let you know this,’” he told The Project on Sunday.
“They were brave enough to pull the emergency brake on this freight train. We hit stop and everything shut down.”“They were brave enough to pull the emergency brake on this freight train. We hit stop and everything shut down.”
Gunsberg, who is awaiting his test result, hoped their courage would serve as an example to others.Gunsberg, who is awaiting his test result, hoped their courage would serve as an example to others.
“Nothing is as important as everyone’s safety,” he said.“Nothing is as important as everyone’s safety,” he said.
The show was granted an exemption to keep filming in Melbourne despite the city’s strict stage-four lockdown restrictions.The show was granted an exemption to keep filming in Melbourne despite the city’s strict stage-four lockdown restrictions.
“There are some productions if they weren’t to continue then they would be lost to Victoria,” Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Sunday.“There are some productions if they weren’t to continue then they would be lost to Victoria,” Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Sunday.
“It’s done on a case-by-case basis and it’s always accompanied by a COVIDSafe Plan.”“It’s done on a case-by-case basis and it’s always accompanied by a COVIDSafe Plan.”
Chief health officer Brett Sutton said some crew had tested positive but insisted it did not necessarily mean there had been a breach of any guidelines.Gunsberg said the show’s producers had been working “hand in glove” with the Department of Health and Human Services to prove production was safe. Chief health officer Brett Sutton said some crew had tested positive but insisted it did not necessarily mean there had been a breach of any guidelines.
Gunsberg said the show’s producers had been working “hand in glove” with the Department of Health and Human Services to prove production was safe.
“I’m really militant about this stuff [COVID-19[,” he said. “I’ve never been on a stricter set, on a more segregated set.“I’m really militant about this stuff [COVID-19[,” he said. “I’ve never been on a stricter set, on a more segregated set.
“Everyone was working in little pods. No people crossed over.”“Everyone was working in little pods. No people crossed over.”
The Victorian health department is continuing to investigate the outbreak.The Victorian health department is continuing to investigate the outbreak.
David Littleproud will be getting ahead of colleagues Bridget McKenzie, Perin Davey and Dr Anne Webster and their border press conference at 11.45am by holding one of his own at 10.45pm.David Littleproud will be getting ahead of colleagues Bridget McKenzie, Perin Davey and Dr Anne Webster and their border press conference at 11.45am by holding one of his own at 10.45pm.
Parliament has started with an allowance to allow the remote participation of parliament for MPs in isolation.Parliament has started with an allowance to allow the remote participation of parliament for MPs in isolation.
Welcome to 2020, Australian parliament. We’ve been waiting for you.Welcome to 2020, Australian parliament. We’ve been waiting for you.
The bells are ringing – the winter break, such as it was, is officially over.The bells are ringing – the winter break, such as it was, is officially over.
Related: my eye twitch is back.Related: my eye twitch is back.
Things seem to be going really well for the LNP in Queensland.Things seem to be going really well for the LNP in Queensland.
“Alibi of coronavirus” is a totally normal thing to say.“Alibi of coronavirus” is a totally normal thing to say.
AAP has some more on the AMP news from this morning:
David Murray has resigned as chairman of AMP as part of a major shake-up after some major shareholders raised accountability concerns in the aftermath of a sexual harassment complaint against an executive.
Executives John Fraser and Boe Pahari have also stepped away from their current positions at the wealth manager.
Debra Hazelton has been appointed as Murray’s replacement.
Pahari stepped down at AMP Capital chief executive and will return to his previous role within the firm’s infrastructure equity branch.
“These changes respond to feedback expressed by some major shareholders regarding the appointment of Mr Pahari as AMP Capital CEO,” the company said in a statement on Monday.
Murray said AMP needed to move beyond the “distraction” of the case, which has been settled.
“The board has made it clear that it has always treated the complaint against Mr Pahari seriously,” he said.
“My view remains that it was dealt with appropriately in 2017 and Mr Pahari was penalised accordingly.
“However, it is clear to me that, although there is considerable support for our strategy, some shareholders did not consider Mr Pahari’s promotion to AMP Capital CEO to be appropriate.”
De Ferrari will assume direct leadership of AMP Capital while a replacement chief executive is found.
Hazelton thanked Murray’ for his leadership over the past two years.
“I am determined to restore the trust and confidence of our clients, shareholders and employees,” she said.
Fraser, a former Treasury secretary, has resigned as a non-executive director on the AMP Limited board and as chairman and non-executive director on the AMP Capital Holdings Limited board.
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.
We’ll keep you posted.
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 any more. 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 of 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: