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| Coronavirus Australia live update: unemployment rate falls as Victoria records 28 new Covid cases and NSW five | Coronavirus Australia live update: unemployment rate falls as Victoria records 28 new Covid cases and NSW five |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Queensland registers one new case of Covid as Scott Morrison announces new energy plan that diverts funding away from renewables. Follow all today’s news | Queensland registers one new case of Covid as Scott Morrison announces new energy plan that diverts funding away from renewables. Follow all today’s news |
| Paul Karp and Daniel Hurst have looked at the unemployment figures: | |
| Brendan O’Connor, Labor’s shadow minister for employment and industry, has responded to the job figures today: | |
| Things have gone very quiet this afternoon. | |
| There is a very Friday feel to this not-Friday. | |
| The state’s official data continues: | The state’s official data continues: |
| In Victoria at the current time: | In Victoria at the current time: |
| 4,272 cases may indicate community transmission – a decrease of six since yesterday | 4,272 cases may indicate community transmission – a decrease of six since yesterday |
| 947 cases are currently active in Victoria | 947 cases are currently active in Victoria |
| 97 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 12 in intensive care | 97 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 12 in intensive care |
| 18,217 people have recovered from the virus | 18,217 people have recovered from the virus |
| A total of 2,535,134 test results have been received, which is an increase of 14,247 since yesterday. | A total of 2,535,134 test results have been received, which is an increase of 14,247 since yesterday. |
| Of the 947 active cases in Victoria: | Of the 947 active cases in Victoria: |
| 907 are in metropolitan Melbourne under the first step of our roadmap | |
| 33 are in regional local government areas under the third step of our roadmap. There are no new cases in regional Victoria. | |
| 5 are interstate residents | 5 are interstate residents |
| 2 are either unknown or subject to further investigation | 2 are either unknown or subject to further investigation |
| Colac Otway has 16 active cases, greater Geelong has three active cases, greater Bendigo has one active case and Ballarat has no active cases. | |
| Of the total cases: | Of the total cases: |
| 18,591 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 1201 are from regional Victoria | 18,591 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 1201 are from regional Victoria |
| Total cases include 9523 men and 10,433 women | Total cases include 9523 men and 10,433 women |
| Total number of healthcare workers: 3,461; active cases: 143 | |
| There are 464 active cases relating to aged care facilities | There are 464 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: |
| 252 cases have been linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee | 252 cases have been linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee |
| 218 cases have been linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping | 218 cases have been linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping |
| 215 cases have been linked to St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner | 215 cases have been linked to St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner |
| 166 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care facility in Ardeer | |
| 140 cases have been linked to Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth | 140 cases have been linked to Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth |
| 130 cases have been linked to BlueCross Ruckers Hill Aged Care facility in Northcote | |
| 128 cases have been linked to Twin Parks Aged Care in Reservoir | 128 cases have been linked to Twin Parks Aged Care in Reservoir |
| 124 cases have been linked to Cumberland Manor Aged Care facility in Sunshine North | |
| 120 cases have been linked to Japara Goonawarra Aged Care facility in Sunbury | |
| 119 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care facility in Heidelberg | |
| In Victoria there are currently two active cases in residential disability accommodation: | In Victoria there are currently two active cases in residential disability accommodation: |
| Total resident cases: 0; total ttaff cases: 2 | |
| Active cases in NDIS homes: 2 (0 residents) | Active cases in NDIS homes: 2 (0 residents) |
| Active cases in “transfer” homes (state regulated/funded): 0 | |
| Active cases in state government delivered and funded homes: 0 | |
| Non-aged care outbreaks with the highest number of active cases include: | Non-aged care outbreaks with the highest number of active cases include: |
| 33 active cases are currently linked to the Casey community outbreak (total cases: 34) | 33 active cases are currently linked to the Casey community outbreak (total cases: 34) |
| 13 active cases are currently linked to Footscray hospital (total cases: 15) | |
| 8 active cases are currently linked to Bulla Dairy Foods in Colac (total cases: 20) | 8 active cases are currently linked to Bulla Dairy Foods in Colac (total cases: 20) |
| 9 active cases are currently linked to Vawdrey Australia truck manufacturer (total cases: 64) | |
| 6 active cases are currently linked to Wydinia Kindergarten in Colac (total cases: 16) | 6 active cases are currently linked to Wydinia Kindergarten in Colac (total cases: 16) |
| 5 active cases are currently linked to Dandenong police station (total cases: 16) | |
| Victoria’s official data is out: | Victoria’s official data is out: |
| Victoria has recorded 28 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, with the total number of cases now at 19,970. | Victoria has recorded 28 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, with the total number of cases now at 19,970. |
| The overall total has increased by 27 due to one case being reclassified. | The overall total has increased by 27 due to one case being reclassified. |
| This is the first time Victoria has recorded under 30 cases in a day since 24 June, when we reported 20 cases in the past 24-hour period. | This is the first time Victoria has recorded under 30 cases in a day since 24 June, when we reported 20 cases in the past 24-hour period. |
| Within Victoria, 14 of the new cases are linked to outbreaks or complex cases and 14 are under investigation. | Within Victoria, 14 of the new cases are linked to outbreaks or complex cases and 14 are under investigation. |
| There have been eight new deaths from Covid-19 reported since yesterday. One woman aged in her 60s, two men aged in their 80s and three women and two men aged in their 90s. Four of the deaths occurred prior to yesterday. | There have been eight new deaths from Covid-19 reported since yesterday. One woman aged in her 60s, two men aged in their 80s and three women and two men aged in their 90s. Four of the deaths occurred prior to yesterday. |
| Six of today’s eight deaths are linked to known outbreaks in aged care facilities. To date, 745 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria. | Six of today’s eight deaths are linked to known outbreaks in aged care facilities. To date, 745 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria. |
| The average number of cases diagnosed in the last 14 days for metropolitan Melbourne is 44.4 and regional Victoria is 2.9. The rolling daily average case number is calculated by averaging out the number of new cases over the past 14 days. | The average number of cases diagnosed in the last 14 days for metropolitan Melbourne is 44.4 and regional Victoria is 2.9. The rolling daily average case number is calculated by averaging out the number of new cases over the past 14 days. |
| The total number of cases from an unknown source in the last 14 days is 83 for metropolitan Melbourne and one for regional Victoria. The 14-day period for the source of acquisition data ends 48 hours earlier than the 14-day period used to calculate the new case average, due to the time required to fully investigate a case and assign its mode of acquisition. | |
| Murph has a piece on Paul Keating and his views on super: | Murph has a piece on Paul Keating and his views on super: |
| Paul Keating has accused the Reserve Bank of Australia governor, Philip Lowe, of failing to comprehend “the key income facts of the last eight years” when he argued that lifting the super guarantee would create lower wages growth. | Paul Keating has accused the Reserve Bank of Australia governor, Philip Lowe, of failing to comprehend “the key income facts of the last eight years” when he argued that lifting the super guarantee would create lower wages growth. |
| Keating was responding to comments Lowe made to a parliamentary committee in the middle of August. The governor said if the Morrison government proceeded with lifting the guarantee from 9.5% to 12%, “I would expect wage growth to be even lower than it otherwise would be”. | Keating was responding to comments Lowe made to a parliamentary committee in the middle of August. The governor said if the Morrison government proceeded with lifting the guarantee from 9.5% to 12%, “I would expect wage growth to be even lower than it otherwise would be”. |
| Lowe said the planned increase would result in “less current income, and if there is less income there may be less spending, and if there is less spending there may be less jobs”. | Lowe said the planned increase would result in “less current income, and if there is less income there may be less spending, and if there is less spending there may be less jobs”. |
| The state emergency controllers overseeing the government’s response to Covid-19 have told the hotel quarantine inquiry that use of police and the Australian Defence Force instead of security guards could have created other problems, and may not have avoided the second wave. | The state emergency controllers overseeing the government’s response to Covid-19 have told the hotel quarantine inquiry that use of police and the Australian Defence Force instead of security guards could have created other problems, and may not have avoided the second wave. |
| The two controllers, Andrea Spiteri and Jason Helps, said that amid all the talk about the use of the ADF and police instead of security guards in hotel quarantine, it didn’t take into account that fundamentally the program was one of health and welfare, not detention. | The two controllers, Andrea Spiteri and Jason Helps, said that amid all the talk about the use of the ADF and police instead of security guards in hotel quarantine, it didn’t take into account that fundamentally the program was one of health and welfare, not detention. |
| Helps said returned travellers were Australians who had not committed any crime. He said he couldn’t be sure having police or ADF in the hotels in their uniforms would not have had a negative impact on returned travellers. | Helps said returned travellers were Australians who had not committed any crime. He said he couldn’t be sure having police or ADF in the hotels in their uniforms would not have had a negative impact on returned travellers. |
| Spiteri said her own view was that given there were issues with language and compliance among some security guards, it would have been useful for a small contingent of Victoria police to be at every hotel to set an example, but not to replace security entirely. | Spiteri said her own view was that given there were issues with language and compliance among some security guards, it would have been useful for a small contingent of Victoria police to be at every hotel to set an example, but not to replace security entirely. |
| She said in her submission: | She said in her submission: |
| The inquiry also heard the Rydges on Swanston was set up as a hotel for Covid-positive people in early April after a homeless person who had tested positive for the virus needed a place to stay. | The inquiry also heard the Rydges on Swanston was set up as a hotel for Covid-positive people in early April after a homeless person who had tested positive for the virus needed a place to stay. |
| Initially the request from the Department of Health and Human Services was declined by the hotels, with no hotel set up, but a couple of days later Rydges was established as the place Covid-positive people were transferred to in the hotel quarantine program. | Initially the request from the Department of Health and Human Services was declined by the hotels, with no hotel set up, but a couple of days later Rydges was established as the place Covid-positive people were transferred to in the hotel quarantine program. |
| Independent MP Zali Steggall has responded to the government’s announcement on Arena and Clean Energy Finance Corporation funding. She said: | Independent MP Zali Steggall has responded to the government’s announcement on Arena and Clean Energy Finance Corporation funding. She said: |
| The Australian Taxation Office is up before the Covid-19 committee – and Labor is probing the early superannuation release program. | The Australian Taxation Office is up before the Covid-19 committee – and Labor is probing the early superannuation release program. |
| They’ve discovered from the ATO’s Jeremy Hirschhorn that 1,200 people withdrew money (up to $10,000 at a time) from their superannuation and immediately deposited it back – presumably to then claim the amount they re-deposited to get a tax deduction.Hirschhorn said the ATO had wrote to those people warning them to “consider their position” – that is, that it might not be appropriate to claim that deduction. | They’ve discovered from the ATO’s Jeremy Hirschhorn that 1,200 people withdrew money (up to $10,000 at a time) from their superannuation and immediately deposited it back – presumably to then claim the amount they re-deposited to get a tax deduction.Hirschhorn said the ATO had wrote to those people warning them to “consider their position” – that is, that it might not be appropriate to claim that deduction. |
| It didn’t look like an organised rort concocted by particular tax planners, but Hirschhorn said an academic had appeared on an ABC program and suggested that as a strategy, which was “a little bit unhelpful”.In earlier evidence, ATO officials said: | It didn’t look like an organised rort concocted by particular tax planners, but Hirschhorn said an academic had appeared on an ABC program and suggested that as a strategy, which was “a little bit unhelpful”.In earlier evidence, ATO officials said: |
| They have received about 9,000 tipoffs about the misuse of jobkeeper | They have received about 9,000 tipoffs about the misuse of jobkeeper |
| 55,000 applications have been stopped in the system before an application was made | 55,000 applications have been stopped in the system before an application was made |
| 75,000 compliance actions have been undertaken | 75,000 compliance actions have been undertaken |
| 2,200 employees have been identified as having multiple applications for payments | 2,200 employees have been identified as having multiple applications for payments |
| 15,000 were found to be ineligible and removed from the scheme by the ATO | 15,000 were found to be ineligible and removed from the scheme by the ATO |
| 2,500 were partially ineligible | 2,500 were partially ineligible |
| The ATO hasn’t issued any fines but is still looking at enforcement of breaches. | The ATO hasn’t issued any fines but is still looking at enforcement of breaches. |
| Migrant worker exploitation on farms is all too familiar for Australia’s workplace watchdog, AAP reports: | Migrant worker exploitation on farms is all too familiar for Australia’s workplace watchdog, AAP reports: |
| An ABC investigation this week detailed shocking underpayment and sexual harassment of backpackers employed through recruitment companies to pick fruit. | An ABC investigation this week detailed shocking underpayment and sexual harassment of backpackers employed through recruitment companies to pick fruit. |
| The fair work ombudsman’s compliance executive director, Steve Ronson, said an investigation was tracking three people of interest linked to the allegations. | The fair work ombudsman’s compliance executive director, Steve Ronson, said an investigation was tracking three people of interest linked to the allegations. |
| He told a parliamentary inquiry on Thursday: | He told a parliamentary inquiry on Thursday: |
| Ronson said he was confident at least one person had been identified through the investigation. | Ronson said he was confident at least one person had been identified through the investigation. |
| According to the ABC, one backpacker was paid as little as $2.50 an hour picking strawberries on a piece rate in Queensland. | According to the ABC, one backpacker was paid as little as $2.50 an hour picking strawberries on a piece rate in Queensland. |
| Agriculture minister David Littleproud on Wednesday claimed strawberry pickers could earn up to $3,800 a week. | Agriculture minister David Littleproud on Wednesday claimed strawberry pickers could earn up to $3,800 a week. |
| That was based on an employer telling News Corp they paid that amount to one employee who worked six 10-hour shifts. | That was based on an employer telling News Corp they paid that amount to one employee who worked six 10-hour shifts. |
| Deputy ombudsman Kristen Hannah said reports of exploitation were concerning but didn’t give a full picture of the ombudsman’s work across the horticulture sector. | Deputy ombudsman Kristen Hannah said reports of exploitation were concerning but didn’t give a full picture of the ombudsman’s work across the horticulture sector. |
| She said compliance activity and education for migrant workers had increased over the past 18 months. | She said compliance activity and education for migrant workers had increased over the past 18 months. |
| The federal government’s agriculture researcher on Thursday laid bare the sector’s reliance on overseas workers, highlighting looming labour shortages. | The federal government’s agriculture researcher on Thursday laid bare the sector’s reliance on overseas workers, highlighting looming labour shortages. |
| During peak harvesting in February 2019, almost one in five agriculture workers was casual or on a contract. | During peak harvesting in February 2019, almost one in five agriculture workers was casual or on a contract. |
| Of those, 45% were overseas workers on a visa including the working holiday maker and seasonal worker programs. | Of those, 45% were overseas workers on a visa including the working holiday maker and seasonal worker programs. |
| That amounts to 69,000 workers, with the figure falling to 47,000 in June, when labour demand reached its low point for the year. | That amounts to 69,000 workers, with the figure falling to 47,000 in June, when labour demand reached its low point for the year. |
| The Morrison government is considering giving incentives to Australians to fill farm jobs with international borders closed. | The Morrison government is considering giving incentives to Australians to fill farm jobs with international borders closed. |
| A parliamentary inquiry has recommended a limited exemption for migrant worker schemes to bring in staff from the Pacific. | A parliamentary inquiry has recommended a limited exemption for migrant worker schemes to bring in staff from the Pacific. |
| Josh Frydenberg is talking about the budget and the need to grow the economy. | Josh Frydenberg is talking about the budget and the need to grow the economy. |
| He repeats the “this will be a long, hard, bumpy road” line he first started using when the recession became official. | He repeats the “this will be a long, hard, bumpy road” line he first started using when the recession became official. |
| The Queensland premier is still working from home though, given her illness. | The Queensland premier is still working from home though, given her illness. |
| Josh Frydenberg is addressing today’s unemployment figures: | Josh Frydenberg is addressing today’s unemployment figures: |
| Homicides are also down. Sexual assaults, however, have increased: | Homicides are also down. Sexual assaults, however, have increased: |
| The number of victims of homicide recorded by police has decreased by 40% since 1993, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which brings together 27 years of recorded crime data. | The number of victims of homicide recorded by police has decreased by 40% since 1993, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which brings together 27 years of recorded crime data. |
| William Milne said: | William Milne said: |
| There were also decreases in some property offences. The number of break-ins fell 55% to 173,344 in 2019, along with motor vehicle theft, which decreased 48% to 58,021 in 2019. | There were also decreases in some property offences. The number of break-ins fell 55% to 173,344 in 2019, along with motor vehicle theft, which decreased 48% to 58,021 in 2019. |
| However, there was a 16% increase in other theft, including stealing from another person or from retail premises, to 569,404 in 2019. | However, there was a 16% increase in other theft, including stealing from another person or from retail premises, to 569,404 in 2019. |
| The bureau of statistics has also released a series of stats related to law and order today. | The bureau of statistics has also released a series of stats related to law and order today. |
| The number of prisoners entering the prison system is down: | The number of prisoners entering the prison system is down: |
| Nationally, the total number of prisoners entering the prison system (prisoner receptions) decreased by 17% (down 2,987) for the June quarter 2020 according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This was the lowest quarterly total receptions (14,624) since the beginning of the time series in the June quarter 2016.The ABS director of the National Centre of Crime and Justice Statistics, William Milne, said that the national daily average number of prisoners also decreased by 5% over this period to 41,784, the lowest prisoner population since 2017. | Nationally, the total number of prisoners entering the prison system (prisoner receptions) decreased by 17% (down 2,987) for the June quarter 2020 according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This was the lowest quarterly total receptions (14,624) since the beginning of the time series in the June quarter 2016.The ABS director of the National Centre of Crime and Justice Statistics, William Milne, said that the national daily average number of prisoners also decreased by 5% over this period to 41,784, the lowest prisoner population since 2017. |
| These decreases for the quarter may be due to various restrictions implemented across states and territories as a result of Covid-19 which may have had an impact on criminal activity. | These decreases for the quarter may be due to various restrictions implemented across states and territories as a result of Covid-19 which may have had an impact on criminal activity. |
| Milne said: | Milne said: |
| The local government association Queensland president, Mark Jamieson, has come out in support of the state’s chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young. | The local government association Queensland president, Mark Jamieson, has come out in support of the state’s chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young. |
| Jamieson’s statement comes following the AMAQ’s statement of support earlier this week. Jamieson said: | Jamieson’s statement comes following the AMAQ’s statement of support earlier this week. Jamieson said: |