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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 |
| (30 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 |
| 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. | |
| Fair Work Ombudsman compliance executive director Steve Ronson said an investigation was tracking three people of interest linked to the allegations. | |
| “That ABC story is one unfortunately very, very familiar to the Fair Work Ombudsman,” he told a parliamentary inquiry on Thursday. | |
| “It’s one we have encountered in the field for well over a decade. It’s one of the reasons why horticulture is a priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman.” | |
| Mr 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. | |
| Agriculture Minister David Littleproud on Wednesday claimed strawberry pickers could earn up to $3800 a week. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| During peak harvesting in February 2019, almost one in five agriculture workers was casual or on a contract. | |
| Of those, 45 per cent 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| The Queensland premier is still working from home though, given her illness. | |
| 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 ABS has also released a series of statistics related to law and order today: | The ABS has also released a series of statistics 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: |
| The local government association Queensland president, Mark Jamieson, has come out in support of the state’s CHO, Dr Jeannette Young. Jamieson’s statement comes following the AMAQ’s statement of support earlier this week. | The local government association Queensland president, Mark Jamieson, has come out in support of the state’s CHO, Dr Jeannette Young. Jamieson’s statement comes following the AMAQ’s statement of support earlier this week. |
| “I would like to thank the Chief Health Officer on behalf of Queensland councils for the pragmatic and fearless leadership she has shown throughout the pandemic,” he said. | “I would like to thank the Chief Health Officer on behalf of Queensland councils for the pragmatic and fearless leadership she has shown throughout the pandemic,” he said. |
| “Across the board, councils have been incredibly grateful and supportive of the evidence-based advice and strong, professional approach she has taken to protect the health, safety and well-being of Queenslanders. | “Across the board, councils have been incredibly grateful and supportive of the evidence-based advice and strong, professional approach she has taken to protect the health, safety and well-being of Queenslanders. |
| “It is because of Dr Young’s approach that Queensland is the envy of the nation, recording fewer cases and avoiding the protracted periods of public health restrictions experienced in other states and, indeed, other countries. | “It is because of Dr Young’s approach that Queensland is the envy of the nation, recording fewer cases and avoiding the protracted periods of public health restrictions experienced in other states and, indeed, other countries. |
| “This has meant that despite the challenging economic conditions, many businesses across the state have been able to continue to operate and service Queenslanders, as opposed to being forced into lockdown as has occurred elsewhere. | “This has meant that despite the challenging economic conditions, many businesses across the state have been able to continue to operate and service Queenslanders, as opposed to being forced into lockdown as has occurred elsewhere. |
| “It is due to Dr Young that Queenslanders were able to safely participate in the March 28 council elections to ensure stability for local communities at a critical time. | “It is due to Dr Young that Queenslanders were able to safely participate in the March 28 council elections to ensure stability for local communities at a critical time. |
| “Dr Young has been carrying a heavy burden in what has been arguably the most challenging time in our state’s and our nation’s history - and she deserves nothing but praise for her lifesaving work. | “Dr Young has been carrying a heavy burden in what has been arguably the most challenging time in our state’s and our nation’s history - and she deserves nothing but praise for her lifesaving work. |
| “Queenslanders are truly fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Jeannette Young as our Chief Health Officer at this time - and it is incumbent on all of us to support her in doing her job”. | “Queenslanders are truly fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Jeannette Young as our Chief Health Officer at this time - and it is incumbent on all of us to support her in doing her job”. |
| The 43-year-old Gold Coast man charged with making death threats against the premier and chief health officer in Queensland, will face a magistrates court on 7 October. | The 43-year-old Gold Coast man charged with making death threats against the premier and chief health officer in Queensland, will face a magistrates court on 7 October. |
| NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced changes to how many people can be in a stadium in NSW: | NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced changes to how many people can be in a stadium in NSW: |
| Queensland police have charged a Queensland man with making death threats against premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young. | Queensland police have charged a Queensland man with making death threats against premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young. |
| Police searched the man’s Nerang home today (in the Gold Coast west) and made the arrest. | Police searched the man’s Nerang home today (in the Gold Coast west) and made the arrest. |
| For those in Melbourne who haven’t seen it as yet, this is a very handy tool. | For those in Melbourne who haven’t seen it as yet, this is a very handy tool. |
| Anthony Albanese had a bit to say in response to Scott Morrison’s comments on needing the states to raise their caps before more stranded Australians could return home: | Anthony Albanese had a bit to say in response to Scott Morrison’s comments on needing the states to raise their caps before more stranded Australians could return home: |
| NSW has recorded five new cases of Covid in the last 24 hours. | NSW has recorded five new cases of Covid in the last 24 hours. |
| From NSW Health: | From NSW Health: |
| There were 20,411 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 19,566 in the previous 24 hours. | There were 20,411 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 19,566 in the previous 24 hours. |
| Of the five new cases to 8pm last night: | Of the five new cases to 8pm last night: |
| Two are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine | Two are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine |
| Two are locally acquired and linked to a known case or cluster | Two are locally acquired and linked to a known case or cluster |
| One is locally acquired with their source still under investigation | One is locally acquired with their source still under investigation |
| One new case is a healthcare worker from the Concord Emergency Department. They were in isolation while infectious. There are now 21 cases associated with the Liverpool/Concord ED Cluster, including eight staff. | One new case is a healthcare worker from the Concord Emergency Department. They were in isolation while infectious. There are now 21 cases associated with the Liverpool/Concord ED Cluster, including eight staff. |
| Another new case attended the Eastern Suburbs Legion Club. They were in isolation while infectious. There are now nine cases in this cluster. | Another new case attended the Eastern Suburbs Legion Club. They were in isolation while infectious. There are now nine cases in this cluster. |
| The locally acquired case under investigation is from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. While a subsequent test on the person has produced a negative result, NSW Health is taking a cautious approach and asking the individual and close contacts to remain in isolation, while further testing is undertaken. | The locally acquired case under investigation is from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. While a subsequent test on the person has produced a negative result, NSW Health is taking a cautious approach and asking the individual and close contacts to remain in isolation, while further testing is undertaken. |
| Anyone who attended the Five Stars Thaitanic, Casula on Saturday 12 September from 4.20pm to 5.20pm is considered a casual contact and must monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop. After testing, they must remain in isolation until a negative test result is received. | Anyone who attended the Five Stars Thaitanic, Casula on Saturday 12 September from 4.20pm to 5.20pm is considered a casual contact and must monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop. After testing, they must remain in isolation until a negative test result is received. |
| Queensland has recorded one new case of Covid – but it is linked to a known cluster and the person was already in self-isolation | Queensland has recorded one new case of Covid – but it is linked to a known cluster and the person was already in self-isolation |
| Alan Joyce was on ABC radio this morning, AAP reports, where he was asked about the possibility of re-starting international flights, even if it was to help rescue the more than 27,000 Australians who have registered to come home - but have been unable to get flights (or keep getting bumped off flights) | Alan Joyce was on ABC radio this morning, AAP reports, where he was asked about the possibility of re-starting international flights, even if it was to help rescue the more than 27,000 Australians who have registered to come home - but have been unable to get flights (or keep getting bumped off flights) |
| He wants the states to re-open its borders to kickstart domestic flights. | He wants the states to re-open its borders to kickstart domestic flights. |
| The spirit of Australia. | The spirit of Australia. |
| Just before the jobs figures were announced, Scott Morrison was speaking to the media at BlueScope Steel at Port Kembla. | Just before the jobs figures were announced, Scott Morrison was speaking to the media at BlueScope Steel at Port Kembla. |
| The prime minister was sticking with his position that the jobkeeper wage subsidy needed to be tapered because “keeping the Australian economy on life support” was not sustainable. But he added that the government would use next month’s budget to announce “a lot of new plans, a lot of new initiatives, that will see us grow out of this Covid recession”. | The prime minister was sticking with his position that the jobkeeper wage subsidy needed to be tapered because “keeping the Australian economy on life support” was not sustainable. But he added that the government would use next month’s budget to announce “a lot of new plans, a lot of new initiatives, that will see us grow out of this Covid recession”. |
| Asked if we would see a truer representation of joblessness in Australia once the government ended jobkeeper, Morrison said he had always said the unemployment figure the country should be watching was not the measured rate of unemployment. | Asked if we would see a truer representation of joblessness in Australia once the government ended jobkeeper, Morrison said he had always said the unemployment figure the country should be watching was not the measured rate of unemployment. |
| “The measured rate of unemployment is one thing but we know it’s much higher than that. We know the effective rate of unemployment is well over 10% and can peak a lot higher than that … Treasury advises it’s going to stay up around that 14% mark, and we know that, and we want to see that come down, and it was falling before the Victorian wave hit us, and with Victoria opening up again we would expect to see that fall again. But you can’t keep the Australian economy on jobkeeper forever, that is not the way to do things. Currently it is costing about $11bn a month, there are a lot of other things we need to invest in for Australia’s growth.” | “The measured rate of unemployment is one thing but we know it’s much higher than that. We know the effective rate of unemployment is well over 10% and can peak a lot higher than that … Treasury advises it’s going to stay up around that 14% mark, and we know that, and we want to see that come down, and it was falling before the Victorian wave hit us, and with Victoria opening up again we would expect to see that fall again. But you can’t keep the Australian economy on jobkeeper forever, that is not the way to do things. Currently it is costing about $11bn a month, there are a lot of other things we need to invest in for Australia’s growth.” |
| Morrison mounted a broader defence of the government’s approach to Covid-19. He said Australia’s GDP was down, regrettably, by 7% in the June quarter, whereas New Zealand’s economy had shrunk by 12% in the same quarter. | Morrison mounted a broader defence of the government’s approach to Covid-19. He said Australia’s GDP was down, regrettably, by 7% in the June quarter, whereas New Zealand’s economy had shrunk by 12% in the same quarter. |
| “New Zealand shut their industry down. We did not. I think we’ve made difficult but balanced decisions which means on health and on jobs and the economy we’re doing better than almost every other developed economy in the world.” | “New Zealand shut their industry down. We did not. I think we’ve made difficult but balanced decisions which means on health and on jobs and the economy we’re doing better than almost every other developed economy in the world.” |
| Some 111,000 more people are in work, a 0.9% increase in the seasonally adjusted employment rate, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force stats just released. Between July and August hours worked also rose 0.1%.Bjorn Jarvis, head of labour statistics at the ABS, said: “Employment rose almost 1 per cent but hours worked rose by a more modest 0.1 per cent. Hours fell by 4.8 per cent in Victoria, compared to a 1.8 per cent increase across the rest of Australia.”“The weaker increase in hours worked has also been reflected in the strength of the increase in part-time employment between May and August, which has been almost eight times greater than the increase in full-time employment.”Employment growth was stronger for females (67,000 people or 1.1%) than males (44,000 or 0.7%). Hours worked also increased for females (0.2%), with no change for males, and remained around 4.7% and 5.9 per cent below March respectively.Other stats: | Some 111,000 more people are in work, a 0.9% increase in the seasonally adjusted employment rate, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force stats just released. Between July and August hours worked also rose 0.1%.Bjorn Jarvis, head of labour statistics at the ABS, said: “Employment rose almost 1 per cent but hours worked rose by a more modest 0.1 per cent. Hours fell by 4.8 per cent in Victoria, compared to a 1.8 per cent increase across the rest of Australia.”“The weaker increase in hours worked has also been reflected in the strength of the increase in part-time employment between May and August, which has been almost eight times greater than the increase in full-time employment.”Employment growth was stronger for females (67,000 people or 1.1%) than males (44,000 or 0.7%). Hours worked also increased for females (0.2%), with no change for males, and remained around 4.7% and 5.9 per cent below March respectively.Other stats: |
| Unemployment decreased by 87,000 people including 55,000 women | Unemployment decreased by 87,000 people including 55,000 women |
| Participation increased by just 0.1% | Participation increased by just 0.1% |
| The unemployment rate went down by 0.7% to 6.8% | The unemployment rate went down by 0.7% to 6.8% |
| The underemployment rate remained at 11.2%, 2.4% above March. | The underemployment rate remained at 11.2%, 2.4% above March. |
| The underutilisation rate, which combines the unemployment and underemployment rates, fell 0.7% to 18.0%, but remained 4.7% higher than March. | The underutilisation rate, which combines the unemployment and underemployment rates, fell 0.7% to 18.0%, but remained 4.7% higher than March. |