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Coronavirus Australia live updates: Victoria records 11 new cases and two deaths as NSW authorities chase taxi contacts Coronavirus Australia live updates: Victoria records 11 new cases and two deaths as NSW authorities chase taxi contacts
(32 minutes later)
NSW in the midst of a major contact-tracing exercise after a taxi driver worked while potentially infectious. Follow live NSW conducts major contact-tracing exercise after a taxi driver worked while potentially infectious, as Covid testing rates drop across Australia. Follow live
Daniel Andrews will hold his press conference at 10am.
Testing rates are also down in Queensland. The chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, says she expects that is a normal reaction to people breathing a sigh of relief after coming to the end of the latest cluster (west of Brisbane), but she would like more people to come forward to make sure there are no rogue cases.
Queensland’s deputy premier Steven Miles says talks are under way with the hotel industry to expand the hotel quarantine program and accept more returned travellers.
Queensland has reported one new case of Covid – a teenager in hotel quarantine.
For more information on the impact of the supplement cut, you can head hereFor more information on the impact of the supplement cut, you can head here
Just a reminder that with almost a million people out of work, the Covid supplement for the jobseeker unemployment benefit will be cut from $550 a fortnight to $250 a fortnight from 24 September.Just a reminder that with almost a million people out of work, the Covid supplement for the jobseeker unemployment benefit will be cut from $550 a fortnight to $250 a fortnight from 24 September.
That takes the payment from just over $1,100 to $815 a fortnight.That takes the payment from just over $1,100 to $815 a fortnight.
Australians and New Zealanders have long pinned their hopes on an eventual trans-Tasman bubble that would allow travel between the two countries to resume without a fortnight in government-run quarantine at either end.Australians and New Zealanders have long pinned their hopes on an eventual trans-Tasman bubble that would allow travel between the two countries to resume without a fortnight in government-run quarantine at either end.
But the chief executive of Air New Zealand has told an Australian newspaper he doesn’t expect the “bubble” to be in place for at least six more months.But the chief executive of Air New Zealand has told an Australian newspaper he doesn’t expect the “bubble” to be in place for at least six more months.
Greg Foran, who heads New Zealand’s flag carrier airline, made the comments to the Sydney Morning Herald, adding that he “certainly do[es] not believe we will see anything across the Tasman this calendar year.”“It’s hard to believe it would be before March next year and could well be longer,” he said.The prime ministers of both countries have frequently been asked about the proposed “bubble” since the idea was first floated, but neither would commit to a timeline before the coronavirus is brought under control.Greg Foran, who heads New Zealand’s flag carrier airline, made the comments to the Sydney Morning Herald, adding that he “certainly do[es] not believe we will see anything across the Tasman this calendar year.”“It’s hard to believe it would be before March next year and could well be longer,” he said.The prime ministers of both countries have frequently been asked about the proposed “bubble” since the idea was first floated, but neither would commit to a timeline before the coronavirus is brought under control.
There are 909 active cases of the virus in Australia and Melbourne remains in lockdown. New Zealand has 71 active cases.There are 909 active cases of the virus in Australia and Melbourne remains in lockdown. New Zealand has 71 active cases.
Has Dr Nick Coatsworth seen any modelling on when borders may reopen across the country?Has Dr Nick Coatsworth seen any modelling on when borders may reopen across the country?
On the NSW taxi driver, who was diagnosed with Covid, Dr Nick Coatsworth says: On the NSW taxi driver who was diagnosed with Covid, Dr Nick Coatsworth says:
One of the problems though, is testing rates are dropping across the nation, which makes it hard to accurately pinpoint how much virus there is in the community. One of the problems though, is that testing rates are dropping across the nation, which makes it hard to accurately pinpoint how much virus there is in the community.
Dr Nick Coatsworth:Dr Nick Coatsworth:
The federal eputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth spoke about the Victorian case numbers while on the ABC this morning: The federal deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth spoke about the Victorian case numbers while on the ABC this morning:
Gladys Berejiklian will hold her press conference at 11am.Gladys Berejiklian will hold her press conference at 11am.
Queensland’s deputy premier, Steven Miles, will hold a press conference at 9am.Queensland’s deputy premier, Steven Miles, will hold a press conference at 9am.
The last couple of days of low case numbers have also brought down the rolling average The last couple of days of low case numbers have also brought down the rolling average.
For the last 14 days (7 Sep 20 Sep 2020): For the last 14 days (7-20 September):
Metropolitan MelbourneMetropolitan Melbourne
Total cases: 482Total cases: 482
Average per day: 34.4 Average a day: 34.4
Regional VictoriaRegional Victoria
Total cases: 23Total cases: 23
Average per day: 1.6 Average a day: 1.6
Overseas, interstate or no fixed addressOverseas, interstate or no fixed address
Total cases: 2 Total cases: two
Average per day: 0.1 Average a day: 0.1
Total cases overall: 507Total cases overall: 507
Average per day: 36.2 Average a day: 36.2
These are coming out much earlier at the moment – as there is not as much data to collect.These are coming out much earlier at the moment – as there is not as much data to collect.
The two deaths are undeniably tragic. The second day of low case numbers however, will give some people hope that this second wave is close to being under control. The two deaths are undeniably tragic. The second day of low case numbers, however, will give some people hope that this second wave is close to being under control.
AAP has the latest on the Newspoll (usual poll caveats apply):AAP has the latest on the Newspoll (usual poll caveats apply):
The federal Coalition has taken a two-party-preferred lead of 51:49 over Labor in the latest Newspoll. The federal Coalition has taken a two-party-preferred lead of 51 to 49 over Labor in the latest Newspoll.
The poll published in the Australian newspaper on Monday shows a two-point rise for the Liberal-Nationals’ primary vote, to 43%, compared with Labor’s 34%.The poll published in the Australian newspaper on Monday shows a two-point rise for the Liberal-Nationals’ primary vote, to 43%, compared with Labor’s 34%.
It separates the parties from their deadlocked 50:50 two-party-preferred standings at the end of August. It separates the parties from their deadlocked 50 to 50 two-party-preferred standings at the end of August.
Major issues impacting voter sentiment over the past month have included Australia’s border closures and economic pressures linked to Covid-19 and, most recently, the government’s gas-led energy policy.Major issues impacting voter sentiment over the past month have included Australia’s border closures and economic pressures linked to Covid-19 and, most recently, the government’s gas-led energy policy.
Prime minister Scott Morrison maintains a clear margin as “better PM” – 57% – and in the “leaders’ satisfaction” stakes.Prime minister Scott Morrison maintains a clear margin as “better PM” – 57% – and in the “leaders’ satisfaction” stakes.
The survey of 2000 people taken from Wednesday to Saturday found 65% were satisfied with Morrison’s performance, up one point since August. Dissatisfaction with the prime minister fell by a point to 31%.The survey of 2000 people taken from Wednesday to Saturday found 65% were satisfied with Morrison’s performance, up one point since August. Dissatisfaction with the prime minister fell by a point to 31%.
More people were dissatisfied than satisfied with opposition leader Anthony Albanese, who recorded 40% and 39% respectively, with both levels moving in the wrong direction for Labor.More people were dissatisfied than satisfied with opposition leader Anthony Albanese, who recorded 40% and 39% respectively, with both levels moving in the wrong direction for Labor.
The poll shows Labor losing votes to both the Coalition and the Greens.The poll shows Labor losing votes to both the Coalition and the Greens.
The minor party saw a one-point uptick to 12% since August.The minor party saw a one-point uptick to 12% since August.
The Coalition posted its greatest Newspoll lead over Labor in mid-July at 53:47. The Coalition posted its greatest Newspoll lead over Labor in mid-July at 53 to 47.
Josh Frydenberg is putting the final touches on the budget – which you will be hearing a lot about in the next couple of weeks.Josh Frydenberg is putting the final touches on the budget – which you will be hearing a lot about in the next couple of weeks.
Among the expected announcements is the plan to bring forward at least part of the already legislated tax package.Among the expected announcements is the plan to bring forward at least part of the already legislated tax package.
The Australia Institute has launched a campaign against the move, which it says will not benefit the economy.The Australia Institute has launched a campaign against the move, which it says will not benefit the economy.
NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro has taken a month off. But NSW Nationals MP Leslie Williams, who was not on board the “let’s blow up the Coalition” movement, is out of the Nats – the NSW Liberals have accepted her application to cross the joint party room. The NSW Nationals leader, John Barilaro, has taken a month off. But the NSW Nationals MP Leslie Williams, who was not on board the “let’s blow up the Coalition” movement, is out of the Nats – the NSW Liberals have accepted her application to cross the joint party room.
While Victorian authorities are allowing a little cautious optimism into their updates, after recording the lowest number of daily Covid cases since mid-June yesterday, New South Wales authorities are racing to track down people a taxi driver came into contact with earlier this week.While Victorian authorities are allowing a little cautious optimism into their updates, after recording the lowest number of daily Covid cases since mid-June yesterday, New South Wales authorities are racing to track down people a taxi driver came into contact with earlier this week.
The driver, who travelled in the Sydney suburbs of Moorebank, Bankstown, Chipping Norton, Liverpool, Lidcombe, Warwick Farm and Milperra may have been infectious when he worked across nine shifts on September 7 to 10, and 14 to 18. The driver, who travelled in the Sydney suburbs of Moorebank, Bankstown, Chipping Norton, Liverpool, Lidcombe, Warwick Farm and Milperra, may have been infectious when he worked across nine shifts from 7-10 and 14-18 September.
NSW Health authorities issued an alert last night – the man also visited Mama Wok’s Yum Cha in Macarthur Square at Campbelltown and Campbelltown Golf Club on 16 September. NSW Health authorities issued an alert last night – the man also visited Mama Wok’s Yum Cha in Macarthur Square at Campbelltown and Campbelltown golf club on 16 September.
He also went to the Milton Ulladulla Ex-Servicemen’s Club and Carlo’s Italian Restaurant on the NSW south coast on 12 September. There was also a trip to Bannister’s Rooftop Bar and Grill at Mollymook on 13 September.He also went to the Milton Ulladulla Ex-Servicemen’s Club and Carlo’s Italian Restaurant on the NSW south coast on 12 September. There was also a trip to Bannister’s Rooftop Bar and Grill at Mollymook on 13 September.
We’ll be learning more about that today, when Gladys Berejiklian holds her press conference.We’ll be learning more about that today, when Gladys Berejiklian holds her press conference.
In political news, it is all about gas, and how it “chose itself”, as the prime minister continues pushing his new energy plan.In political news, it is all about gas, and how it “chose itself”, as the prime minister continues pushing his new energy plan.
We’ll cover all the day’s events as they happen – you have Amy Remeikis with you.We’ll cover all the day’s events as they happen – you have Amy Remeikis with you.
Ready?Ready?