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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/sep/21/coronavirus-australia-live-updates-nsw-taxi-contact-tracing-health-victoria-daniel-andrews-hotel-quarantine-business-economy-budget-josh-frydenberg
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| Coronavirus Australia live update: NRL proposes 25% staff cut as Victoria reports 11 new cases and NSW four | Coronavirus Australia live update: NRL proposes 25% staff cut as Victoria reports 11 new cases and NSW four |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Victoria’s infections continue to fall as Covid testing rates drop across Australia. Follow live | Victoria’s infections continue to fall as Covid testing rates drop across Australia. Follow live |
| Don’t put your cloth masks into the dryer. | |
| I can not stress this enough. Particularly if your cloth mask has a filter in it. For example. | |
| That ended with this exchange: | |
| Norman Swan: Why haven’t you revealed what’s in the research funding package? ANU vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt said on this program last week, the sector would be in real trouble unless the government revealed what was in that package. When will universities see what’s on the table for research? I mean, this is our research future we’re talking about here. | |
| Dan Tehan: So, I’ve been working very cooperatively with the sector on what we need to do to put ballast into our research sector, as a result of the declining international students. We’ve got the Budget coming up in less than three weeks now. I think it’s two weeks. So, what we will be doing is we will be continuing to work with the sector, and we’ll have more to say in the Budget about it. | |
| And it looks like there is some sort of program being put together to allow more international students to attend Australian universities. | |
| Norman Swan: The ANU, University of New South Wales, RMIT, all announced very large cuts in jobs. The unions estimate the losses at around 12,000 since the pandemic first struck. This could be your legacy. It’s on your watch. How worried are you about the cumulative effect on our tertiary education system of these losses? | |
| Dan Tehan: Look, it’s an incredibly difficult time for the higher education sector, no doubt about that … | |
| Swan: … But, aren’t you making it worse with changes to, you know, how the universities are funded and research and so on? | |
| Tehan: | |
| Swan: But, we could, we could bring back these students, couldn’t we? It’s not beyond [inaudible]. We could do rapid testing, we could put them into quarantine facilities, on universities or elsewhere. Twenty universities in the UK are chartering their own flights to get thousands of Chinese students back. I mean, there’s lots of things happening, which could lock us out of this international market for a long time. Surely, we could be innovative. | |
| Tehan: | |
| Dan Tehan spoke to Norman Swan on ABC radio this morning, where Dr Swan asked him about what was happening with childcare: | |
| Swan: You announced yesterday more support for child care operators in Victoria, which will be in place for most of January. So, obviously, Victoria’s taken an economic hit, but we also hear that child care operators are finding it tough in tourist areas in Australia, so it’s not just Victoria. Why aren’t these provisions being made available in other states, even in a targeted fashion? | |
| Tehan: Yeah, look, it’s a good question, and there are some measures which we are keeping in place for the rest of Australia, and we also have other support mechanisms for those child care centres that we can target on a case by case basis, and that’s what we will be doing. So, for all those providers who might be in areas hard hit, such as tourism areas, we can provide case by case support to those facilities as well. So, the package yesterday, predominantly for Victoria, obviously they’ve been very hard hit by this second Victorian wave, but, case by case, there are support mechanisms there for other providers around the nation. | |
| Swan: But, what we’ve been told by the sector is that it can be eye wateringly complex, and some child care centres are just giving up on applications for funds. How can you simplify it? | |
| Tehan: Look, so, one of the things that we’ve obviously been very successful at through this pandemic is keeping 99 per cent of our child care providers operational, and providing that important care to young children. Now, with these additional measures, we are looking to make sure, for those centres who need support and relief, that we will be simplifying those measures, and, obviously, we will continue to work with the sector and engage with them to make sure that those application processes are as seamless as possible and as quick as possible. But, one of the things that we have been able to do, unlike many other countries, is keep the sector up, operational and viable, and I take my hat off, in particular, to all those early childhood educators who, right through this pandemic, have provided that really important care to young Australians. | |
| Swan: Do you think parents understand the activity test? I tried to read about it last and I thought, I just, I don’t understand that, if I was a parent. | |
| Tehan: Look, what the activity test is, in simple terms, is what we want you to do is either, through work or volunteering, is to be contributing, and, in return, what the government does is provide you with subsidised child care. Now, the way it works is rather complex, but what, that’s why we’ve now extended the activity test, or exemptions from the activity test, for all families, right through till, to April. This is something that the sector asked for us to do nationally. It’s something that we’ve done nationally, because, most importantly, what it will enable is those families who have lost work or lost working hours to be able to get additional support. | |
| Things appear to be getting interesting at the Victoria hotel quarantine inquiry. | |
| Josh Taylor is listening to that for you and will have an update soon: | |
| AAP also has an update on New Zealand’s restrictions: | AAP also has an update on New Zealand’s restrictions: |
| Worried about jobkeeper getting cut? Look at the dole, says social services minister Anne Ruston. One thing though – the jobseeker rate is also getting cut. But maybe those on jobkeeper could get a partial payment (it does not work the other way around). | Worried about jobkeeper getting cut? Look at the dole, says social services minister Anne Ruston. One thing though – the jobseeker rate is also getting cut. But maybe those on jobkeeper could get a partial payment (it does not work the other way around). |
| AAP reports: | AAP reports: |
| Meanwhile, the Queensland election date is ticking ever closer. | Meanwhile, the Queensland election date is ticking ever closer. |
| Anyone losing their mind over Eddie McGuire’s trip to a night spot on the Gold Coast over the weekend – Jeff Kennett, we’re looking at you – can take a deep breath. | Anyone losing their mind over Eddie McGuire’s trip to a night spot on the Gold Coast over the weekend – Jeff Kennett, we’re looking at you – can take a deep breath. |
| The Collingwood president was at the Pink Flamingo on Saturday night in a business capacity and was merely on a reconnaissance mission to find out how similar venues in Victoria can reopen in a Covid-safe way. | The Collingwood president was at the Pink Flamingo on Saturday night in a business capacity and was merely on a reconnaissance mission to find out how similar venues in Victoria can reopen in a Covid-safe way. |
| “As you are well aware, I do a few different things in my life, including being on the board of Visit Victoria, and … speak extensively to people in the restaurant and hospitality industry about how we get Victoria going again,” McGuire said on Triple M this Monday. [That is] part of what I was looking at the other night and how that all works. | “As you are well aware, I do a few different things in my life, including being on the board of Visit Victoria, and … speak extensively to people in the restaurant and hospitality industry about how we get Victoria going again,” McGuire said on Triple M this Monday. [That is] part of what I was looking at the other night and how that all works. |
| Hawthorn president Kennett had taken a pop at his Collingwood counterpart, saying McGuire’s “jiving at the Pink Flamingo” was “a hell of a contradiction”, given AFL players and officials remain under effective lockdown in hubs. “It looks silly,” Kennett said. | Hawthorn president Kennett had taken a pop at his Collingwood counterpart, saying McGuire’s “jiving at the Pink Flamingo” was “a hell of a contradiction”, given AFL players and officials remain under effective lockdown in hubs. “It looks silly,” Kennett said. |
| But McGuire is not part of the Pies’ hub and did not break any biosecurity rules on his night out. Nor is he part of the AFL hub on the Gold Coast. | But McGuire is not part of the Pies’ hub and did not break any biosecurity rules on his night out. Nor is he part of the AFL hub on the Gold Coast. |
| McGuire has called for tough sanctions to be meted out for players who breach Covid protocols, and he has been outspoken in his criticism of players from other clubs caught out. He said of Richmond pair Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones (who left their hub before getting into a drunken altercation outside a strip club – that “the idiot soup kicked in on them and they decided it was a good idea to break every rule they’ve been told for the last three months”. | McGuire has called for tough sanctions to be meted out for players who breach Covid protocols, and he has been outspoken in his criticism of players from other clubs caught out. He said of Richmond pair Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones (who left their hub before getting into a drunken altercation outside a strip club – that “the idiot soup kicked in on them and they decided it was a good idea to break every rule they’ve been told for the last three months”. |
| But he was forced to hit back at claims of hypocrisy in July when Pies midfielder Steele Sidebottom was given a relatively lenient sanction and was not stripped of the vice-captaincy for multiple breaches. | But he was forced to hit back at claims of hypocrisy in July when Pies midfielder Steele Sidebottom was given a relatively lenient sanction and was not stripped of the vice-captaincy for multiple breaches. |
| The head of the Victorian premier’s department said he was “not aware” how a decision was made to use private security guards in the state’s bungled hotel quarantine program. | The head of the Victorian premier’s department said he was “not aware” how a decision was made to use private security guards in the state’s bungled hotel quarantine program. |
| Department of premier and cabinet secretary Chris Eccles told the inquiry on Monday he was not aware of his department’s involvement in an alleged deal on 27 March to use private security instead of police at the hotels, as text messages produced from former police commissioner Graham Ashton had suggested. | Department of premier and cabinet secretary Chris Eccles told the inquiry on Monday he was not aware of his department’s involvement in an alleged deal on 27 March to use private security instead of police at the hotels, as text messages produced from former police commissioner Graham Ashton had suggested. |
| He said it was also possible but “extremely unlikely” that his department could have made such an arrangement without his knowledge. | He said it was also possible but “extremely unlikely” that his department could have made such an arrangement without his knowledge. |
| Minutes from a Victorian Secretaries board meeting later that afternoon record Ashton as expressing the view that having Victoria police as a “static presence” in hotels for a long period of time would be a challenge, and Ashton and Eccles assuming private contractors would be used. | Minutes from a Victorian Secretaries board meeting later that afternoon record Ashton as expressing the view that having Victoria police as a “static presence” in hotels for a long period of time would be a challenge, and Ashton and Eccles assuming private contractors would be used. |
| Eccles, as with every witness before the inquiry so far, could not say who ultimately made the decision to use private security. Eccles indicated decision making was shared by groups of different expertise in government. | Eccles, as with every witness before the inquiry so far, could not say who ultimately made the decision to use private security. Eccles indicated decision making was shared by groups of different expertise in government. |
| Rental and accommodation scams have increased, because 2020 is just the worst. | Rental and accommodation scams have increased, because 2020 is just the worst. |
| From the ACCC: | From the ACCC: |
| Australians have lost over $300,000 to rental and accommodation scams this year, an increase of 76% compared to the same time last year. | Australians have lost over $300,000 to rental and accommodation scams this year, an increase of 76% compared to the same time last year. |
| Scamwatch has received 560 reports of rental scams so far this year, an increase of 56 per cent, with many using tactics related to the Covid-19 pandemic. | Scamwatch has received 560 reports of rental scams so far this year, an increase of 56 per cent, with many using tactics related to the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| These scams target people seeking new rental accommodation by offering fake rental properties to convince people into handing over money or personal information. | These scams target people seeking new rental accommodation by offering fake rental properties to convince people into handing over money or personal information. |
| “Scammers are offering reduced rents due to Covid-19 and using the government restrictions to trick people into transferring money without inspecting the property,” ACCC deputy commissioner Delia Rickard said. | “Scammers are offering reduced rents due to Covid-19 and using the government restrictions to trick people into transferring money without inspecting the property,” ACCC deputy commissioner Delia Rickard said. |
| The scammer will post advertisements on real estate or classified websites or target people who have posted on social media that they are looking for a room. | The scammer will post advertisements on real estate or classified websites or target people who have posted on social media that they are looking for a room. |
| After the victim responds, the scammer will request an upfront deposit to secure the property or phish for personal information through a ‘tenant application form’, promising to provide the keys after the payment or information is provided. | After the victim responds, the scammer will request an upfront deposit to secure the property or phish for personal information through a ‘tenant application form’, promising to provide the keys after the payment or information is provided. |
| The scammer may come up with excuses for further payments and the victim often only realises they have been scammed when the keys don’t arrive and the scammer cuts off contact. | The scammer may come up with excuses for further payments and the victim often only realises they have been scammed when the keys don’t arrive and the scammer cuts off contact. |
| Some scammers will even impersonate real estate agents and organise fake inspections, victims will then arrive to discover the property doesn’t exist or is currently occupied. | Some scammers will even impersonate real estate agents and organise fake inspections, victims will then arrive to discover the property doesn’t exist or is currently occupied. |
| Here is the latest on how many people have accessed the early access super scheme. | Here is the latest on how many people have accessed the early access super scheme. |
| Victoria police have also released their latest fine information: | Victoria police have also released their latest fine information: |
| In the last 24 hours, Victorian police: | In the last 24 hours, Victorian police: |
| Issued a total of 177 fines to individuals for breaching the Chief Health Officer directions, including: | Issued a total of 177 fines to individuals for breaching the Chief Health Officer directions, including: |
| 13 for failing to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four approved reasons | 13 for failing to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four approved reasons |
| 6 at vehicle checkpoints | 6 at vehicle checkpoints |
| 45 for curfew breaches | 45 for curfew breaches |
| 15,714 vehicles checked at the vehicle checkpoints | 15,714 vehicles checked at the vehicle checkpoints |
| Conducted 1,174 spot checks on people at homes, businesses and public places across the state (total of 450,361 spot checks conducted since 21 March). | Conducted 1,174 spot checks on people at homes, businesses and public places across the state (total of 450,361 spot checks conducted since 21 March). |
| Please find below examples from the last 24 hours of breaches: | Please find below examples from the last 24 hours of breaches: |
| A male was fined after being stopped at the checkpoint near Bacchus Marsh. He had travelled from Coburg, stating he wanted to go to a specific grocery store in the area. | A male was fined after being stopped at the checkpoint near Bacchus Marsh. He had travelled from Coburg, stating he wanted to go to a specific grocery store in the area. |
| A male driver was intercepted at a vehicle checkpoint at Rosebud. He had travelled from Cranbourne, and stated he was in the area to get petrol. | A male driver was intercepted at a vehicle checkpoint at Rosebud. He had travelled from Cranbourne, and stated he was in the area to get petrol. |
| Police intercepted a male driver a vehicle checkpoint near Frankston. He had travelled from Doncaster, stating that there aren’t any nice parks in his area and he wanted to go to one because of the nice weather. | Police intercepted a male driver a vehicle checkpoint near Frankston. He had travelled from Doncaster, stating that there aren’t any nice parks in his area and he wanted to go to one because of the nice weather. |
| Police attended an apartment in the city and found six people present, with only three being residents of the apartment. They were all issued with a fine. | Police attended an apartment in the city and found six people present, with only three being residents of the apartment. They were all issued with a fine. |
| Two males were fined after they were located in a ride share service car in Melton just before 4am on Sunday. One male was from Deer Park while the other was from Tarneit. They stated they were going to visit family. | Two males were fined after they were located in a ride share service car in Melton just before 4am on Sunday. One male was from Deer Park while the other was from Tarneit. They stated they were going to visit family. |
| The NRL is proposing a “painful but necessary” 25% cut to its workforce in a reorganisation of its business in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff were advised on Monday of the planned changes, which will be implemented to ensure a sustainable long-term future for the game, according to the league. | The NRL is proposing a “painful but necessary” 25% cut to its workforce in a reorganisation of its business in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff were advised on Monday of the planned changes, which will be implemented to ensure a sustainable long-term future for the game, according to the league. |
| The NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, said the strategy moving forward was “to stabilise, renovate and grow”. As part of that, Abdo said the league would consider new ways to make its products “more entertaining and dynamic for our fans”, while looking at expansion into new markets and how to grow the game internationally: | The NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, said the strategy moving forward was “to stabilise, renovate and grow”. As part of that, Abdo said the league would consider new ways to make its products “more entertaining and dynamic for our fans”, while looking at expansion into new markets and how to grow the game internationally: |
| The NRL will consult with employees over the coming week about the restructure proposals. | The NRL will consult with employees over the coming week about the restructure proposals. |