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Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria reports five deaths and 15 new Covid cases as NSW records six Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria reports five deaths and 15 new Covid cases as NSW records six
(32 minutes later)
Premier Daniel Andrews hints restrictions will be eased in Melbourne on Sunday as NSW strives to boost testing. Follow all the day’s news livePremier Daniel Andrews hints restrictions will be eased in Melbourne on Sunday as NSW strives to boost testing. Follow all the day’s news live
The chief of nursing and midwifery, Alison MacMillan, has just started speaking in Canberra. Communications minister Paul Fletcher has agreed it was “unethical” for infrastructure department officials to claim it was “reasonable” to pay $30m for land at Western Sydney airport, 10 times its fair value.
She says Australia has 22 new cases in the past 24 hours, with six in NSW, all among return travellers, and one in South Australia, which was also a return traveller. The remaining 15 cases were in Victoria. Full report from my colleague Paul Karp here.
Senior Victorian government ministers Martin Pakula and Lisa Neville have distanced themselves from the state’s botched hotel quarantine program, which led to the state’s devastating second coronavirus wave.
The duo placed the blame squarely on the Department of Health and Human Services when they appeared before the state’s hotel quarantine inquiry on Wednesday, reports AAP.
“It was a health emergency, therefore the control agency was DHHS,” Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville told the inquiry.
The ministers said they don’t know who made the decision to hire private security companies to guard the state’s quarantine hotels, rather than Victoria Police or the Australian Defence Force.
The inquiry has previously heard it was Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton’s preference that private security be used, while Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp maintained there was no need for ADF “boots on the ground”.
Neville had a scheduled meeting with Ashton and Crisp at 2pm on 27 March, immediately after national cabinet announced the hotel quarantine program.
“I believe that private security was raised by Commissioner Crisp. I’m pretty confident the ADF issues were raised by Mr Ashton,” she said.
Crisp previously told the inquiry he couldn’t remember what was discussed at the meeting but didn’t think he would have brought up security.
Pakula said his department was tasked with contracting hotels and security companies for the program but it was clear the DHHS had “overall responsibility”.
Security companies involved in the Victorian hotel quarantine program are facing a class action.
The suit against United Security Group and MSS Security has been brought by Dragan Markovic, whose father, Nenad, died in hospital from coronavirus last month.
Markovic is suing for psychiatric loss and injury. “I’m just looking for justice,” he told 3AW on Wednesday.
“I think the government is very responsible (for the second wave).”
AAP reports that a writ filed in Victoria’s supreme court alleges United Security and MSS Security breached their duty of care by failing to train guards properly or put in place effective infection control measures.
Arnold Thomas and Becker Lawyers said the class action could end up encompassing about 20,000 people infected with Covid since 1 June.
It follows two lawsuits filed against St Basil’s Homes for the Aged and Epping Gardens Aged Care over virus deaths in those facilities.
McMillan says today’s numbers are “extremely encouraging”.
She says:
Australia’s chief nursing and midwifery officer, Alison McMillan, has just started speaking in Canberra.
She says Australia has 22 new cases in the past 24 hours, with six in NSW, all return travellers, and one in South Australia, also a return traveller. The remaining 15 cases were in Victoria.
Here is an interesting idea out of Tasmania.Here is an interesting idea out of Tasmania.
The state government is issuing tourism vouchers that residents can claim for free to use on experiences such as tours.The state government is issuing tourism vouchers that residents can claim for free to use on experiences such as tours.
An initial giveaway was snapped up in less than 40 minutes, AAP reports, prompting the government to announce another $5m in vouchers on Wednesday.An initial giveaway was snapped up in less than 40 minutes, AAP reports, prompting the government to announce another $5m in vouchers on Wednesday.
Residents can claim accommodation vouchers worth $100, and $50 vouchers for experiences such as tours.Residents can claim accommodation vouchers worth $100, and $50 vouchers for experiences such as tours.
About 21,000 vouchers were claimed earlier this month in the first $7.5m wave of the scheme, and some 800 have already been used.About 21,000 vouchers were claimed earlier this month in the first $7.5m wave of the scheme, and some 800 have already been used.
“The feedback from around the state has been very positive. We’re hearing of people visiting the regions, staying mid-week,” said the premier, Peter Gutwein.“The feedback from around the state has been very positive. We’re hearing of people visiting the regions, staying mid-week,” said the premier, Peter Gutwein.
Only people who missed out on the first round or have already used a voucher can apply for the new giveaway, which opens online on 30 September at 7pm.Only people who missed out on the first round or have already used a voucher can apply for the new giveaway, which opens online on 30 September at 7pm.
Remember this?Remember this?
Laws protecting residential tenants from being evicted during the pandemic will be extended for six months, the NSW government says.Laws protecting residential tenants from being evicted during the pandemic will be extended for six months, the NSW government says.
According to a statement from the better regulation minister, Kevin Anderson, the protections being extended are:According to a statement from the better regulation minister, Kevin Anderson, the protections being extended are:
Preventing landlords from evicting Covid-19 impacted tenants for rental arrears unless they have attempted to negotiate a rent reduction in good faith.Preventing landlords from evicting Covid-19 impacted tenants for rental arrears unless they have attempted to negotiate a rent reduction in good faith.
Allowing tenants impacted by Covid-19 to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal to end fixed-term agreements in certain circumstances.Allowing tenants impacted by Covid-19 to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal to end fixed-term agreements in certain circumstances.
Stopping landlords or agents from listing a Covid-19 impacted tenant on a tenancy database if they go into rental arrears.Stopping landlords or agents from listing a Covid-19 impacted tenant on a tenancy database if they go into rental arrears.
Extending the 90-day minimum period of notice landlords must give tenants for certain other evictions not related to rental arrears.Extending the 90-day minimum period of notice landlords must give tenants for certain other evictions not related to rental arrears.
Extending boarding house eviction notice periods where the landlord has not attempted to negotiate in good faith.Extending boarding house eviction notice periods where the landlord has not attempted to negotiate in good faith.
Legislation will be needed to extend some of the protections, which expire on 15 October.Legislation will be needed to extend some of the protections, which expire on 15 October.
Anderson said:Anderson said:
Here is my colleague Paul Karp’s report on the very strong criticism levelled at Alan Tudge by a federal court judge. The move contrasts with the Queensland government, which has elected not to extend its moratorium.
There is a national Covid update coming up with chief nurse and midwifery officer, Alison McMillian at 3.30pm, which Luke Henriques-Gomes will take you through. Thanks Amy. Hello all, it’s Luke Henriques-Gomes here.
To get started, he is my colleague Paul Karp’s report on the very strong criticism levelled at Alan Tudge by a federal court judge.
There is a national Covid update coming up with chief nurse and midwifery officer, Alison McMillan at 3.30pm, which Luke Henriques-Gomes will take you through.
But congratulations – we all made it through the hump of hump day, in this hump year. I’m going to go listen to some of the sad songs you have sent me on Twitter and enjoy some healthy wallowing. I’ll be back tomorrow morning – but in the meantime, take care of you. AxBut congratulations – we all made it through the hump of hump day, in this hump year. I’m going to go listen to some of the sad songs you have sent me on Twitter and enjoy some healthy wallowing. I’ll be back tomorrow morning – but in the meantime, take care of you. Ax
Here we go again.Here we go again.
That this is not the first time we have heard of this – and that so many people just sort of shrug it off, says a lot about Australia’s humanity in general this last decade.That this is not the first time we have heard of this – and that so many people just sort of shrug it off, says a lot about Australia’s humanity in general this last decade.
Approximately 20 people have now been arrested and fined at protests at the University of Sydney. Earlier, we told you that hundreds of students and staff had gathered without arrests in an outdoor classroom that coincided with a protest against the federal government’s changes to degrees, and universities cutting jobs.Approximately 20 people have now been arrested and fined at protests at the University of Sydney. Earlier, we told you that hundreds of students and staff had gathered without arrests in an outdoor classroom that coincided with a protest against the federal government’s changes to degrees, and universities cutting jobs.
That was a far cry from previous weeks, where protestors were broken up even in groups of fewer than 19, spaced apart.That was a far cry from previous weeks, where protestors were broken up even in groups of fewer than 19, spaced apart.
This afternoon, arrests were made after the outdoor classroom finished, and dozens of students then moved off the campus and down City Road and through Victoria Park in Sydney.This afternoon, arrests were made after the outdoor classroom finished, and dozens of students then moved off the campus and down City Road and through Victoria Park in Sydney.
Earlier in the day, academics and students gave lectures on the importance of protest, the issues with university casualisation and other criticism of the higher ed changes – all without arrests.Earlier in the day, academics and students gave lectures on the importance of protest, the issues with university casualisation and other criticism of the higher ed changes – all without arrests.
Yesterday, staff spoke out against against “political censorship” from NSW police and the suppression of freedom of speech, after students were arrested last week for gathering in spaced out groups of 19, even as other students had lunch in larger groups nearby.Yesterday, staff spoke out against against “political censorship” from NSW police and the suppression of freedom of speech, after students were arrested last week for gathering in spaced out groups of 19, even as other students had lunch in larger groups nearby.
In Victoria at the current time:In Victoria at the current time:
4,268 cases may indicate community transmission – no change since yesterday.4,268 cases may indicate community transmission – no change since yesterday.
554 cases are currently active in Victoria.554 cases are currently active in Victoria.
75 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including eight in intensive care.75 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including eight in intensive care.
18,713 people have recovered from the virus.18,713 people have recovered from the virus.
A total of 2,609,485 test results have been received which is an increase of 15,741 since yesterday.A total of 2,609,485 test results have been received which is an increase of 15,741 since yesterday.
Of the 554 current active cases in Victoria:Of the 554 current active cases in Victoria:
537 are in metropolitan Melbourne under the First Step of our roadmap.537 are in metropolitan Melbourne under the First Step of our roadmap.
14 are in regional local government areas under the Third Step of our roadmap14 are in regional local government areas under the Third Step of our roadmap
Three are either unknown or subject to further investigation.Three are either unknown or subject to further investigation.
Colac Otway has five active cases, Greater Geelong has two active cases, Greater Bendigo has one active case and Ballarat has no active cases.Colac Otway has five active cases, Greater Geelong has two active cases, Greater Bendigo has one active case and Ballarat has no active cases.
Of the total cases:Of the total cases:
18,710 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 1,192 are from regional Victoria.18,710 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 1,192 are from regional Victoria.
Total cases include 9,581 men and 10,506 women.Total cases include 9,581 men and 10,506 women.
Total number of healthcare workers: 3,510, active cases: 73.Total number of healthcare workers: 3,510, active cases: 73.
There are 284 active cases relating to aged care facilities.There are 284 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:
256 cases have been linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee.256 cases have been linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee.
219 cases have been linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping.219 cases have been linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping.
166 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer.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.
131 cases have been linked to BlueCross Ruckers Hill Aged Care Facility in Northcote.131 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.124 cases have been linked to Cumberland Manor Aged Care Facility in Sunshine North.
122 cases have been linked to Japara Goonawarra Aged Care Facility in Sunbury.122 cases have been linked to Japara Goonawarra Aged Care Facility in Sunbury.
121 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Heidelberg.121 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Heidelberg.
108 cases have been linked to Glendale Aged Care Facility in Werribee.108 cases have been linked to Glendale Aged Care Facility in Werribee.
Victoria Health has put out its daily data sheet:Victoria Health has put out its daily data sheet:
In other news, the Victorian government IS seeking to claim public interest immunity in the supreme court challenge to its Melbourne curfew.In other news, the Victorian government IS seeking to claim public interest immunity in the supreme court challenge to its Melbourne curfew.
So what does that mean.So what does that mean.
Paul Keating thinks the Reserve Bank is not doing enough to head off the worst of the economic crisis.Paul Keating thinks the Reserve Bank is not doing enough to head off the worst of the economic crisis.
He criticises the RBA for being timid – not stepping outside central bank orthodoxy. By that, he mentions the banks unwillingness to consider what we know of as ‘money printing’ – that’s what’s he means when he sarcastically pings the RBA for not considering ‘buying bonds directly from the Treasury’.He criticises the RBA for being timid – not stepping outside central bank orthodoxy. By that, he mentions the banks unwillingness to consider what we know of as ‘money printing’ – that’s what’s he means when he sarcastically pings the RBA for not considering ‘buying bonds directly from the Treasury’.
The RBA has been buying bonds from the secondary market – PJK is saying it could cut out the middleman and just buy directly from the Treasury – which is essentially, the Treasury printing money for the bank to distribute straight into the economy.The RBA has been buying bonds from the secondary market – PJK is saying it could cut out the middleman and just buy directly from the Treasury – which is essentially, the Treasury printing money for the bank to distribute straight into the economy.
Keating thinks this is because the RBA’s leaders are a bit too concerned with what their international colleagues will think about them at their annual bank for international settlements meeting in Switzerland.Keating thinks this is because the RBA’s leaders are a bit too concerned with what their international colleagues will think about them at their annual bank for international settlements meeting in Switzerland.
Instead, he says we need out of the box thinking – and he’s saying that as someone who had trust in the RBA, even when it came at great political cost to him.Instead, he says we need out of the box thinking – and he’s saying that as someone who had trust in the RBA, even when it came at great political cost to him.
Keating also thinks the central bank needs to start concentrating on helping the government meet the task of full employment.Keating also thinks the central bank needs to start concentrating on helping the government meet the task of full employment.
The theory there is, if you have full employment, the budget takes care of itself.The theory there is, if you have full employment, the budget takes care of itself.
If you think it is sounding very MMT-ish, that’s because it kinda is. There has been a big push for Australia’s central bank to adopt some of the MMT measures to get Australia out of the coronacession, and some of its biggest points are what PJK is touching on here.If you think it is sounding very MMT-ish, that’s because it kinda is. There has been a big push for Australia’s central bank to adopt some of the MMT measures to get Australia out of the coronacession, and some of its biggest points are what PJK is touching on here.
And he finishes with:And he finishes with:
PJK continues:PJK continues:
Paul Keating has put out one of his rare (although not so lately) statements.Paul Keating has put out one of his rare (although not so lately) statements.
This time, it is on the Reserve Bank and monetary policy.This time, it is on the Reserve Bank and monetary policy.
I would never presume to be able to summarise Paul J Keating, so here it is:I would never presume to be able to summarise Paul J Keating, so here it is: