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Coronavirus Australia live update: maritime union backs off threat of further industrial action as Victoria records 15 new cases Coronavirus Australia live update: maritime union backs off threat of further industrial action as Victoria records 15 new cases
(32 minutes later)
Scott Morrison to outline Coalition’s manufacturing reboot in press club address; NSW reports two new cases in hotel quarantine; Queensland expands NSW border bubble. Follow liveScott Morrison to outline Coalition’s manufacturing reboot in press club address; NSW reports two new cases in hotel quarantine; Queensland expands NSW border bubble. Follow live
Hi all, The aged care royal commission has found the Australian government’s measures to prepare the aged care sector for Covid-19 were “insufficient” in some respects.The royal commission’s special report on aged care and Covid-19 has just been released.The report said the nation’s chief health and medical officers had acknowledged in March that Covid-19 posed a significant health risk for the elderly, “it is now clear that the measures implemented by the Australian government on advice from the AHPPC were in some respects insufficient to ensure preparedness of the aged care sector”.
It’s Naaman Zhou here. Thanks to Amy Remeikis for her work today. “Confused and inconsistent messaging from providers, the Australian Government, and State and Territory Governments emerged as themes in the submissions we have received on Covid-19. All too often, providers, care recipients and their families, and health workers did not have an answer to the critical question: who is in charge? At a time of crisis, such as this pandemic, clear leadership, direction and lines of communication are essential.”
In other IR news, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission has awarded a 0.3 per cent pay increase for public servants, which unions have called a “disgrace”. We’ll have more detail on this report shortly.
The NSW government had wanted to freeze pay rises for 12 months, which was opposed by unions and frontline workers, including paramedics, nurses, police officers and teachers, who had been seeking to get their 2.5 per cent annual pay rise. The industry minister, Karen Andrews, is on the ABC and has said she might look at a Five Eyes-esque network where Australia and similar “like-minded” countries could collaborate to set up supply chains of emergency goods.
AAP reports that the commission decided today that public servants are entitled to maintain the real value of their earnings as is consistent with the government wages policy and a pay freeze would see a 0.3 per cent reduction in the real value of their earnings. Andrews said Australia would look to boost its own manufacturing of things like surgical masks and medical supplies to make the country self-sufficient.
“The commission proposes to make awards and variations to avoid such a reduction, by awarding increases of 0.3 per cent,” the IRC said. But she added:
“We recognise that it will do little to alleviate the concerns of those witnesses and any like-minded co-workers who see the employers’ position in these proceedings as failing to recognise, let alone reward, their efforts.” ABC host Jane Norman asked her if this would be “an extension of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing network” with English-speaking countries such as the UK, New Zealand and Canada.
But the IRC noted the government sector had been shielded from some of the significant employment-related consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic that have hit other industries hard. Andrews confirmed she would be looking at those kinds of countries. She said the government would not be nationalising companies.
“There is no evidence that the pandemic has resulted in forced redundancies or other job losses in the government sector in NSW,” the commission said. Some more reaction to the decision to grant public servants in NSW a 0.3% pay rise.
The general secretary of Public Service Association, Stewart Little, said it was “absolutely diabolical” and affecting frontline staff who had worked hard during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The general secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, Brett Holmes, said it was a “disgraceful” outcome for nurses who have been putting their lives and their families at risk amid Covid-19, AAP reports.
NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos described the ruling as “nothing short of an insult”.
The decision comes after the NSW government pushed to freeze the pay of public servants.
Today, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission decided to grant public servants a 0.3% pay rise, saying that would keep the real value of their wages from sliding back.
Hi all, it’s Naaman Zhou here. Thanks to Amy Remeikis for her work today.
In other IR news, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission has awarded a 0.3% pay increase for public servants, which unions have called a “disgrace”.
The NSW government had wanted to freeze pay rises for 12 months, which was opposed by unions and frontline workers including paramedics, nurses, police officers and teachers, who had been seeking to get their 2.5% annual pay rise.
AAP reports that the commission decided today that public servants are entitled to maintain the real value of their earnings as is consistent with the government wages policy and a pay freeze would see a 0.3% reduction in the real value of their earnings.
The IRC said:
But the IRC noted the government sector had been shielded from some of the significant employment-related consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic that have hit other industries hard.
The commission said:
The decision was slammed by unions, with many describing it as disappointing and a slap in the face.The decision was slammed by unions, with many describing it as disappointing and a slap in the face.
“Today is a kick in the guts for every public sector worker that got us through not only bushfires but Covid,” Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey told reporters on Thursday. Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey told reporters on Thursday:
“It is a disgrace and I feel sorry for every public sector worker.”
NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay said she was “bitterly disappointed” by the decision.NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay said she was “bitterly disappointed” by the decision.
On that note, I am going to hand you over to Naaman Zhou for the rest of the afternoon.On that note, I am going to hand you over to Naaman Zhou for the rest of the afternoon.
I’ll be back early tomorrow morning. In the meantime – take care of you. AxI’ll be back early tomorrow morning. In the meantime – take care of you. Ax
The Maritime Union of Australia’s Sydney assistant branch secretary, Paul Garrett, has spoken about the Patricks dispute outside the Fair Work Commission in Sydney. And as flagged earlier, the dispute is not over.The Maritime Union of Australia’s Sydney assistant branch secretary, Paul Garrett, has spoken about the Patricks dispute outside the Fair Work Commission in Sydney. And as flagged earlier, the dispute is not over.
Garrett said the union had paused its industrial action, which included bans on overtime and acting in more senior duties, until the Fair Work Commission hears the company’s application on 26 and 27 October to terminate the actions.Garrett said the union had paused its industrial action, which included bans on overtime and acting in more senior duties, until the Fair Work Commission hears the company’s application on 26 and 27 October to terminate the actions.
Garrett said the union had offered the same weeks ago to suspend actions and continue negotiations. He disputed the company’s characterisation of their offer, which he said would have resulted in “mass casualisation” through engagement of 50 casuals in roles that should be full-time, and warned that the union “won’t trade off pay for job insecurity”.Garrett said the union had offered the same weeks ago to suspend actions and continue negotiations. He disputed the company’s characterisation of their offer, which he said would have resulted in “mass casualisation” through engagement of 50 casuals in roles that should be full-time, and warned that the union “won’t trade off pay for job insecurity”.
Garrett also laid into Scott Morrison, who he said had been “wrong all week” because there were not 40 ships off Port Botany waiting to unload, and the company could not identify any ships with medicines waiting to be unloaded.Garrett also laid into Scott Morrison, who he said had been “wrong all week” because there were not 40 ships off Port Botany waiting to unload, and the company could not identify any ships with medicines waiting to be unloaded.
Garrett said:Garrett said:
The Maritime Union of Australia has put out its statement – the conclusion is the same, but the theme and tone is (understandably) very different:The Maritime Union of Australia has put out its statement – the conclusion is the same, but the theme and tone is (understandably) very different:
A marathon two-day conciliation hearing before the Fair Work Commission has failed to resolve the current waterfront dispute after container terminal operator Patrick rejected the Maritime Union of Australia’s formal peace offer.A marathon two-day conciliation hearing before the Fair Work Commission has failed to resolve the current waterfront dispute after container terminal operator Patrick rejected the Maritime Union of Australia’s formal peace offer.
In an updated offer to the company this morning, the union offered to extend the rollover period of the existing workplace agreement to two years — provided an extended period of industrial certainty — along with industry-standard 2.5% a year pay rises.In an updated offer to the company this morning, the union offered to extend the rollover period of the existing workplace agreement to two years — provided an extended period of industrial certainty — along with industry-standard 2.5% a year pay rises.
The deal collapsed after the company insisted workers choose between substantially lower pay rises or changes to the existing agreement that would allow the massive casualisation of the workforce, stripping away job security in the midst of the Covid crisis.The deal collapsed after the company insisted workers choose between substantially lower pay rises or changes to the existing agreement that would allow the massive casualisation of the workforce, stripping away job security in the midst of the Covid crisis.
Patrick said it would only accept the union’s rollover proposal — which would have maintained the status quo in relation to workplace rights and conditions — if workers agreed to accept pay rises a full 1% a year below those being provided by other stevedores, including Patrick’s co-owner Qube Logistics.Patrick said it would only accept the union’s rollover proposal — which would have maintained the status quo in relation to workplace rights and conditions — if workers agreed to accept pay rises a full 1% a year below those being provided by other stevedores, including Patrick’s co-owner Qube Logistics.
The FWC hearing into Patrick’s attempt to stop workers from exercising their legal right to undertake protected industrial action has been adjourned, and will take place over two days from October 26.The FWC hearing into Patrick’s attempt to stop workers from exercising their legal right to undertake protected industrial action has been adjourned, and will take place over two days from October 26.
The union will this afternoon write to the company voluntarily withdrawing all planned industrial action ahead of that hearing.The union will this afternoon write to the company voluntarily withdrawing all planned industrial action ahead of that hearing.
MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said he was dismayed by the company’s rejection of a reasonable and fair peace deal that would have brought this dispute to an immediate end in the public interest.MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said he was dismayed by the company’s rejection of a reasonable and fair peace deal that would have brought this dispute to an immediate end in the public interest.
Crumlin said:Crumlin said:
Crumlin said the union would be vigorously defending the company’s baseless application.Crumlin said the union would be vigorously defending the company’s baseless application.
The ‘go slow’ order that had been delaying ships from docking (which had impacted about 40 cargo ships, although the majority were not in Australian waters) has also been suspended until the next fair work commission hearing on 26/27 October. The overtime ban has been lifted for now. The “go slow” order that had been delaying ships from docking (which had impacted about 40 cargo ships, although the majority were not in Australian waters) has also been suspended until the next Fair Work Commission hearing on 26/27 October. The overtime ban has been lifted for now.
Just back on that statement from Patrick’s - it notes that the MUA has rejected the 1.5% offer (they are chasing 2.5% at this point - the 6% figure you have heard was an early starting point, put forward before the pandemic hit) which means the fight isn’t over - it is just delayed. Just back on that statement from Patrick’s, it notes that the MUA has rejected the 1.5% offer (they are chasing 2.5% at this point – the 6% figure you have heard was an early starting point, put forward before the pandemic hit), which means the fight isn’t over, it is just delayed.
In today’s episode of Full Story I talk to Michael McGowan about Australia’s strange and complex world of online conspiracy theories.In today’s episode of Full Story I talk to Michael McGowan about Australia’s strange and complex world of online conspiracy theories.
We have also spoken to Nationals MP Anne Webster, who successfully sued Karen Brewer for defamation after she spread a vicious lie that Webster was a member of a secret pedophile network and had been parachuted into parliament to protect a past generation of paedophiles.We have also spoken to Nationals MP Anne Webster, who successfully sued Karen Brewer for defamation after she spread a vicious lie that Webster was a member of a secret pedophile network and had been parachuted into parliament to protect a past generation of paedophiles.
Webster was awarded $875,000 in damages and Brewer was ordered to take down the posts – but that’s not where the story ends.Webster was awarded $875,000 in damages and Brewer was ordered to take down the posts – but that’s not where the story ends.
Webster told Full Story that the technology companies had to be regulated:Webster told Full Story that the technology companies had to be regulated:
Webster added:Webster added:
Tune in here for the Full Story:Tune in here for the Full Story:
And if you don’t already, you should definitely subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.And if you don’t already, you should definitely subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Patrick Terminals has issued a statement after the Maritime Union of Australia announced it was backing down on its threat of strike action.Patrick Terminals has issued a statement after the Maritime Union of Australia announced it was backing down on its threat of strike action.
After a day and half of talks at the Fair Work Commission the MUA announced it would immediately end industrial action at Patrick terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle. After a day and half of talks at the Fair Work Commission, the MUA announced it would immediately end industrial action at Patrick terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle.
Patrick CEO Michael Jovicic said he was pleased they had called off the damaging actions around Australia. Patrick CEO Michael Jovicic said he was pleased the union had called off the damaging actions around Australia.
He said the union had inflicted unnecessary pain across the supply chain and had now walked away with nothing.He said the union had inflicted unnecessary pain across the supply chain and had now walked away with nothing.
During the talks the MUA today rejected a generous offer of 1.5% pay increases for each year of four years with no changes to their current conditions or rosters. During the talks, the MUA today rejected a generous offer of 1.5% pay increases for each year of four years with no changes to their current conditions or rosters.
In addition, Patrick offered to hire 50 new workers at Port Botany to help clear the backlog of containers and improve productivity. We also offered job guarantees with no forced redundancies for the life of the agreement.In addition, Patrick offered to hire 50 new workers at Port Botany to help clear the backlog of containers and improve productivity. We also offered job guarantees with no forced redundancies for the life of the agreement.
Jovicic said he was amazed the MUA had rejected the offer.Jovicic said he was amazed the MUA had rejected the offer.
Also, this morning we have been contacted by a freight forwarder seeking assistance to locate and move a container containing essential diabetes medication. They advise there is now a critical shortage of these drugs. The ship was delayed by three weeks due to the industrial action.Also, this morning we have been contacted by a freight forwarder seeking assistance to locate and move a container containing essential diabetes medication. They advise there is now a critical shortage of these drugs. The ship was delayed by three weeks due to the industrial action.
We have located the container and it will be discharged from Port Botany tonight.We have located the container and it will be discharged from Port Botany tonight.
WA premier Mark McGowan is holding firm on WA’s hard border:WA premier Mark McGowan is holding firm on WA’s hard border:
As AAP reports:As AAP reports:
Reopening the borders to South Australia and the Northern Territory would provide Western Australia with no economic benefit, premier Mark McGowan says.Reopening the borders to South Australia and the Northern Territory would provide Western Australia with no economic benefit, premier Mark McGowan says.
With other states and territories beginning to reopen their borders, WA remains isolated in its refusal to subscribe to a targeted Covid-19 “hotspots” regime.With other states and territories beginning to reopen their borders, WA remains isolated in its refusal to subscribe to a targeted Covid-19 “hotspots” regime.
WA’s borders have been closed to anyone except designated workers and people exempted on compassionate grounds for almost six months.WA’s borders have been closed to anyone except designated workers and people exempted on compassionate grounds for almost six months.
Like WA, SA and the NT have managed to stamp out community transmission and have had low coronavirus case numbers.Like WA, SA and the NT have managed to stamp out community transmission and have had low coronavirus case numbers.
But McGowan says there is no point in pursuing a travel bubble.But McGowan says there is no point in pursuing a travel bubble.
He said on Thursday:He said on Thursday:
The comments are likely to frustrate industry groups that have called on the McGowan government to provide certainty on the easing of border restrictions.The comments are likely to frustrate industry groups that have called on the McGowan government to provide certainty on the easing of border restrictions.
McGowan remains adamant the borders won’t come down until the eastern states go 28 days with no community spread.McGowan remains adamant the borders won’t come down until the eastern states go 28 days with no community spread.
He highlighted reports that passengers from the Ruby Princess cruise ship may have infected up to 11 people on a flight from Sydney to Perth.He highlighted reports that passengers from the Ruby Princess cruise ship may have infected up to 11 people on a flight from Sydney to Perth.
Victoria Health has put out its official data release:Victoria Health has put out its official data release:
Victoria has recorded 15 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, with the total number of cases now at 20,183.Victoria has recorded 15 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, with the total number of cases now at 20,183.
The overall total has increased by 14 due to one case being reclassified.The overall total has increased by 14 due to one case being reclassified.
Seven of today’s 15 new cases have been linked to known outbreaks or complex cases. Three are linked to aged care (Bupa Edithvale, TLC Noble Manor in Noble Park and Opal Hobsons Bay in Altona North) and four are linked to the Butcher Club at Chadstone Shopping Centre. The other eight cases remain under investigation.Seven of today’s 15 new cases have been linked to known outbreaks or complex cases. Three are linked to aged care (Bupa Edithvale, TLC Noble Manor in Noble Park and Opal Hobsons Bay in Altona North) and four are linked to the Butcher Club at Chadstone Shopping Centre. The other eight cases remain under investigation.
Of today’s 15 new cases, there are five cases in Casey, two cases in Greater Dandenong, Maribyrnong and Monash and single cases in Boroondara, Glen Eira, Wyndham and Yarra.Of today’s 15 new cases, there are five cases in Casey, two cases in Greater Dandenong, Maribyrnong and Monash and single cases in Boroondara, Glen Eira, Wyndham and Yarra.
There have been two new deaths from Covid-19 reported since yesterday: one woman aged in her 70s and one woman in her 90s. One death occurred prior to yesterday.There have been two new deaths from Covid-19 reported since yesterday: one woman aged in her 70s and one woman in her 90s. One death occurred prior to yesterday.
Both of today’s deaths are linked to known aged care facility outbreaks. To date, 800 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.Both of today’s deaths are linked to known aged care facility outbreaks. To date, 800 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.
The average number of cases diagnosed in the last 14 days for metropolitan Melbourne is 15.6 and regional Victoria is 0.3. 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 15.6 and regional Victoria is 0.3. 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 19 for metropolitan Melbourne and zero 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.The total number of cases from an unknown source in the last 14 days is 19 for metropolitan Melbourne and zero 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.
The Fair Work Commission will hand down its decision in the Patrick’s Terminals industrial relations dispute at 3pm.The Fair Work Commission will hand down its decision in the Patrick’s Terminals industrial relations dispute at 3pm.
For those wondering, Jacqui Lambie will announce tomorrow how she plans on voting on the refugee mobile phone bill.For those wondering, Jacqui Lambie will announce tomorrow how she plans on voting on the refugee mobile phone bill.
Lambie is the deciding vote.Lambie is the deciding vote.
The bill seeks to strip mobile phone access from refugees and asylum seekers who are detained in our detention centres. It’s often their only link to the outside world.The bill seeks to strip mobile phone access from refugees and asylum seekers who are detained in our detention centres. It’s often their only link to the outside world.
Don’t kid yourselves, though – the bill, if successful, won’t stop mobile phones being available. It will just means they will be smuggled in as contraband, forcing refugees and asylum seekers to pay insane, inflated prices to access something that provides them much needed contact outside of their locked-in world.Don’t kid yourselves, though – the bill, if successful, won’t stop mobile phones being available. It will just means they will be smuggled in as contraband, forcing refugees and asylum seekers to pay insane, inflated prices to access something that provides them much needed contact outside of their locked-in world.
Q: Is manufacturing the way out of the crisis?Q: Is manufacturing the way out of the crisis?
Anthony Albanese:Anthony Albanese:
Anthony Albanese has responded to Scott Morrison’s speech:Anthony Albanese has responded to Scott Morrison’s speech:
Helen Haines has some questions for Michael McCormack (I mean, we all do, mostly just ‘why?’) about a new regional fund that locks her electorate out – despite what it has been through since the bushfires.Helen Haines has some questions for Michael McCormack (I mean, we all do, mostly just ‘why?’) about a new regional fund that locks her electorate out – despite what it has been through since the bushfires.
Just a reminder, this announcement is estimated to create (conservatively) just 8,000 jobs a year; 80,000 is a 10-year-plan number.Just a reminder, this announcement is estimated to create (conservatively) just 8,000 jobs a year; 80,000 is a 10-year-plan number.
It’s 8,000 jobs (annually) across six sectors of the manufacturing industry.It’s 8,000 jobs (annually) across six sectors of the manufacturing industry.