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Australia coronavirus news: alert over fresh NSW cases as Victoria records 11 and Labor prepares budget reply – live updates Australia coronavirus news: alert over fresh NSW cases as Victoria records 11 and Labor prepares budget reply – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Victoria reports no new deaths as NSW Health warns of several new Sydney locations linked to Covid-19. Follow all today’s newsVictoria reports no new deaths as NSW Health warns of several new Sydney locations linked to Covid-19. Follow all today’s news
Meanwhile, NSW’s environment minister, Matt Kean, is hitting out at “vested interests” who have influenced the energy and climate debate for “too long”.
“It’s definitely time to correct the imbalance,” he said.
Kean, remember, is a Liberal minister.
Anthony Albanese is about to address caucus in Canberra ahead of his budget reply speech tonight.
We’ll bring that to you as soon as we can. He’s due to speak at 10am.
The prime minister is due to speak 15 minutes later.
He had earlier pulled out of an interview with Perth radio, 6PR, which his office had organised.
South Australian border restrictions are due to be relaxed today. Travellers from NSW can drive to South Australia, via Mildura, as long as they are only going through Victoria in transit. Residents of border towns just across from Mildura will be allowed to enter South Australia.
But border communities say the current situation has left locals confused and frustrated. Those living north of the Victorian border are still required to go through 14 day quarantine before entering South Australia, should they go to Mildura for their essentials.
Wentworth shire council mayor Melissa Hederics spoke to the ABC a little earlier.
The government’s higher education funding bill is due to be voted on in the Senate today. It is likely to pass with the support of Centre Alliance, despite concerns about the increase to fees for some courses, including humanities, to fund fee cuts for other courses such as sciences. The overall cut in the government contribution from 58% to 52%.
Rex Patrick, formerly of Centre Alliance, is still pressuring his former colleagues in the hope they will switch their position.
Jacqui Lambie is also not giving up the fight.
Labor has accused the government of cutting funding to the auditor-general in the wake of a series of politically-embarrassing audit reports, including on the Leppington triangle land purchase and the sports rorts scandal.Labor has accused the government of cutting funding to the auditor-general in the wake of a series of politically-embarrassing audit reports, including on the Leppington triangle land purchase and the sports rorts scandal.
Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and deputy chair of the public accounts and audit committee, Julian Hill, say the ANAO’s budget has been cut by a further $1.28m.Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and deputy chair of the public accounts and audit committee, Julian Hill, say the ANAO’s budget has been cut by a further $1.28m.
My colleague Paul Karp has reported on this in more detail here:
The Coalition’s position on funding for women seems pretty clear. The budget’s helping business and women are business owners. It creates jobs, and women can work. You get the drift.The Coalition’s position on funding for women seems pretty clear. The budget’s helping business and women are business owners. It creates jobs, and women can work. You get the drift.
Industry minister Karen Andrews was on Sunrise a little earlier. This is how she explained it:Industry minister Karen Andrews was on Sunrise a little earlier. This is how she explained it:
Just a quick recap on the developments this morning:Just a quick recap on the developments this morning:
the emergence of three mystery Covid-19 cases in NSW has threatened the reopening of the Queensland-NSW border. Queensland says it wants to see no community transmission in NSW for 28 days, before it will open the border. It also wants NSW to find the sources of the three cases within 48 hours. NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and prime minister Scott Morrison have both attacked the Queensland government for its tough stance. Berejiklian said the rule was “not fair” and Morrison questioned whether Palaszczuk is “for jobs or not?”the emergence of three mystery Covid-19 cases in NSW has threatened the reopening of the Queensland-NSW border. Queensland says it wants to see no community transmission in NSW for 28 days, before it will open the border. It also wants NSW to find the sources of the three cases within 48 hours. NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and prime minister Scott Morrison have both attacked the Queensland government for its tough stance. Berejiklian said the rule was “not fair” and Morrison questioned whether Palaszczuk is “for jobs or not?”
Victoria has announced 11 new cases and no deaths. That has brought the 14-day rolling average down for metro Melbourne, aiding hopes that restrictions could be lifted.Victoria has announced 11 new cases and no deaths. That has brought the 14-day rolling average down for metro Melbourne, aiding hopes that restrictions could be lifted.
Labor is preparing for its budget reply speech. It has slammed the government’s failure to fund specific measures for women. The shadow treasurer,Jim Chalmers, says the government is one “trillion dollars in debt and still managed to leave Australian women behind”. Chalmers spoke favourably of social housing as a means of economic stimulus and talked of the importance of childcare, so expect those to feature prominently in Anthony Albanese’s reply.Labor is preparing for its budget reply speech. It has slammed the government’s failure to fund specific measures for women. The shadow treasurer,Jim Chalmers, says the government is one “trillion dollars in debt and still managed to leave Australian women behind”. Chalmers spoke favourably of social housing as a means of economic stimulus and talked of the importance of childcare, so expect those to feature prominently in Anthony Albanese’s reply.
The families minister, Anne Ruston, defended the budget’s treatment of women by saying they could drive on the roads that the Coalition would build through its infrastructure spend.The families minister, Anne Ruston, defended the budget’s treatment of women by saying they could drive on the roads that the Coalition would build through its infrastructure spend.
Scott Morrison has defended the introduction of an English language test for those wanting to bring their non-English speaking partners to Australia on a partner visa. He said the test is “pro-Australia” and “pro-migrant”.Scott Morrison has defended the introduction of an English language test for those wanting to bring their non-English speaking partners to Australia on a partner visa. He said the test is “pro-Australia” and “pro-migrant”.
The Australian Financial Review is reporting that Scott Morrison will seek to have his outgoing finance minister Mathias Cormann nominated as the next secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.The Australian Financial Review is reporting that Scott Morrison will seek to have his outgoing finance minister Mathias Cormann nominated as the next secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The AFR reports Morrison will announce the nomination later today. The role is based in Paris and has a tenure of five years.The AFR reports Morrison will announce the nomination later today. The role is based in Paris and has a tenure of five years.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT!A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT!
Andrew Leigh, the shadow assistant minister for Treasury, spoke to Canberra radio this morning.Andrew Leigh, the shadow assistant minister for Treasury, spoke to Canberra radio this morning.
He described the Australian recession as a “human capital recession”.He described the Australian recession as a “human capital recession”.
Leigh said that, in that context, the government’s higher education funding changes made no sense.Leigh said that, in that context, the government’s higher education funding changes made no sense.
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers has also been out and about this morning, continuing the attack on the government for the absence of funding for women.Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers has also been out and about this morning, continuing the attack on the government for the absence of funding for women.
He said the budget racked up a “trillion dollars in debt and still managed to leave Australian women behind”.He said the budget racked up a “trillion dollars in debt and still managed to leave Australian women behind”.
Asked about Labor’s budget reply, Chalmers says the opposition’s intention is to make the economy “stronger and more inclusive” and kick-start the recovery.Asked about Labor’s budget reply, Chalmers says the opposition’s intention is to make the economy “stronger and more inclusive” and kick-start the recovery.
He says Labor will have more to say about childcare in coming weeks and months.He says Labor will have more to say about childcare in coming weeks and months.
Chalmers also flagged social housing as a strong way to stimulate economic activity and help lower income Australians.Chalmers also flagged social housing as a strong way to stimulate economic activity and help lower income Australians.
The government has mounted a rather interesting defence of the lack of specific budget measures for women.The government has mounted a rather interesting defence of the lack of specific budget measures for women.
Anne Ruston, families minister, was on ABC television a little earlier this morning.Anne Ruston, families minister, was on ABC television a little earlier this morning.
She says women can drive on the new roads the Coalition is going to build, so everyone should just calm down.She says women can drive on the new roads the Coalition is going to build, so everyone should just calm down.
Good stuff.Good stuff.
She says there are specific measures for women, including the Women’s Economic Security Statement, which put $240m toward initiatives for women.She says there are specific measures for women, including the Women’s Economic Security Statement, which put $240m toward initiatives for women.
The Queensland Resources Council chief executive, Ian Macfarlane, has just spoken to ABC radio about the mining lobby’s campaign against the Greens in the Queensland state election.The Queensland Resources Council chief executive, Ian Macfarlane, has just spoken to ABC radio about the mining lobby’s campaign against the Greens in the Queensland state election.
That decision caused an internal rift this week. BHP and Origin both suspended their membership of the Queensland Resources Council over the strategy.That decision caused an internal rift this week. BHP and Origin both suspended their membership of the Queensland Resources Council over the strategy.
Macfarlane said the mining industry’s campaign was “modest” but defended the decision to target the Greens, saying they could not be allowed to achieve a balance-of-power position.Macfarlane said the mining industry’s campaign was “modest” but defended the decision to target the Greens, saying they could not be allowed to achieve a balance-of-power position.
He said the campaign was supported by the QRC board. He refuses to say how much was being spent on the campaign, but said it was a small amount and thanked journalists for the “national coverage”, which was spreading the message across the country for free.He said the campaign was supported by the QRC board. He refuses to say how much was being spent on the campaign, but said it was a small amount and thanked journalists for the “national coverage”, which was spreading the message across the country for free.
He said the campaign would focus on four seats to ensure “the Greens are not in a position of power after the election”.He said the campaign would focus on four seats to ensure “the Greens are not in a position of power after the election”.
Victoria has recorded 11 new cases and no deaths. Authorities say the 14-day rolling average is down in metro Melbourne.
Just on that Queensland-NSW border issue: Queensland has said it will not reopen the border without 28 days free of community transmission.
The emergence of three mystery cases, including an infected person who attended a Mazda dealership and waterfront restaurant, have thrown the planned reopening into doubt.
The NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, speaking a little earlier this morning, described that rule as “not fair” and “not anything official I’ve ever heard before”.
Berejiklian accused the Queensland government of “thinking up every excuse you can as it goes along”.
“I don’t think that’s acceptable,” she said.
Labor is sharpening its attack on the budget’s lack of measures for women. Kristina Keneally spoke out the front of parliament this morning, saying:
Morrison says there’s nothing unusual in assuming a vaccine will be widely available next year. That assumption helped underpin the rosy growth forecasts baked into Tuesday’s budget.
Morrison said many of the spending measures – infrastructure spending, for example – depended on the emergence of a vaccine.
Morrison is doing the rounds this morning. He’s said “jobs” about a billion times, by my count.
He’s now on Adelaide radio 5AA, spruiking all the wonderful things the federal government has done for South Australia. Lots of infrastructure funding, lots of defence spending,
It’s all fairly parochial. How does Morrison rate SA’s premier, compared to other leaders?
Marshall is a Liberal leader, for those playing at home.
Morrison has attacked Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, somewhat prematurely, after reports that the emergence of three mystery cases in NSW could compromise the reopening of the Queensland-NSW border.
Morrison is asked by 2GB’s Ben Fordham what he’d say to Palaszczuk:
He goes on to criticise the WA premier, Mark McGowan, on his border stance, warning against “protectionism”.
Morrison, weirdly, is then asked about a girl in a bikini who made it to the front page of a Sydney newspaper for some reason. I won’t bother telling you much more about that.
Scott Morrison has just defended the introduction of an English language test, to be applied to anyone trying to bring their partner to Australia to marry.
The test would apply to non-English speaking foreigners bringing their partners into the country to be married if they do not speak English, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The test would apply to both the sponsored person and the sponsor.
Morrison tells 2GB the test is “pro-migrant” and “pro-Australia”.
Morrison said people can still come to Australia on a provisional visa.
Prime minister Scott Morrison is about to speak with 2GB radio.
His budget is continuing to face criticism this morning. This morning’s headlines include:
Indigenous groups and Labor have criticised the Coalition for allocating more than $39m of extra funding to a non-Indigenous sport-based initiative for boys, but failing to adequately fund Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to meet the new Closing the Gap targets in its budget.
The Morrison government has earmarked $6.7bn in new infrastructure funding for the states and territories but just one-tenth of it will be delivered this financial year, budget papers show. The figures have fuelled fresh concerns about whether the government is getting additional stimulus out the door quickly enough, while the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has signalled he will push for more funding for projects in his state.
The government’s funding of 23,000 home care packages won’t “touch the sides” of the aged care capacity crisis, experts and workers have told the ABC.
The Coalition is facing criticism for introducing a test in the budget that would introduce an English language test for those wanting to bring their partners to Australia on a partner visa. The test would apply to the person being sponsored for a visa to move to Australia to marry their partner and their sponsor if they are non-English speaking permanent residents.
NSW Health says diners who visited the Sydney Harbour waterfront Ripples restaurant on Saturday night must immediately get tested for Covid-19.
AAP reports:
Good morning, dear readers.
It’s Christopher Knaus here taking you through all the morning’s Covid-19 and post-budget news.
It’s set to be a busy day. New health alerts have been issued in NSW after three infections were detected at a waterfront restaurant and Mazda dealership.
Labor is preparing for its budget reply speech this evening, while the federal government faces new criticism this morning the slowness and scale of its infrastructure spend, its lack of investment in Indigenous communities, and its meagre aged care offering.
Don’t go anywhere.