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Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria reports 12 new Covid cases and NSW 13 Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria reports 12 new Covid cases and NSW 13
(32 minutes later)
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says 10 ‘could be the new five’ as New South Wales announces seven new locally transmitted cases. Follow liveVictorian premier Daniel Andrews says 10 ‘could be the new five’ as New South Wales announces seven new locally transmitted cases. Follow live
Western Australia’s health minister is urging the commonwealth to assist after a second Covid-19 outbreak on a ship off the coast of Port Hedland, AAP report.
Seven of the 20 crew from the Vega Dream iron ore bulk carrier, which arrived from the Philippines, have now tested positive.
The vessel left the Port Hedland terminal on Sunday and is now anchored 22 nautical miles off the coast and under the Commonwealth’s jurisdiction.
It is the second time in a fortnight that a ship has arrived from Manila with Covid-positive crew. There was also an outbreak on the now-departed Patricia Oldendorff bulk carrier.
The WA health minister, Roger Cook, is urging the federal government to ensure Filipino authorities strengthen their maritime crew arrangements.
“These poor crew are having to join these vessels under very arduous circumstances and conditions anyway,” Cook said on Tuesday.
“The fact that they are put on the vessel in a manner that potentially gives them the coronavirus is really of great concern and the commonwealth should be reaching out to the Filipino government to say ‘get your house in order’.”
One man who was removed from the ship on Saturday was taken to Hedland Hospital’s isolation ward after becoming symptomatic will be transferred on Tuesday by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to a quarantine hotel in Perth.
Cook said it was up to the commonwealth to determine the next steps.
“We’re not trying to wash our hands off this, we’re simply saying it’s beyond our legal jurisdiction,” he said.
The transport minister, Andrew Constance, is on the ABC now, and says he supports Berejiklian as premier.The transport minister, Andrew Constance, is on the ABC now, and says he supports Berejiklian as premier.
“She is awesome, and she is a great leader,” he says.“She is awesome, and she is a great leader,” he says.
Constance, one of the more senior members of the NSW Liberals, said he did not know about the premier’s relationship with Daryl Maguire.Constance, one of the more senior members of the NSW Liberals, said he did not know about the premier’s relationship with Daryl Maguire.
“It’s not a matter of what I knew or what my views are on this, all your views,” he says. “ This is profoundly private, a matter for her in terms of her personal relationships, she has done nothing wrong, she will not resign, and ultimately, she will continue to do the great job that we have seen from her over many years now.” “It’s not a matter of what I knew or what my views are on this, all your views,” he says. “This is profoundly private, a matter for her in terms of her personal relationships. She has done nothing wrong, she will not resign, and ultimately, she will continue to do the great job that we have seen from her over many years now.”
He is asked whether he is nervous about Maguire himself fronting the commission tomorrow, and what evidence he may give.He is asked whether he is nervous about Maguire himself fronting the commission tomorrow, and what evidence he may give.
“I would ask everyone to remember that this is an inquiry of him. The premier has done nothing wrong. It’s an inquiry into him”. “I would ask everyone to remember that this is an inquiry of him. The premier has done nothing wrong. It’s an inquiry into him.”
The easing of restrictions in NSW for outdoor music have been welcomed by Stephen O’Doherty, from the Roundtable of Vocal, Instrumental and Music Education Organisations.The easing of restrictions in NSW for outdoor music have been welcomed by Stephen O’Doherty, from the Roundtable of Vocal, Instrumental and Music Education Organisations.
“The checklist provided by NSW Health will be of great assistance to groups in planning outdoor performances and rehearsals,” he said. “It is a helpful and sensible way to phase in the return of group music.”“The checklist provided by NSW Health will be of great assistance to groups in planning outdoor performances and rehearsals,” he said. “It is a helpful and sensible way to phase in the return of group music.”
Home affairs minister Peter Dutton says he is “absolutely confident” he has not broken any donations laws.Home affairs minister Peter Dutton says he is “absolutely confident” he has not broken any donations laws.
The Queensland opposition leader, Deb Frecklington, is facing questions today over a dinner where she and Dutton were guests, that was attended by property developers. It is illegal to obtain donations from property developers in Queensland, but Frecklington said none of the property developers present actually made donations.The Queensland opposition leader, Deb Frecklington, is facing questions today over a dinner where she and Dutton were guests, that was attended by property developers. It is illegal to obtain donations from property developers in Queensland, but Frecklington said none of the property developers present actually made donations.
And that ends the Morrison and Dutton press conference.And that ends the Morrison and Dutton press conference.
Morrison addresses reports that China has told its factories to stop importing Australian coal.Morrison addresses reports that China has told its factories to stop importing Australian coal.
He says people should not get ahead of themselves, and it is unclear whether that is due to domestic quotas rather than an import ban.He says people should not get ahead of themselves, and it is unclear whether that is due to domestic quotas rather than an import ban.
“At the moment this is speculation and the trade minister is running that down,” he says.“At the moment this is speculation and the trade minister is running that down,” he says.
Scott Morrison says that Gladys Berejiklian has his “absolute support”.Scott Morrison says that Gladys Berejiklian has his “absolute support”.
“Gladys is a tremendous premier and has my absolute support, and I thought she showed a lot of courage yesterday, but I also thought she showed a lot of humility,” he says. “We are all human, and particularly in those areas of our lives, and Gladys is an extremely private person ... that would have been really tough, to have that all out there in front of everybody yesterday.“Gladys is a tremendous premier and has my absolute support, and I thought she showed a lot of courage yesterday, but I also thought she showed a lot of humility,” he says. “We are all human, and particularly in those areas of our lives, and Gladys is an extremely private person ... that would have been really tough, to have that all out there in front of everybody yesterday.
“I would like to thank [NSW treasurer] Dom Perottet and [health minister] Brad Hazzard and the whole the whole team down there in the New South Wales government getting in behind her, and certainly they were the messages sent yesterday.”“I would like to thank [NSW treasurer] Dom Perottet and [health minister] Brad Hazzard and the whole the whole team down there in the New South Wales government getting in behind her, and certainly they were the messages sent yesterday.”
Prime minister Scott Morrison is also speaking now, from Brendale in Queensland.Prime minister Scott Morrison is also speaking now, from Brendale in Queensland.
In Sydney, the Berejiklian press conference has just wrapped up, with some parting questions on the racing season.In Sydney, the Berejiklian press conference has just wrapped up, with some parting questions on the racing season.
The Gladys Berejiklian press conference is still continuing, even though the ABC has cut away from it.The Gladys Berejiklian press conference is still continuing, even though the ABC has cut away from it.
Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant is speaking now, providing more information on the new Covid-19 cases.Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant is speaking now, providing more information on the new Covid-19 cases.
Berejiklian is asked when she started her relationship with Maguire.Berejiklian is asked when she started her relationship with Maguire.
A back and forth between Berejiklian and the reporters about any improper conduct.A back and forth between Berejiklian and the reporters about any improper conduct.
Berejiklian says: “I was absolutely not aware, which is why I didn’t report anything.”Berejiklian says: “I was absolutely not aware, which is why I didn’t report anything.”
Reporter: “Premier, he told you on the call.”Reporter: “Premier, he told you on the call.”
Berejiklian: “The matters before the Icac involving Mr Maguire are subject to those investigations. I stress again I did nothing wrong. If I had, I would be the first to put my hand up.Berejiklian: “The matters before the Icac involving Mr Maguire are subject to those investigations. I stress again I did nothing wrong. If I had, I would be the first to put my hand up.
“Mr Maguire approached a number of people in government, a number of public servants. He was rigorous in his attempts and his attempts amounted to nothing. His attempts amounted to nothing.“Mr Maguire approached a number of people in government, a number of public servants. He was rigorous in his attempts and his attempts amounted to nothing. His attempts amounted to nothing.
“This person had been in parliament for 15 years. And unfortunately sometimes people are able to get away with things without a lot of people realising.”“This person had been in parliament for 15 years. And unfortunately sometimes people are able to get away with things without a lot of people realising.”
Berejiklian is also asked whether it is acceptable for an MP to do business deals with developers, even if they are not found to be corrupt by Icac.Berejiklian is also asked whether it is acceptable for an MP to do business deals with developers, even if they are not found to be corrupt by Icac.
She says that she does not set the rules around what MPs can and can’t do.She says that she does not set the rules around what MPs can and can’t do.
“There are various rules and obligations and business interests which are outlined in the code, that parliamentary secretaries and members of parliament are able to engage in. Those activities are not determined by me. They’re determined by various bodies.“There are various rules and obligations and business interests which are outlined in the code, that parliamentary secretaries and members of parliament are able to engage in. Those activities are not determined by me. They’re determined by various bodies.
“If people want to put to me in a further restriction of what business activities and what business interests members should have, that is something the government is happy to consider.”“If people want to put to me in a further restriction of what business activities and what business interests members should have, that is something the government is happy to consider.”
Gladys Berejiklian is now being asked about her relationship with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire, who is being investigated by Icac, and whether she knew of any wrongdoing.
She is asked why it did not “ring alarm bells” when Maguire spoke to her about his potential business deals.
She says that “at all times” there was a distinction between her personal life and her public office.
“I have always acted in the best interests of the people of this state, I’ve not done anything wrong,” she says. “I will not tolerate, I never have and never will, any improper conduct.
“Had I known any wrongdoing was done at any stage I would have not have hesitated to act and I have acted very swiftly when I needed to.”
Dr Kerry Chant says two pop-up testing clinics have been set up. One at Lakemba and one at Oran Park.
“The Oran Park testing is established today at 1pm until 6.30pm and depending on demand the operational hours can be amended.”
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian is speaking now.
She announces that from Friday, outdoor venues will be allowed to have the two square metre rule – rather than four square metres – outside.
She also says musical performances can have 500 people as long as they are seated, it is outside and complies with the four square metre rule.
But businesses who want to adopt the relaxed restrictions will need to use a QR code sign-in system.
Youthlaw, Victoria’s free legal service for young people, has criticised new laws expected to be passed this week that it says expand police powers “under the cover of Covid”.
The Victorian government last week amended its omnibus bill – which expanded police powers – after concerns were raised about overreach.
But Youthlaw’s chief executive, Ariel Couchman, says that there is a “second-tier police force bill” that will pass unnoticed.
The bill will expand the reach of armed protective services officers (PSOs).
“In the same week as the amended omnibus b ill we will see a bill enter the Senate which will permit armed PSOs, with just 12 weeks of training, to operate in any public space – including shopping centres, roadways, public entertainment venues and sports grounds – with powers to detain, arrest and search,” she said.
“This bill represents a significant blurring of the roles outside of the original parameters of the PSO program which saw them only deployed in and around the transport network. We can now expect to see more and more PSOS carrying out the work of the Victorian police force.
“Under cover of Covid, the state government is effectively building a second-tier police force, with a fraction of the training and no independent accountability.”
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian will address the media at 12.30pm – along with treasurer Dominic Perrottet, health minister Brad Hazzard and the chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant.
Annastacia Palaszczuk is speaking now, addressing reports that her opponent in the upcoming state election, Deb Frecklington, was referred to the electoral commission by her own party over potentially illegal donations.
Frecklington has denied the report, published by the ABC, saying that she has not been referred to the electoral commission, and did nothing wrong.
“Let me say very clearly that there is a ban on property developer donations going to political parties,” Palaszczuk says. “That was a ban that my government proudly introduced. It is a very serious offence for people to be engaging with property developers in getting donations from them when it is against the law to do so.”’
Frecklington said that she may have attended dinners where developers were present, but they did not donate.
Palaszczuk says that she has not attended any fundraisers where property developers have been present.
“Not to my knowledge because the party does very, very detailed investigations about people who are attending those events.”
The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, is about to speak as well.
The treasurer, Cameron Dick, starts the press conference, and says that Deb Frecklington should resign, because her own party is leaking against her.
“One thing is sure and certain about Queensland politics, if you can’t lead your party, you can’t lead Queensland,” he says. “If you can’t govern your party, you can’t govern Queensland.
“These are not the Labor party’s words. These are leaks and destabilisation that’s coming from the LNP, targeting their own leader.”
Deb Frecklington, the Queensland opposition leader, is speaking now about reports that she has been referred to the state’s electoral commission.
Frecklington denies any wrongdoing and says “as far as I’m aware”, the electoral commission is not investigating.
The ABC reported today that she had been referred over a series of dinners with property developers. Donations from property developers have been illegal in the state since 2018
“Let’s make it really clear, I stand by my integrity,” she says.
“In relation to any fundraising dinners, anyone who donates fills in a declaration and it is on the EQQ website. In relation to private dinners, I attend dinners all the time. I’m a politician and I attend supporters’ dinners. Of course I do.”
She says it is legal for prohibited donors to attend fundraisers as long as they do not donate.
“On the ECQ website, anyone can attend a fundraiser but a prohibited donor cannot donate,” she says. “It’s on the ECQ website that prohibited donors can attend fundraising events, they just cannot donate”.
A reporter asks her: “Your party warned you not to go to a dinner and did you still go?”
Frecklington responds: “That’s not a correct assertion.”
He says that vote of no confidence against him today, planned by the Victorian opposition, is “cheap politics”.
“Cheap politics does not work against this virus,” he says. “Cheap politics does not work against this wildly infectious virus. If it did, then those who are completely irrelevant would have a much greater part to play.”
Andrews responds to questions about whether he will resign.
He is asked:
Andrews says:
He says that people should wait for the report of the hotel quarantine inquiry.