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Coronavirus Australia live update: Gladys Berejiklian faces no-confidence motion as Victoria reports 12 new cases and NSW 13 Coronavirus Australia live update: Gladys Berejiklian faces no-confidence motion as Victoria reports 12 new cases and NSW 13
(32 minutes later)
Daniel Andrews says 10 ‘could be the new five’ as NSW announces seven new locally transmitted cases. Follow liveDaniel Andrews says 10 ‘could be the new five’ as NSW announces seven new locally transmitted cases. Follow live
We have now moved onto other matters, mostly tabling reports, and Gladys Berejiklian and opposition leader Jodi McKay appear to have left the chamber for now. The Health Department has provided this information to me today on how useful the Covidsafe contact tracing app has been:
NSW has successfully accessed the App to identify 68 close contacts, including 14 contacts that were not identified by manual contact tracing.
In one instance their access to COVID App data revealed a previously unrecognised exposure date from a known venue, Mounties. This resulted in the identification of an additional 544 contacts.Two people in this group presented for testing and were subsequently confirmed to have COVID-19.
Victoria has now fully integrated app usage into their contact tracing processes, and more than 1842 people with COVID 19 have agreed to transmit their app data to public health authorities. Due to the strict lock down in Melbourne, there are limited close contacts of positive cases to be identified but the data is being used to validate other information.
No reportable information is available to share with the other states due to low case numbers.
So essentially, NSW has had limited success in downloading data from the app, but has been able to find two people with Covid-19 it would not have otherwise found via checking with those 544 contacts at Mounties.
In Victoria there have been 1842 downloads but still no close contacts identified who were not already found through manual contact tracing.
Health has been able to collate this data now it has signed agreements with the states and territories to hand over this data.I again asked the department how many of the 7m downloads are still actively using the app but a department spokeswoman said she had “nothing more to add”.
The government has previously refused to disclose this data under freedom of information laws, on the grounds it would risk public safety. Active users numbers would give us an idea of how many people are still using it, and thus an indication of how effective the app might be in finding close contacts.
Hi there, Josh Taylor taking over the blog from my colleague Naaman Zhou.We are still keeping an eye on NSW parliament, and will update you if anything happens.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian is back speaking now, paying tribute to the memory of former premier John Fahey, who died a few weeks ago. Fahey’s family are in attendance.
And yet the parliament is currently discussing digital driving licences.
We have now moved on to other matters, mostly tabling reports, and Gladys Berejiklian and opposition leader Jodi McKay appear to have left the chamber for now.
The heat is taken out of the moment as we go to a question from the independent member for Wagga Wagga, who asks about health issues.The heat is taken out of the moment as we go to a question from the independent member for Wagga Wagga, who asks about health issues.
The vote on the no-confidence motion is still yet to be taken.The vote on the no-confidence motion is still yet to be taken.
McKay says:McKay says:
Berejiklian says: “If at any stage I knew that anything was going to happen that was wrong, or ... ”Berejiklian says: “If at any stage I knew that anything was going to happen that was wrong, or ... ”
She is interrupted by more scoffs, and the deputy Speaker says she will not continue without silence.She is interrupted by more scoffs, and the deputy Speaker says she will not continue without silence.
Chants of “woohoo!” go up on the Labor benches, referencing something Berejiklian said to Maguire over the phone when he told her about a business deal.Chants of “woohoo!” go up on the Labor benches, referencing something Berejiklian said to Maguire over the phone when he told her about a business deal.
McKay asks again: “You did not report it. Why?”McKay asks again: “You did not report it. Why?”
The deputy speaker says that McKay is on two calls for interrupting, and she will eject the leader of the opposition if she interrupts further.The deputy speaker says that McKay is on two calls for interrupting, and she will eject the leader of the opposition if she interrupts further.
Berejiklian is asked why it “took her eight days to take action” against Maguire after he was called to give evidene to Icac, in July 2018, when she was premier.Berejiklian is asked why it “took her eight days to take action” against Maguire after he was called to give evidene to Icac, in July 2018, when she was premier.
McKay says Berejiklian “concealed [his business dealings] for two years”.McKay says Berejiklian “concealed [his business dealings] for two years”.
Berejiklian says: “From memory I was away at the time and rung him and asked him for his resignation I think within an hour.”Berejiklian says: “From memory I was away at the time and rung him and asked him for his resignation I think within an hour.”
She says the eight days figure is wrong and “my best recollection is that he actually resigned that day and if you look up the records you will find that I asked for his resignation that day”.She says the eight days figure is wrong and “my best recollection is that he actually resigned that day and if you look up the records you will find that I asked for his resignation that day”.
McKay says again that Berejiklian is “delusional”.McKay says again that Berejiklian is “delusional”.
A fractious start to question time, with members from both sides interrupting each other.A fractious start to question time, with members from both sides interrupting each other.
Deputy speaker Leslie Williams is frequently calling for order as Berejiklian answers a question from McKay.Deputy speaker Leslie Williams is frequently calling for order as Berejiklian answers a question from McKay.
Berejiklian says: “It is in the public interest for the public to know their premier has at all times made sure that she or he has fulfilled their obligations in relation to all matters.”Berejiklian says: “It is in the public interest for the public to know their premier has at all times made sure that she or he has fulfilled their obligations in relation to all matters.”
McKay says: “You’re delusional, completely delusional.”McKay says: “You’re delusional, completely delusional.”
Berejiklian goes on to say that she “acted under the full letter of my responsibilities”, to laughs and scoffs from the Labor benches.Berejiklian goes on to say that she “acted under the full letter of my responsibilities”, to laughs and scoffs from the Labor benches.
Question time has just begun in the NSW parliament.Question time has just begun in the NSW parliament.
NSW opposition leader Jodi McKay has just told parliament she will move a no confidence motion against premier Gladys Berejiklian.NSW opposition leader Jodi McKay has just told parliament she will move a no confidence motion against premier Gladys Berejiklian.
She says this because Berejiklian “failed to report her knowledge of Daryl Maguire’s business dealings for six and a half years” and failed to report “a number of discussions she had over a number of years about his business dealings, including congratulating him on the amount of commission he was earning from his business deals.”She says this because Berejiklian “failed to report her knowledge of Daryl Maguire’s business dealings for six and a half years” and failed to report “a number of discussions she had over a number of years about his business dealings, including congratulating him on the amount of commission he was earning from his business deals.”
McKay also says Berejiklian “failed to fulfil her legal obligations under the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act to report corrupt conduct, and her obligations under the ministerial code of conduct to manage conflicts of interest in her government”.McKay also says Berejiklian “failed to fulfil her legal obligations under the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act to report corrupt conduct, and her obligations under the ministerial code of conduct to manage conflicts of interest in her government”.
The speaker says the motion will be voted on later, in accordance with the standing orders. The Speaker says the motion will be voted on later, in accordance with the standing orders.
And for an audio explainer of yesterday’s Icac revelations, listen to the Full Story podcast:And for an audio explainer of yesterday’s Icac revelations, listen to the Full Story podcast:
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.
“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.
“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.
“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 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.
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.
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.
“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”.
“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.”
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.
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.
Berejiklian is asked when she started her relationship with Maguire.
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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
“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.”