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Victoria reports three new Covid cases and NSW 10 as federal parliament resumes – politics live NSW eases Covid restrictions on churches and gyms as state reports 10 new cases and Victoria three – politics live
(32 minutes later)
New South Wales coronavirus testing rates increase as Daniel Andrews says Victoria may have recorded its first case of re-infection. Follow the latestNew South Wales coronavirus testing rates increase as Daniel Andrews says Victoria may have recorded its first case of re-infection. Follow the latest
Over in the finance committee, the estimates hearing has begun for the afternoon session - the number one topic - the Leppington triangle sale
We are on the downhill slide to question time.
Huzzah
With just another two locally acquired cases, NSW has eased some more restrictions.
From October 23
Religious gatherings/places of worship (EXCLUDING weddings and funerals) can have up to 300 people - as long as they have a covid safe plan
Gyms will only need a covid safety marshal if there are more than 20 people in the gym at one time
Brad Hazzard, the health minister, was also annoyed that Hillsong founder Brian Houston went to the media to complain about restrictions on church functions, saying discussions were going on with religious leaders - but nothing from Houston came into his office.
“I have heard in the media, on 2GB, that some churches felt that they weren’t being listened to. I assure you, you were and I’m sorry if you didn’t think you were,” he told a press conference.
“But unfortunately I heard those messages through the media, I didn’t hear them to my office.
“Where we have had messages come to us, we have tried to to respond through exemption processes.
“For example, we have already granted exemptions to St Mary’s Cathedral, St Andrew’s Cathedral, the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, the Central Synagogue.”
Hazzard said it would be up to the health officers to determine if Hillsong could hold more people at its church.
Rod Sims says he has no concerns about having business leaders, such as Nev Power, involved in the Covid commission.
This is the Coalition’s safest seat (against Labor) in the country
On the Google and Facebook media battle, Rod Sims says:On the Google and Facebook media battle, Rod Sims says:
Rod Sims tells the press club that since the privatisation of Australia’s ports, there has been “little to no regulation” of monopolies in that sector.Rod Sims tells the press club that since the privatisation of Australia’s ports, there has been “little to no regulation” of monopolies in that sector.
Same goes for airports.Same goes for airports.
He then moves on to the next battle – the media space:He then moves on to the next battle – the media space:
Meanwhile, in estimates ...Meanwhile, in estimates ...
I just learnt something: Rod Sims was one of Bob Hawke’s economic advisers when he was prime minister.I just learnt something: Rod Sims was one of Bob Hawke’s economic advisers when he was prime minister.
Helen Haines will introduce a bill on Monday for a national integrity commission.Helen Haines will introduce a bill on Monday for a national integrity commission.
Rod Sims:
ACCC chief Rod Sims is delivering today’s national press club address.
He says there is more which can be done in consumer laws – for instance, price gouging is not illegal under Australian law.
Again, it was reported in January that the draft was “all but finished” but had been delayed for public consultation, but I guess people are in a space to start paying attention again.
Mark Dreyfus on the estimates evidence that the draft legislation for the national integrity commission was given to the attorney general in December:
At Senate estimates, the Future Fund has confirmed reports that it pressed Rio Tinto to take stronger action after the company’s destruction of a 46,000-year-old sacred site at Juukan Gorge in May.
The Greens senator Nick McKim asked representatives of the Future Fund whether the chair, Peter Costello, and others confronted Rio Tinto over the destruction of heritage at Juukan Gorge. This stems from a report in the Australian on 10 September.
Dr Raphael Arndt, the Future Fund chief executive officer, told the Senate finance committee the fund regularly engaged with companies in which the fund had large holdings. He confirmed Arndt, Costello and several other Future Fund representatives attended a meeting with the Rio Tinto board at the board’s request.
Arndt said the Future Fund expressed the view that Rio Tinto needed to have better systems and processes in place.
So did the Future Fund push for the chief executive and others involved to resign? Arndt indicated the Future Fund pressed the board to take stronger action than it had originally planned:
On 11 September, after growing pressure from a range of investors, Rio Tinto announced its chief executive, Jean-Sébastien Jacques, and two other senior executives would leave the global miner.
For the latest on this story, see recent coverage by Lorena Allam:
This is becoming a monthly story.
Labor has struck another blow in exposing the Coalition’s excuse that it hasn’t created a national integrity commission because of Covid.
At Senate estimates, the attorney general’s department secretary, Chris Moraitis, said Christian Porter already has an exposure draft of legislation to create the body. The deputy secretary, Sarah Chidgey, chipped in that it was completed in December 2019.
Labor’s Murray Watt responded:
I expect Labor will go on the attack about this – the legislation was done before the Covid outbreak, and the department has pursued other legislation since the outbreak, such as cracking down on class actions.
And that is where I’ll leave the press conference – it is getting in to the nitty gritty of the outside dining permits. But I will keep an eye on it, in case anything else pops up.
Q: The intense focus on Dr Brett Sutton, is this a distraction from his job?
Daniel Andrews:
Q: Are you still confident that everyone in government is cooperating as they should be?
Andrews:
Q: Can you explain what is behind the continued restrictions on religious institutions?
Daniel Andrews:
Q: Four babies have died from South Australia in the last month. These children would have normally been transferred to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital for heart surgery. They couldn’t go there because of Covid restrictions. Could you explain what has happened?
Daniel Andrews: