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Coronavirus Australia live updates: 800 people forced to self-isolate after outbreak at Melbourne college Coronavirus Australia live updates: PM speaks on national cabinet as ASIC chair and deputy stand aside after annual report audit
(32 minutes later)
Today’s meeting between federal, state and territory leaders will focus on removing social and border restrictions to jumpstart the economy. Follow liveToday’s meeting between federal, state and territory leaders will focus on removing social and border restrictions to jumpstart the economy. Follow live
Morrison says there are around 2,800 vulnerable Australians still overseas, but 161 have now landed in Darwin for their two-week quarantine in the Howard Springs facility.
Chief medical officer Prof Paul Kelly says there are just over 200 active Covid-19 cases in Australia, only 19 in hospital and nobody in intensive care. He said 80% of the cases are overseas-acquired.
“We’re doing extraordinarily well, continuing to do testing whether it’s required and particularly in those geographic areas where cases have been found, or wastewater or sewage testing has shown that there may be cases,” he said.
Morrison says the recommendations out of the Peter Conran review of the Coag process been adopted by national cabinet and the report will be released later today.
Morrison says it “basically streamlines further” the commonwealth and states relations process.
He said the national federation reform council will meet in December in its new format, and will discuss women’s safety on top of the existing topics.
Caps on returning Australians will increase next month, Morrison announces. There will be an additional 140 next month in WA and another 150 in Queensland.
All jurisdictions have agreed to flexibility on caps on returned travellers to accommodate the most vulnerable.
He says the national cabinet is also looking at other quarantining measures, including quarantining on farms, for those coming for mining in camps, or on campus for international students.
Morrison announces a new reopening plan for the economy nationally.
He says the recommendations of the hotel quarantine review conducted by Jane Halton were agreed to by national cabinet and the report will be released later this afternoon.
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, is holding a press conference after today’s national cabinet meeting.
Morrison first pays tribute to former Labor minister for women Susan Ryan after her state funeral earlier today.
“A remarkable and wonderful Australian, and we thank her for her service.”
Qantas has suffered a $100m hit to its first quarter earnings after several states closed their borders in July in response to Victoria’s coronavirus outbreak, AAP reports.
Chief executive Alan Joyce said on Friday the states’ decisions had delayed Qantas’ recovery.
He had expected domestic services to be operating at 60% of pre-Covid levels.
Yet the border closures, which include Queensland and Western Australia, mean domestic services are operating below 30% of previous levels.
Joyce told shareholders at Qantas’ annual general meeting that if Queensland opened to NSW soon he expected domestic capacity to improve to up to 50%.
“We’re expecting to see a boom in domestic tourism once more borders open up,” he said.
The airline aims to save $600m this financial year to stay viable. It’s cut 6,000 workers, is likely to cut 2,000 ground handling crew and has stood down 18,000 staff.
All this ASIC drama happened while the chair, James Shipton, was appearing before a parliamentary committee.
Australian Securities and Investment Commission chair James Shipton has released a statement after treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s announcement that the auditor general found Shipton and his deputy, Dan Crennan had been paid over and above their remuneration tribunal defined limit.
The pair has agreed to pay the amount back, but Shipton said he will stand aside while an independent review is conducted:
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, will hold his post-national cabinet media conference at 1.30pm AEST.The prime minister, Scott Morrison, will hold his post-national cabinet media conference at 1.30pm AEST.
My colleague Ben Butler says Shipton was paid nearly $120,000 for tax advice, plus more than $75,000 in fringe benefits tax. Crennan was paid $750 a week to relocate to Melbourne, paid for two years.My colleague Ben Butler says Shipton was paid nearly $120,000 for tax advice, plus more than $75,000 in fringe benefits tax. Crennan was paid $750 a week to relocate to Melbourne, paid for two years.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said the Australian Securities and Investments Commission chair and deputy chair will repay payments they received for advice and for housing expenses that fell outside their remuneration limits.Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said the Australian Securities and Investments Commission chair and deputy chair will repay payments they received for advice and for housing expenses that fell outside their remuneration limits.
Frydenberg said the auditor general found payments made to chair, James Shipton, relating to taxation advice, and deputy chair, Dan Crennan QC, relating to housing expenses may exceed the limits set by the Remuneration Tribunal.Frydenberg said the auditor general found payments made to chair, James Shipton, relating to taxation advice, and deputy chair, Dan Crennan QC, relating to housing expenses may exceed the limits set by the Remuneration Tribunal.
The auditor general also found instances where the commonwealth procurement rules were not followed.The auditor general also found instances where the commonwealth procurement rules were not followed.
Shipton and Crennan have agreed to repay the amounts, and Asic will review remuneration and benefits paid to executives.Shipton and Crennan have agreed to repay the amounts, and Asic will review remuneration and benefits paid to executives.
Frydenberg said Treasury would also undertake an independent review, to be done by Dr Vivienne Thom, and expected to be completed with the full cooperation of Asic by the end of the year.Frydenberg said Treasury would also undertake an independent review, to be done by Dr Vivienne Thom, and expected to be completed with the full cooperation of Asic by the end of the year.
An interim report on a Voice for Indigenous Australians has been handed to the responsible minister after dozens of co-design meetings over more than a year, AAP reports.An interim report on a Voice for Indigenous Australians has been handed to the responsible minister after dozens of co-design meetings over more than a year, AAP reports.
Three working groups have met more than 70 times since talks began in October 2019.Three working groups have met more than 70 times since talks began in October 2019.
The 52 members have developed a range of contested models and options.The 52 members have developed a range of contested models and options.
The co-design and senior advisory groups have finalised their proposals and recommendations.The co-design and senior advisory groups have finalised their proposals and recommendations.
Ray Griggs, from the National Indigenous Australians Agency, said their interim report captured “robust deliberations” throughout the process.Ray Griggs, from the National Indigenous Australians Agency, said their interim report captured “robust deliberations” throughout the process.
The report was handed to Indigenous Australians minister Ken Wyatt on Friday.The report was handed to Indigenous Australians minister Ken Wyatt on Friday.
“This will mark the completion of the first stage of the process,” Griggs told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra.“This will mark the completion of the first stage of the process,” Griggs told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra.
Public consultations are expected to run until March and Griggs anticipates a final report will be published between June and August next year.Public consultations are expected to run until March and Griggs anticipates a final report will be published between June and August next year.
He said Wyatt wanted to push the process along quickly, but would not be drawn on whether potential legislation would be introduced by the end of next year.He said Wyatt wanted to push the process along quickly, but would not be drawn on whether potential legislation would be introduced by the end of next year.
“I don’t think I should speak to a legislative timetable but I know the minister is very keen to see this through,” Griggs told the committee.“I don’t think I should speak to a legislative timetable but I know the minister is very keen to see this through,” Griggs told the committee.
Some more news coming out of Senate estimates.Some more news coming out of Senate estimates.
The Victorian health and human services department has put this out about the sewage testing that showed some traces of Covid-19 in Ararat:The Victorian health and human services department has put this out about the sewage testing that showed some traces of Covid-19 in Ararat:
Foreign affairs minister Marise Payne has apologised to Australians stranded overseas who had their personal identities inadvertently revealed in a consular email, in what was the third data breach in as many months. Payne also said she had sought clarification from the secretary of Dfat, after Guardian Australia revealed the latest privacy breach which occurred on Wednesday when the Australian embassy in Paris sent an email to Australians stuck in France who had registered with the department their wish to return home.Foreign affairs minister Marise Payne has apologised to Australians stranded overseas who had their personal identities inadvertently revealed in a consular email, in what was the third data breach in as many months. Payne also said she had sought clarification from the secretary of Dfat, after Guardian Australia revealed the latest privacy breach which occurred on Wednesday when the Australian embassy in Paris sent an email to Australians stuck in France who had registered with the department their wish to return home.
All recipients were listed in the CC section of the email, and when Dfat unsuccessfully attempted to recall the email, it sent out a follow-up request asking recipients to delete it from their inbox.All recipients were listed in the CC section of the email, and when Dfat unsuccessfully attempted to recall the email, it sent out a follow-up request asking recipients to delete it from their inbox.
Asked about Guardian Australia’s report by the ABC’s Sabra Lane, Payne said: “It is not an ideal situation at all.”Asked about Guardian Australia’s report by the ABC’s Sabra Lane, Payne said: “It is not an ideal situation at all.”
AAP reports the Aboriginal Hostels company providing housing for Aboriginal people does not have any Indigenous senior staff.AAP reports the Aboriginal Hostels company providing housing for Aboriginal people does not have any Indigenous senior staff.
Chief executive Dave Chalmers has set a target of 66% Indigenous staffing levels by the end of next year, but under questioning from Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy, he conceded it would be difficult.Chief executive Dave Chalmers has set a target of 66% Indigenous staffing levels by the end of next year, but under questioning from Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy, he conceded it would be difficult.
“Frankly we have been in a steady decline from the high some decades ago of 80% Indigenous staffing,” he told Senate estimates in Canberra on Friday.“Frankly we have been in a steady decline from the high some decades ago of 80% Indigenous staffing,” he told Senate estimates in Canberra on Friday.
“It’s just been a gradual decline and I intend to arrest that.”“It’s just been a gradual decline and I intend to arrest that.”
Chalmers, who was appointed chief executive earlier this year, said he and the chairman were acutely aware the agency’s executive did not have Indigenous representation.Chalmers, who was appointed chief executive earlier this year, said he and the chairman were acutely aware the agency’s executive did not have Indigenous representation.
“That will be something that we can’t remedy in the short term because the recruiting has already taken place and we have people in place for a number of years,” he said.“That will be something that we can’t remedy in the short term because the recruiting has already taken place and we have people in place for a number of years,” he said.
“But I would be looking to ensure that we have opportunity for senior executives, as well as across the organisation, so we are better represented.”“But I would be looking to ensure that we have opportunity for senior executives, as well as across the organisation, so we are better represented.”
Aboriginal Hostels Limited was established in 1973 to provide accommodation for Indigenous people away from home to study, work or receive medical treatment.Aboriginal Hostels Limited was established in 1973 to provide accommodation for Indigenous people away from home to study, work or receive medical treatment.
It runs 47 hostels across the country and was allocated $40m in this year’s federal budget.It runs 47 hostels across the country and was allocated $40m in this year’s federal budget.
On the bonuses that aren’t blingy watches.
We will probably be in a bit of a news lull while national cabinet is meeting and the US presidential election debate is on in about 25 minutes.
You can follow the debate in our other live blog here.
Restrictions in New South Wales have also eased today with 30 people allowed to gather outdoors, group bookings at hospitality venues extended from 10 to 30 people, and up to 300 allowed at places of worship.
Staffing regulations at gyms have also been relaxed: a safety marshal is required only when more than 20 people are working out.
The consumer watchdog says it’s received more than 10,000 complaints regarding travel bookings during the pandemic, AAP reports.
In some cases, travel agents are providing partial refunds but withholding thousands of dollars which they say are needed to cover their costs.
A parliamentary economics committee on Friday heard there had been a six-fold increase in total complaints during the Covid period, many relating to travel services.
In relation to travel bookings, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is not taking its normal “enforcement” approach, but rather decided to work with travel agents and tour operators to ensure consumers either get a full refund or some of their money back.
ACCC commissioner Sarah Court said the main concern of the watchdog was misrepresentations made to consumers that they are not entitled to any refund.
She said it was not the ACCC’s position that all customers must get full refunds.
ACCC chair Rod Sims said post-pandemic there would be an opportunity for a broader look at the issue.
New South Wales has reported seven new cases of Covid-19, all in hotel quarantine. There were no local cases reported.
Australia’s Future Fund – a taxpayer-funded investment fund designed to grow the country’s wealth – invested $50m in the failed (and much-mocked) video streaming site Quibi.
The investment was revealed this morning by the Australian Financial Review and the Washington Post, following the news that Quibi will shut down after only six months.
Quibi attracted a string of negative reviews, and low subscriber numbers, with a model that only commissioned films and shows shorter than 10 minutes.One episode, directed by respected horror director Sam Raimi, was particularly mocked for its flat acting and strange concept, focusing on a woman who had a golden arm.
Quibi raised $2bn in funding in total and a Future Fund spokesman told the AFR that “As Quibi winds down we’ll be receiving capital back”.
The Future Fund has more than $4.3bn to invest in venture capital. “It’s in the nature of venture capital that some investments don’t work and some produce outsize returns,” a spokesman said.
Notes given to New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian regarding millions in disputed council funding were shredded, and their digital versions deleted, in what was “not routine practice”, a parliamentary inquiry has heard.
Two senior staffers to Berejiklian are testifying before the NSW parliament public accountability committee today about the Stronger Communities fund, where more than 95% of $252m in grant money was given to coalition seats, according to the NSW Greens.
The committee heard that Sarah Lau, a senior policy adviser to Berejiklian, sent two emails regarding the grants that said “The premier has approved” and “The premier has signed off further funding”.
But Lau said that this was just “a turn of phrase” and Berejiklian did not “approve” the funding.
Lau said she gave Berejiklian a “working advice note” about the funds, and the premier “indicated on that note that she was comfortable”. She said she could not recall what Berejiklian wrote, but it was likely that she just ticked the note, or circled it.
She said the notes were likely shredded.
She was asked by the chair of the committee, Greens MP David Shoebridge, whether digital versions existed.
Lau said the notes were created on Word and they are “no longer available”, and she believed she had deleted them “as part of her normal record keeping process”.
Shoebridge then asked Sarah Cruikshank, who was Berejiklian’s chief of staff at the time, if this was routine practice.
Cruikshank said: “No I would say it is not.”
We can bring you more details now of the letter the Chinese ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, sent to the conservative Liberal senator Eric Abetz likening him to Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels.
This, of course, comes amid ongoing tensions in the relationship between China and Australia.
The one-page letter, dated yesterday, is in response to a letter Abetz sent to the ambassador on 19 October. Abetz is the chair of the Senate foreign affairs, defence and trade legislation committee, which is conducting an inquiry into the Morrison government’s proposed foreign veto powers which are widely expected to target international agreements such as Victoria’s Belt and Road deal with China.
The ambassador began his letter by saying he wanted to share with Abetz a Chinese proverb that “A Mind of Malice does not present sense or truth”.
The ambassador did not name which witnesses before the inquiry he had in mind, but the public hearings have heard from critics of the Chinese Communist party such as Clive Hamilton and Drew Pavlou.
Cheng then appeared to turn his mind to Abetz’s controversial tactics at a separate inquiry into issues facing diaspora communities, where the senator last week urged three Chinese-Australians to publicly and unconditionally condemn “the Chinese Communist party dictatorship”.
Abetz told the Australian newspaper – which first reported the contents of the letter – that the “unattractive belligerent and indeed aggressive tone of His Excellency’s response confirms why so many in the Chinese diaspora live in fear of the Chinese Communist dictatorship even here in Australia”.
Andrews says he will get to watch the second half of the AFL grand final on Saturday, because in the first half he will be in meetings deciding what restrictions will ease for Sunday.
He predicts it’ll be close but Geelong will beat Richmond by one goal. And that’s the end of the press conference.
Andrews can’t say where chief health officer Prof Brett Sutton is today. He had yesterday off, and he hasn’t been in the press conference since Monday.
Sutton has not made an appearance at the daily presser since the hotel quarantine inquiry released letters that showed he did not think emails should be provided to the inquiry indicating he was included in a 27 March response to the federal government that explained private security would be used in hotel quarantine.
Sutton has said he did not absorb the information at the time.
Andrews denied it is unusual for Sutton to not appear at the press conference for the past few days, and said Sutton would be at the press conference on Saturday.