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Coronavirus Australia live updates: PM speaks on national cabinet as ASIC chair and deputy stand aside after annual report audit Coronavirus Australia live updates: PM announces reopening plan as 800 people self-isolate in Melbourne
(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
Looks like it is a bigger protest than previous ones have been. As someone in Melbourne, I understand the frustration with lockdown but we are about 48 hours away from (hopefully) much more restrictions being eased.
Police have used pepper spray against anti-lockdown protesters gathered at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, AAP reports.
Between 200 and 300 protesters gathered at the city’s sacred war memorial opposing coronavirus restrictions in the city.
An AAP photographer says police have used pepper spray amid scuffles.
A few people have been arrested.
A man being arrested and filmed by TV crews said, “What are you holding me for? What is the problem with you?”
The protest got under way about 2pm and is the latest in a string of protests against premier Daniel Andrews’ tough measures to control Covid infections throughout the past few months.
Protesters face two separate fines if they attend an anti-lockdown rally at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
Victoria police assistant commissioner Luke Cornelius has warned they could also fall foul of legislation governing behaviour at the shrine.
Cornelius said the RSL and the shrine have made it clear that any protest on the site is disrespectful to the memory of people who have served their country.
He said the shrine legislation covered behaviour and how people are dressed, adding that anyone who refuses to obey police could be fined about $300.
While lockdown rules have been eased this week, Melburnians can still travel no more than 25km from their homes and are not permitted to have visitors to their home unless for caregiving reasons.
They also can be fined if they gather in groups of more than 10 from more than two households, and must wear masks as well as social distance.
There were scuffles and several arrests last month as police broke up a protest at the shrine.
A website for the Friday protest tells participants: “Daniel Andrews must resign and lockdowns must end. Restore our freedoms now.”
My colleague Ben Butler has the full Asic story:
More from Senate estimates, via AAP:More from Senate estimates, via AAP:
A senior official engaged in negotiations over the Aboriginal flag has described talks with the artist as complex and delicate.A senior official engaged in negotiations over the Aboriginal flag has described talks with the artist as complex and delicate.
The National Indigenous Australians Agency is locked in discussions with Harold Thomas and the flag’s licensees.The National Indigenous Australians Agency is locked in discussions with Harold Thomas and the flag’s licensees.
NIAA chief executive Ray Griggs acknowledged use of the Aboriginal flag remains a divisive issue and has pledged to resolve the negotiations in a timely, fair and reasonable way.NIAA chief executive Ray Griggs acknowledged use of the Aboriginal flag remains a divisive issue and has pledged to resolve the negotiations in a timely, fair and reasonable way.
“These discussions are complex and delicate, and based on goodwill and trust,” he told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Friday. “These discussions are complex and delicate, and based on goodwill and trust,” he told Senate estimates on Friday.
“Mr Thomas has asked for these discussions to remain confidential at this point and NIAA intends to respect this.”“Mr Thomas has asked for these discussions to remain confidential at this point and NIAA intends to respect this.”
The government is negotiating to potentially buy the commercial rights from Thomas and the flag’s non-Indigenous licensees, in a move that would allow the design to be freely used. The government is negotiating to potentially buy the commercial rights from Thomas and the flag’s non-Indigenous licensees in a move that would allow the design to be freely used.
A parliamentary inquiry has recommended the government establish an independent body with custodial oversight of its use, if the artist is willing to part with its copyright. A parliamentary inquiry has recommended the government establish an independent body with custodial oversight of its use if the artist is willing to part with its copyright.
Re a chartered flight from Laos with 41 vulnerable Australians that was cancelled because it was not allowed to land in Cairns, Morrison said that was a matter for the Queensland government.Re a chartered flight from Laos with 41 vulnerable Australians that was cancelled because it was not allowed to land in Cairns, Morrison said that was a matter for the Queensland government.
Let’s summarise what Morrison announced out of national cabinet:Let’s summarise what Morrison announced out of national cabinet:
New reopening planNew reopening plan
Federal hotel quarantine review to be released todayFederal hotel quarantine review to be released today
COAG review to be released today Coag review to be released today
Recommendations of both have been adopted by national cabinetRecommendations of both have been adopted by national cabinet
National cabinet to keep exploring alternatives to hotel quarantine including quarantine for international students on campus, and mining workers at mining campsNational cabinet to keep exploring alternatives to hotel quarantine including quarantine for international students on campus, and mining workers at mining camps
Morrison aims to get 26,000 Australians stuck overseas back to Australia by Christmas, but depends on Victoria reopeningMorrison aims to get 26,000 Australians stuck overseas back to Australia by Christmas, but depends on Victoria reopening
All states and territories bar WA have committed to reopening by Christmas.All states and territories bar WA have committed to reopening by Christmas.
Still 2,800 vulnerable Australians overseasStill 2,800 vulnerable Australians overseas
Just over 200 active cases of Covid-19 in Australia, and no one in the ICUJust over 200 active cases of Covid-19 in Australia, and no one in the ICU
Morrison open to broader review of executive bonuses paid at government-owned businesses.Morrison open to broader review of executive bonuses paid at government-owned businesses.
That’s the end of the press conference. It’s a bit delayed on ABC because of the US presidential debate. I will pass on the new roadmap when PMO provides it to us.That’s the end of the press conference. It’s a bit delayed on ABC because of the US presidential debate. I will pass on the new roadmap when PMO provides it to us.
Morrison is asked if he is equally outraged about the ASIC chair standing aside amid the findings that he was overpaid as he was about Australia Post’s Cartier watches scandal.Morrison is asked if he is equally outraged about the ASIC chair standing aside amid the findings that he was overpaid as he was about Australia Post’s Cartier watches scandal.
Morrison said Shipton has stood aside.Morrison said Shipton has stood aside.
He’s then asked whether he was engaging in the politics of envy around the watches scandal. Morrison said he does not agree.He’s then asked whether he was engaging in the politics of envy around the watches scandal. Morrison said he does not agree.
“I don’t think what we learned yesterday would have passed any test with the Australian public when it comes to a company that is owned by the government,” he said.“I don’t think what we learned yesterday would have passed any test with the Australian public when it comes to a company that is owned by the government,” he said.
Morrison said he’s open to a wider review of public servant executive bonuses, but thinks there wouldn’t be a board member or CEO of a government agency that didn’t get his message yesterday.Morrison said he’s open to a wider review of public servant executive bonuses, but thinks there wouldn’t be a board member or CEO of a government agency that didn’t get his message yesterday.
“I think they got it with a rocket.”“I think they got it with a rocket.”
Prof Paul Kelly is asked about the commonwealth’s responsibility in aged care and the Covid-19 deaths in aged care.Prof Paul Kelly is asked about the commonwealth’s responsibility in aged care and the Covid-19 deaths in aged care.
Kelly says the government is “taking on board” the royal commission’s findings and will report in early December.Kelly says the government is “taking on board” the royal commission’s findings and will report in early December.
Morrison says he can’t put a timeline on when the international borders will reopen, and the airlines understand that.
“I think what is important is what we are signalling to the community ... We are already moving forward to try and solve these problems, so we are being proactive about it,” he says.
He says at this point in the pandemic with the cases coming under control, national cabinet not needing to have “phone books of announcements” every second day now means they have more time to plan when they meet.
Morrison says Victoria opening up in the next few weeks would allow for more returning Australians to quarantine in Victoria, and he said it would clear the backlog of more than 26,000 Australians wanting to get home before Christmas.
How long until people can return without being in hotel quarantine but in other quarantine arrangements such as at home? Morrison says it’s part of the review that is being conducted.
“There is no undue haste here. There are risks here ... We want to know what the options are. We want to know if they are safe.”
Morrison says the federal government is keen to see restrictions ease in Victoria this weekend.
He says the key to opening up is ensuring the public health system can cope with outbreaks, and all states and territories bar Western Australia had committed to opening the borders up before Christmas.
Morrison says there are about 2,800 vulnerable Australians still overseas, but 161 have landed in Darwin for their two-week quarantine at 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.