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| Coronavirus Australia live update: Daniel Andrews says 'now is the time to open up' after Victoria records no Covid cases | Coronavirus Australia live update: Daniel Andrews says 'now is the time to open up' after Victoria records no Covid cases |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| From midnight tomorrow night Melbourne businesses will be able to start reopening as restrictions ease. Follow all the latest updates | From midnight tomorrow night Melbourne businesses will be able to start reopening as restrictions ease. Follow all the latest updates |
| Political editor Katherine Murphy has just filed this piece on another taxpayer-funded market research spend during the pandemic by the Morrison government | |
| The federal government has underspent nearly $7bn on defence capital program since the 2016 defence white paper, according to analysis presented to an estimates hearing today. | |
| The underspend has been blamed on a range of things including reallocating some of the funds to meet staff cost “pressures” and to fund the national redress scheme, along with revamping the timing of major projects. | |
| Labor senator Penny Wong presented analysis, produced by the opposition based on budget papers, indicating there had been a total underspend of $6.7bn (or 6.8%) in the defence capital program between 2016-17 and 2022-23. | |
| Wong said defence spending had been “announced with much fanfare by this government” in the 2016 white paper but the reality was different (adding to a theme that is becoming a major feature of the opposition’s messaging): | |
| “We’ve had big announcements but the delivery has been compromised by failure to actually ensure the budget has been spent on acquiring the capability that has been announced.” | |
| The defence minister, Linda Reynolds, said the government had approved more than 400 defence capability-related decisions since 2016 and was seeking to apply good budget management as projects progressed. | |
| Steven Groves, the chief finance officer for the defence department, indicated about $500m of the reported underspend related to foreign exchange-related adjustments, $600m represented transfers to the Australian Signals Directorate, and $2.5bn related to government and defence priority changes. | |
| That $2.5bn included $900m moved to labour expenses because “we had pressures in other parts of the budget”. Defence reallocated $200m to contribute to the national redress scheme, because the government expected it to manage those funds within the overall defence funding envelope. | |
| In terms of rejigging the timing and funding profile of major projects, Groves said the 2016 white paper had featured a “level of ambition” about spending ramping up that to be adjusted as things progressed. | |
| Just on Michael O’Brien, an Ipsos poll conducted for the Age found his approval rating was 15% last week. Daniel Andrews’ was 52%. | |
| This just released press statement from the Victorian opposition leader, Michael O’Brien, slightly dampens things: | |
| Victorians will finally start to catch up to the rest of Australia next month, after almost half a year of lockdowns caused by the Andrews Labor government’s botched hotel quarantine program. | |
| There is much more to do to open up Victoria and today’s belated announcement must only be the start. | |
| The hotel quarantine second wave appears to have been defeated but the cost to Victorians of Daniel Andrews’ failure is immense. | |
| Victorians have paid a massive price for the worst public policy failure in Australia’s history with around 220,000 jobs lost, thousands of businesses closed and almost 800 deaths. | |
| The basic freedoms of Victorians have been taken away by the Andrews Labor government. | |
| The sacrifices we have been forced to make constitute a permanent scar on our state and its people. | |
| The Andrews Labor government caused Victoria’s second wave of Covid-19 by rejecting ADF assistance for hotel quarantine in favour of poorly trained private security. | |
| Labor then prolonged the harsh lockdowns by continual botching of contact tracing and testing. | |
| Too many small businesses have closed forever, too many small businesses were left out of state government financial assistance, too many jobs have been lost in Victoria and too much pain has been endured. | |
| Daniel Andrews has continually blamed Victorians for his incompetence and has failed to take responsibility. He is more interested in protecting his own job than in protecting the jobs of Victorians. | |
| Victoria needs a plan to keep our community safe from Covid-19, but also to turn our focus to getting Victorians back to work to repair the economic damage that’s been done by Labor’s lockdowns. | |
| Only the Liberal Nationals have a plan to reopen Victoria sooner and safer, in a Covid-safe way, and get Victorians back to work. | |
| Cheers Amy, well said. I just finished a Rooibos tea, but it is definitely a day for the top shelf (mine is not as well stocked as the premier’s, who I’m reliably informed fancies a red). | |
| What a lovely feeling to be able to hand over the blog having been able to deliver some good news. Nino Bucci will take you through the rest of the day, but first, a small personal note: | What a lovely feeling to be able to hand over the blog having been able to deliver some good news. Nino Bucci will take you through the rest of the day, but first, a small personal note: |
| I have live blogged most of this year (I usually only do parliament, so running a daily blog has been an experience) and I have to say I can’t remember another day this year where I actually felt lighter at being able to write some words and hit publish. | |
| But writing out Melbourne is opening up actually brought tears to my eyes. I wasn’t locked down, like a lot of you and many of my colleagues (who kept turning up at their computers day after day, despite the drudgery and isolation – and bringing you important stories and covering this blog), I followed along each day from behind this keyboard. But I read your messages, and I saw your pleas, and your determination, and I shared in the despair and the misery and applauded your grit, humour and courage in trying to find the bright side. | |
| To those who did most of these past six months alone – I hope you could feel us behind you. I hope you get to reunite with your loved ones very soon. I hope you can throw yourself into the sea, or run wild in a green space, and bump into people without a screen in the way (Covid-safe of course). | |
| I hope you can soon see your loved ones and breathe the same air and eat and drink at your favourite haunts to your heart’s content. I hope you can get your eyebrows done, and get that tattoo you’ve been drawing on yourself, and buy new underwear and visit that one deli that sat just outside your bubble, but has that cheese you have been dreaming about. | |
| Most of all, I hope you all get to go to sleep tomorrow knowing that come midnight tomorrow night, you get the dose of normal that we have had for long enough now that we have started taking it for granted. It’s not completely the same, but day to day it’s close enough. | Most of all, I hope you all get to go to sleep tomorrow knowing that come midnight tomorrow night, you get the dose of normal that we have had for long enough now that we have started taking it for granted. It’s not completely the same, but day to day it’s close enough. |
| I and the Guardian will be with you on this blog until the end. But, as one of the people privileged to have been able to bring you your daily news during all of this, thank you. Thank you for sharing with us, thank you for trusting us, and thank you for giving us an insight into your life. | I and the Guardian will be with you on this blog until the end. But, as one of the people privileged to have been able to bring you your daily news during all of this, thank you. Thank you for sharing with us, thank you for trusting us, and thank you for giving us an insight into your life. |
| And tonight, I hope you get on whatever your version of the beers happens to be. I’ll be raising one to you Victoria. Take care of you and see you tomorrow. | And tonight, I hope you get on whatever your version of the beers happens to be. I’ll be raising one to you Victoria. Take care of you and see you tomorrow. |
| A statement has just come out from the prime minister’s office: | A statement has just come out from the prime minister’s office: |
| The commonwealth government welcomes the announcement by the Victorian premier to ease restrictions from 11.59pm on Tuesday. | The commonwealth government welcomes the announcement by the Victorian premier to ease restrictions from 11.59pm on Tuesday. |
| Victorians have worked hard and sacrificed a lot to get to this point. We thank them for their patience and perseverance. | Victorians have worked hard and sacrificed a lot to get to this point. We thank them for their patience and perseverance. |
| Today’s announcement is a reflection of the dedication and effort of Victorians – taking the next step to reopen Victorian society and the state’s economy. | Today’s announcement is a reflection of the dedication and effort of Victorians – taking the next step to reopen Victorian society and the state’s economy. |
| After a long winter, there is light at the end of the tunnel for Victorians. | After a long winter, there is light at the end of the tunnel for Victorians. |
| As we said yesterday – Victorians have made great progress in reducing the rate of Covid-19 infections from the second wave outbreak in Victoria. | As we said yesterday – Victorians have made great progress in reducing the rate of Covid-19 infections from the second wave outbreak in Victoria. |
| The new national framework to reopen by Christmas is a clear and transparent, three-step national plan which provides the Australian community and businesses with a way forward where Australians can live and work in a Covid-normal Australia, ensuring that we maintain strong health protections and minimise job losses and mental health impacts. | The new national framework to reopen by Christmas is a clear and transparent, three-step national plan which provides the Australian community and businesses with a way forward where Australians can live and work in a Covid-normal Australia, ensuring that we maintain strong health protections and minimise job losses and mental health impacts. |
| Under the new ‘national framework’ released last week, Victoria is now moving towards step one – an important step on the pathway to Covid-normal. | Under the new ‘national framework’ released last week, Victoria is now moving towards step one – an important step on the pathway to Covid-normal. |
| Australia has been a world leader in fighting the virus to save lives and to save livelihoods and with today’s announcement, we look forward to Victoria continuing to make progress on the path to reopening and joining the rest of the country at steps two and three in the national plan. | Australia has been a world leader in fighting the virus to save lives and to save livelihoods and with today’s announcement, we look forward to Victoria continuing to make progress on the path to reopening and joining the rest of the country at steps two and three in the national plan. |
| It will be important for the Victorian government to provide even more clarity to Victorians in the coming days and where restrictions do not have a health basis that they are removed quickly. | It will be important for the Victorian government to provide even more clarity to Victorians in the coming days and where restrictions do not have a health basis that they are removed quickly. |
| We congratulate Victorians – this was the announcement that they were expecting and one they have worked hard to achieve. | We congratulate Victorians – this was the announcement that they were expecting and one they have worked hard to achieve. |
| It is important for Victoria to safely open and stay safely open. | It is important for Victoria to safely open and stay safely open. |
| The prime minister and premiers Berejiklian, Marshall and Andrews will continue to take advice regarding hard border restrictions. | The prime minister and premiers Berejiklian, Marshall and Andrews will continue to take advice regarding hard border restrictions. |
| The commonwealth government will continue to support Victoria through this crisis. | The commonwealth government will continue to support Victoria through this crisis. |
| DHHS has put out its daily statement for what will forever be known as Victoria’s Doughnut (donut if you prefer, I am not fussed) Day. | DHHS has put out its daily statement for what will forever be known as Victoria’s Doughnut (donut if you prefer, I am not fussed) Day. |
| Today’s statement: | Today’s statement: |
| The Department of Health and Human Services continues to work to contain an outbreak of coronavirus in Melbourne’s northern suburbs with 16,382 tests completed in the area since last Tuesday. | The Department of Health and Human Services continues to work to contain an outbreak of coronavirus in Melbourne’s northern suburbs with 16,382 tests completed in the area since last Tuesday. |
| The response from the local community has been outstanding. In the past 24 hours, we have been able to process an additional 3,196 tests from these communities. | The response from the local community has been outstanding. In the past 24 hours, we have been able to process an additional 3,196 tests from these communities. |
| In addition to the testing, more than 380 people were contacted over the weekend through an extensive community health program that advised residents in Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Moreland and Nillumbik about potential exposures, testing sites and how to access supports including financial assistance. | In addition to the testing, more than 380 people were contacted over the weekend through an extensive community health program that advised residents in Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Moreland and Nillumbik about potential exposures, testing sites and how to access supports including financial assistance. |
| Testing sites open in northern metropolitan Melbourne today include: | Testing sites open in northern metropolitan Melbourne today include: |
| East Preston Islamic college drive-through, 55 Tyler St, Preston, 24-27 October, 9am-5pm. Open to college staff and families. | East Preston Islamic college drive-through, 55 Tyler St, Preston, 24-27 October, 9am-5pm. Open to college staff and families. |
| Croxton school, in-home testing for remaining close contacts. | Croxton school, in-home testing for remaining close contacts. |
| Broadmeadows Central shopping centre, north car park, Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows, 9am–5pm. | Broadmeadows Central shopping centre, north car park, Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows, 9am–5pm. |
| Coolaroo respiratory centre, 512 Barry St, Coolaroo, 9am-5pm, people with symptoms only. | Coolaroo respiratory centre, 512 Barry St, Coolaroo, 9am-5pm, people with symptoms only. |
| Craigieburn health service, 274–304 Craigieburn Rd, 9am–5pm. | Craigieburn health service, 274–304 Craigieburn Rd, 9am–5pm. |
| Melbourne airport, Terminal 4 Level 2 (Mercer Dve exit off Tullamarine Fwy), 9am–5pm. | Melbourne airport, Terminal 4 Level 2 (Mercer Dve exit off Tullamarine Fwy), 9am–5pm. |
| Roxburgh Park shopping centre, 250 Somerton Rd, Roxburgh Park, hours TBC. | Roxburgh Park shopping centre, 250 Somerton Rd, Roxburgh Park, hours TBC. |
| Roxburgh Park youth and recreation centre, 75 Lakeside Drive, Roxburgh Park, 9am-12.30pm and 1pm-5pm. | Roxburgh Park youth and recreation centre, 75 Lakeside Drive, Roxburgh Park, 9am-12.30pm and 1pm-5pm. |
| Western Health – Sunbury respiratory clinic, 29 Timins St, Sunbury, 10am-5.30pm. | Western Health – Sunbury respiratory clinic, 29 Timins St, Sunbury, 10am-5.30pm. |
| Austin hospital,145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, 8am–8pm. | Austin hospital,145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, 8am–8pm. |
| Banyule Health, 21 Alamein Rd, Heidelberg West, 10am–4pm. | Banyule Health, 21 Alamein Rd, Heidelberg West, 10am–4pm. |
| Banyule Health, 14–32 Civic Drive, Greensborough, 9am–4pm. | Banyule Health, 14–32 Civic Drive, Greensborough, 9am–4pm. |
| Heidelberg West mobile unit aligned to community engagement movements including at Malahang Reserve, 10am-5pm. | Heidelberg West mobile unit aligned to community engagement movements including at Malahang Reserve, 10am-5pm. |
| Northland shopping centre, Target car park via Murray Rd, Preston, 9am–5pm. | Northland shopping centre, Target car park via Murray Rd, Preston, 9am–5pm. |
| CB Smith Reserve, 79 Jukes Rd, Fawkner, 9am–4pm. | CB Smith Reserve, 79 Jukes Rd, Fawkner, 9am–4pm. |
| Reservoir leisure centre, 2A Cuthbert Rd, Reservoir, 10am-5pm. | Reservoir leisure centre, 2A Cuthbert Rd, Reservoir, 10am-5pm. |
| Victoria has recorded no new cases of coronavirus since yesterday. This is the first time Victoria has experienced a day of zero cases since 9 June. | Victoria has recorded no new cases of coronavirus since yesterday. This is the first time Victoria has experienced a day of zero cases since 9 June. |
| And a few more instant reactions: | And a few more instant reactions: |
| And from the former Victorian health minister: | And from the former Victorian health minister: |
| The Business Council of Australia is happy to hear the reopening news. Sort of. | The Business Council of Australia is happy to hear the reopening news. Sort of. |
| From its statement: | From its statement: |
| Today’s easing of restrictions is welcome relief for Victorians and the rest of the country, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said. | Today’s easing of restrictions is welcome relief for Victorians and the rest of the country, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said. |
| “This is an important and much needed step in the right direction that will allow people to start getting on with their lives and reopening their businesses. | “This is an important and much needed step in the right direction that will allow people to start getting on with their lives and reopening their businesses. |
| “We urge the Victorian government to work with business to ensure the state can fully reopen. | “We urge the Victorian government to work with business to ensure the state can fully reopen. |
| “It’s disappointing that many businesses will need to wait until 8 November before they have any certainty about reopening. | “It’s disappointing that many businesses will need to wait until 8 November before they have any certainty about reopening. |
| “Businesses need a plan now so they have the confidence to restock their shelves, rehire workers and get ready to reopen their doors. | “Businesses need a plan now so they have the confidence to restock their shelves, rehire workers and get ready to reopen their doors. |
| “This needs to be a clear plan with clear dates and milestones and be subject to meeting health targets. | “This needs to be a clear plan with clear dates and milestones and be subject to meeting health targets. |
| “We cannot afford to have a stop and start approach to restrictions. | “We cannot afford to have a stop and start approach to restrictions. |
| “Families also need certainty and hope about their Christmas plans and whether they can be reunited with loved ones. | “Families also need certainty and hope about their Christmas plans and whether they can be reunited with loved ones. |
| “If the downward trajectory of case numbers in Victoria continues, business calls on the Victorian government to remove restrictions faster and remove all limits on commerce, activity and movement throughout the state. | “If the downward trajectory of case numbers in Victoria continues, business calls on the Victorian government to remove restrictions faster and remove all limits on commerce, activity and movement throughout the state. |
| “It’s critical we lock in today’s gains by getting the right health systems in place to manage the virus. | “It’s critical we lock in today’s gains by getting the right health systems in place to manage the virus. |
| “We want to work with the Victorian government on the right policies to get things going again. | “We want to work with the Victorian government on the right policies to get things going again. |
| “Together we can start the process of rebuilding investment and rebuilding jobs in Victoria.” | “Together we can start the process of rebuilding investment and rebuilding jobs in Victoria.” |
| That’s it for the Daniel Andrews press conference. | That’s it for the Daniel Andrews press conference. |
| If I were to make a bold prediction, I think the Victorian premier will see out the week with daily press conferences – there are still some details people need to know, mostly when and how they will be able to see their loved ones again – and then, barring nothing else out of the blue happening, have the weekend off from holding a press conference. | If I were to make a bold prediction, I think the Victorian premier will see out the week with daily press conferences – there are still some details people need to know, mostly when and how they will be able to see their loved ones again – and then, barring nothing else out of the blue happening, have the weekend off from holding a press conference. |
| Today was his 116th consecutive press conference – that is not something to celebrate (I still find it hard to believe that the party sent out a congratulatory tweet for the 100th, given the reason why there have been daily press conferences) but I don’t think there is anyone who would begrudge the premier a day or two off from fronting the media. | Today was his 116th consecutive press conference – that is not something to celebrate (I still find it hard to believe that the party sent out a congratulatory tweet for the 100th, given the reason why there have been daily press conferences) but I don’t think there is anyone who would begrudge the premier a day or two off from fronting the media. |
| If he goes through to Friday, that will be 120 consecutive press conferences. Let’s hope all stays as it is (or continues to get better) and we can see an end to the daily events – because that will be another step towards normal for the people of Victoria and in particular Melbourne. | If he goes through to Friday, that will be 120 consecutive press conferences. Let’s hope all stays as it is (or continues to get better) and we can see an end to the daily events – because that will be another step towards normal for the people of Victoria and in particular Melbourne. |
| If I could shout you all one, I would. | If I could shout you all one, I would. |
| Unfortunately, I don’t get paid that much. | Unfortunately, I don’t get paid that much. |
| So instead, just know I’ll be raising one to you tonight, Victoria. | So instead, just know I’ll be raising one to you tonight, Victoria. |
| Daniel Andrews is asked if he would have done anything different in hindsight: | Daniel Andrews is asked if he would have done anything different in hindsight: |
| You’ll also get a decision on Halloween in the next 48 hours – as in, whether or not children will be able to trick or treat. | You’ll also get a decision on Halloween in the next 48 hours – as in, whether or not children will be able to trick or treat. |
| Daniel Andrews: | Daniel Andrews: |
| On the racing carnival, there is a chance that people connected with the race (owners and their connections) could have small gatherings at the races – basically what was announced and then cancelled for the Cox Plate. | On the racing carnival, there is a chance that people connected with the race (owners and their connections) could have small gatherings at the races – basically what was announced and then cancelled for the Cox Plate. |
| But we will learn more in the coming days. | But we will learn more in the coming days. |