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Australia news live: Daniel Andrews in intensive care after breaking ribs Australia news live: Daniel Andrews in intensive care after breaking ribs
(30 minutes later)
Victorian premier says he damaged his vertebrae in a fall; former prime minister Kevin Rudd addresses National Press Club. Follow the latest updatesVictorian premier says he damaged his vertebrae in a fall; former prime minister Kevin Rudd addresses National Press Club. Follow the latest updates
A Senate inquiry into the government’s jobseeker bill has concluded its one and only hearing before it reports on Friday.
I have already provided some of the key points from the morning session, including comments from Julie Stephen, who offered a moving personal reflection of her life on welfare payments.
To bring you up to speed on the rest of the day’s evidence, it’s fair to say the remaining witnesses – bar the Department of Social Services – were also highly critical of the $3.50-a-day increase.
The committee heard from Paul Zahra, from the Australia Retailers Association, who argued the $50 per fortnight boost to payments proposed by the government is insufficient. Zahra said the effective reduction to payments from April would hurt retailers due reduced spending on goods such as food and pharmaceutical.
Matt Grundoff, of the Australia Institute, said his organisation had done research show there was a “negative relationship” between the rate of unemployment payments and the unemployment rate.
This meant more generous income support payments did not dis-incentivise work. In a session considering the impact of the bill on Indigenous community, Leanne Caton, of the the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory, said the $50 per fortnight increase was “wildly inadequate” and a “slap in the face” to welfare recipients.
Outside the hearing, Australian Unemployed Workers Union, which is run by and represents jobseekers, said in a statement it was “appalled” its members were not able to appear at the hearing.
The union’s view was shared by Cassandra Goldie, the chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service, who said she was “very troubled” the inquiry did not allow more people who would be affected by the legislation to give evidence.
Stephens was the only jobseeker who gave evidence today.
Bit of media news:
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbullhas been calling for Australia to reignite the Republican Movement once the Queen’s reign ends.
Now, if you have been following the blog all day I’m sure you are totally across the history of Australian Republicanism, but if by any chance you aren’t, I have good news!
Guardian Australia has been creating fast informative videos to help you make sense of the day’s news on their Tiktok account. Today we are talking ‘The Republic’, so you can get up to date in less time than it takes to make a cup of tea at the office kitchenette.
Have a watch below and follow our account to check out our other Tiktok adventures.
The UK has been warned not to support former Australian finance minister Mathias Cormann’s nomination to be the next secretary fo the OECD.
Cormann is currently in the top two, alongside former EU trade commissioner and Swedish politician Cecilia Malström.
It’s understood the UK has privately told Australia that Cormann has its backing, but that position is being criticised by the Labour party and also by European nations, most of whom back Malström.
Michael Bloss, the German Green MEP, said:
Read more here:
I regret to inform you that I have misled the blog readers about Australia’s biggest youtuber.I regret to inform you that I have misled the blog readers about Australia’s biggest youtuber.
I said it was a chap named Lachlan who is a Fortnite star with 14.6m subscribers. Have since been told it may be an Australian account called LazarBeam, also a Fortnite player, who has 18.3m subscribers.I said it was a chap named Lachlan who is a Fortnite star with 14.6m subscribers. Have since been told it may be an Australian account called LazarBeam, also a Fortnite player, who has 18.3m subscribers.
Either way: both considerably outpace Sky News.Either way: both considerably outpace Sky News.
I feel very old.I feel very old.
South Australian health authorities have urged anyone who visited Adelaide in the past week – which would include people who attended the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Writer’s Week — to get tested for Covid-19 after fragments of the virus were detected in sewage.South Australian health authorities have urged anyone who visited Adelaide in the past week – which would include people who attended the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Writer’s Week — to get tested for Covid-19 after fragments of the virus were detected in sewage.
Wastewater testing in Adelaide has returned a strong postive result for the virus for two days in a row. The result was recorded in a catchment that included the CBD.Wastewater testing in Adelaide has returned a strong postive result for the virus for two days in a row. The result was recorded in a catchment that included the CBD.
AAP reports that it’s possible the results have come from old cases of the virus among people in the city’s quarantine hotels, but that authorities had nevertheless urged anyone who visited the Adelaide CBD last week to get tested if they have even the mildest of symptoms.AAP reports that it’s possible the results have come from old cases of the virus among people in the city’s quarantine hotels, but that authorities had nevertheless urged anyone who visited the Adelaide CBD last week to get tested if they have even the mildest of symptoms.
Deputy chief public health officer Emily Kirkpatrick told reporters:Deputy chief public health officer Emily Kirkpatrick told reporters:
SA reported two new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, both in hotel quarantine. They are a teenage girl and one in a man in his 60s, who recently returned from overseas.SA reported two new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, both in hotel quarantine. They are a teenage girl and one in a man in his 60s, who recently returned from overseas.
There were 1,072 doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered in Victoria yesterday, bringing the total number of doses administered so far to 15,494.There were 1,072 doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered in Victoria yesterday, bringing the total number of doses administered so far to 15,494.
Victoria will also start distributing AstraZeneca vaccinations this week. It has an allocation of 50,800 doses from the federal government.Victoria will also start distributing AstraZeneca vaccinations this week. It has an allocation of 50,800 doses from the federal government.
Monash University Professor Jenny Hocking, biographer of Gough Whitlam and author of The Palace Letters, has weighed in on that explosive interview between Oprah and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.Monash University Professor Jenny Hocking, biographer of Gough Whitlam and author of The Palace Letters, has weighed in on that explosive interview between Oprah and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Hocking says the Meghan and Harry interview is a rare insight into the mechanics of a monarchy Australians are often kept in the dark about.Hocking says the Meghan and Harry interview is a rare insight into the mechanics of a monarchy Australians are often kept in the dark about.
She says:She says:
Two Indigenous people died in custody in NSW last week but their deaths were not reported publicly until a bureaucrat was questioned during a parliamentary budget estimates hearing today, AAP has reported.Two Indigenous people died in custody in NSW last week but their deaths were not reported publicly until a bureaucrat was questioned during a parliamentary budget estimates hearing today, AAP has reported.
AAP’s Hannah Ryan writes:AAP’s Hannah Ryan writes:
Crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day: Lifeline 13 11 14; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467; Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800; MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78; Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636Crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day: Lifeline 13 11 14; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467; Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800; MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78; Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews will be in intensive care for the next few days after breaking several ribs and doing vertebrae damage after falling down “wet and slippery stairs”.Victorian premier Daniel Andrews will be in intensive care for the next few days after breaking several ribs and doing vertebrae damage after falling down “wet and slippery stairs”.
Here Andrews’s the full statement:Here Andrews’s the full statement:
Sunshine hospital in Melbourne has converted its underground carpark to a vaccination hub, complete with cubicles and widely-spaced chairs of the kind chosen for their ability to be stacked neatly rather than sat on comfortably.Sunshine hospital in Melbourne has converted its underground carpark to a vaccination hub, complete with cubicles and widely-spaced chairs of the kind chosen for their ability to be stacked neatly rather than sat on comfortably.
Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said the hospital is part of increasing vaccination capacity.Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said the hospital is part of increasing vaccination capacity.
Let’s go back to one of the details from prime minister Scott Morrison’s press conference in Sydney earlier today, which included the news that he has spoken directly to Linda Reynolds’ doctor about her medical condition.Let’s go back to one of the details from prime minister Scott Morrison’s press conference in Sydney earlier today, which included the news that he has spoken directly to Linda Reynolds’ doctor about her medical condition.
Reynolds, the defence minister, has taken extended medical leave until at least 2 April.Reynolds, the defence minister, has taken extended medical leave until at least 2 April.
Morrison said her health conditions are “quite serious”. He told reporters:Morrison said her health conditions are “quite serious”. He told reporters:
The head of the department of prime minister and cabinet, Phil Gaetjens, has appeared at the Covid-19 Senate inquiry.The head of the department of prime minister and cabinet, Phil Gaetjens, has appeared at the Covid-19 Senate inquiry.
In addition to his work leading a taskforce to consider how Australia returns to normal as the vaccines are rolled out, Gaetjens is also currently engaged in a snap inquiry into the prime minister’s office’s handling of the Brittany Higgins rape allegation.In addition to his work leading a taskforce to consider how Australia returns to normal as the vaccines are rolled out, Gaetjens is also currently engaged in a snap inquiry into the prime minister’s office’s handling of the Brittany Higgins rape allegation.
Labor senators try a few questions on the latter, but get little info except that they’ve conducted interviews, and Gaetjens is expecting to complete his report for Scott Morrison shortly.Labor senators try a few questions on the latter, but get little info except that they’ve conducted interviews, and Gaetjens is expecting to complete his report for Scott Morrison shortly.
On the vaccine rollout, Gaetjens said he still believes the government is on track to meet its pledge of vaccinating all Australians by October. He dismissed issues including the overdoses in Queensland and problems with cold chain storage in Werribee as “noise” and “teething problems” that are being overcome, and even clapped back by suggesting that talking about them did more to damage confidence in the rollout.On the vaccine rollout, Gaetjens said he still believes the government is on track to meet its pledge of vaccinating all Australians by October. He dismissed issues including the overdoses in Queensland and problems with cold chain storage in Werribee as “noise” and “teething problems” that are being overcome, and even clapped back by suggesting that talking about them did more to damage confidence in the rollout.
Gaetjens also dismissed as “noise” the suggestion that Pfizer had superior efficacy to the AstraZeneca vaccine, arguing that AZ is “very similar and, in some cases, delivering better results than Pfizer” with both at around 80%-90% efficacy at preventing contraction of Covid-19, “they’re very good outcomes”.Gaetjens also dismissed as “noise” the suggestion that Pfizer had superior efficacy to the AstraZeneca vaccine, arguing that AZ is “very similar and, in some cases, delivering better results than Pfizer” with both at around 80%-90% efficacy at preventing contraction of Covid-19, “they’re very good outcomes”.
Gaetjens refused to provide the terms of reference of the taskforce, although read out the national cabinet statement which he said was a “very close facsimile”.Gaetjens refused to provide the terms of reference of the taskforce, although read out the national cabinet statement which he said was a “very close facsimile”.
Gaetjens described the taskforce’s job as ensuring Australia has the “data and information to give confidence that non-proportional responses are not necessary given we will be increasing vaccine rollout”. So it’s clearly all about opening up – not using lockdowns or border closures to stop Covid-19 once enough of the Australian population have been vaccinated.Gaetjens described the taskforce’s job as ensuring Australia has the “data and information to give confidence that non-proportional responses are not necessary given we will be increasing vaccine rollout”. So it’s clearly all about opening up – not using lockdowns or border closures to stop Covid-19 once enough of the Australian population have been vaccinated.
Here’s a video clip from that exchange between Kevin Rudd and the Australian’s Greg Brown.Here’s a video clip from that exchange between Kevin Rudd and the Australian’s Greg Brown.
Western Australia has reported one new case of Covid-19 in hotel quarantine, and none in the community.Western Australia has reported one new case of Covid-19 in hotel quarantine, and none in the community.
The new case is a man in his 30s. There are currently eight active cases in WA.The new case is a man in his 30s. There are currently eight active cases in WA.
Some 1,449 people were vaccinated in WA yesterday. To date, 9,289 West Australians have received their first dose.Some 1,449 people were vaccinated in WA yesterday. To date, 9,289 West Australians have received their first dose.
I wanted to share one more part of the Q&A from Kevin Rudd’s national press club address, on Australia’s climate policy.I wanted to share one more part of the Q&A from Kevin Rudd’s national press club address, on Australia’s climate policy.
Pablo Viñales from SBS asked whether Labor should be bolder in its climate ambitions at the next election, and at the very least set a mid-term target?Pablo Viñales from SBS asked whether Labor should be bolder in its climate ambitions at the next election, and at the very least set a mid-term target?
The short answer is: yes.The short answer is: yes.
Here’s the long answer:Here’s the long answer: