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| Coronavirus Australia update latest: Scott Morrison labels Twiggy Forrest’s comments on Covid-19 origin 'nonsense'– live news | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Sydney aged care home reports 13th coronavirus-related death as three more residents test positive. Follow live | |
| We are awaiting a press conference after today’s national cabinet meeting, which is happening right now. | |
| It is expected there will be news on a roadmap to resume professional and local sport, as well as changes to aged care visiting rules. | |
| I might kick off by pointing you to this interesting piece by ANU anthropologist Michael Rose. | |
| Rose says that if there is a Australia-NZ travel bubble during the pandemic, as been floated, then it should include our Pacific neighbours, too. | |
| Hi everyone, Luke Henriques-Gomes here, taking over my Naaman Zhou. Thanks to Naaman for his efforts this morning. | |
| Scott Morrison has described some of mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s comments as “nonsense” on 2GB radio today. | |
| The mining magnate had said, on a podcast by the West Australian newspaper a month ago, that the virus could have originated in a country other than China. “It just might be Australia, it just might be Britain, it just might be China,” he said on 2 April. | |
| Today, Morrison was asked about these comments on radio after Forrest brought China’s Victorian consul general to a government press conference yesterday. The prime minister said: | |
| Yesterday, Forrest invited consul general Long Zhou to a presser with the health minister, Greg Hunt, without Hunt’s knowledge. | |
| The mining magnate then told commentators to “take a chill pill” over the uproar. | The mining magnate then told commentators to “take a chill pill” over the uproar. |
| He described it as “the biggest non-story ever”. | He described it as “the biggest non-story ever”. |
| The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released new data on the impact of Covid-19 on household finances, finding that nearly half (45%) of Australians aged over 18 years have been impacted. | The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released new data on the impact of Covid-19 on household finances, finding that nearly half (45%) of Australians aged over 18 years have been impacted. |
| The results are: | The results are: |
| A third of Australians (31%) reported that their household finances had worsened over this period, while one in seven (14%) reported an improvement. | A third of Australians (31%) reported that their household finances had worsened over this period, while one in seven (14%) reported an improvement. |
| The majority of Australians (81%) said their household could raise $2,000 for something important within a week, lower than the 84% reported in 2014. | The majority of Australians (81%) said their household could raise $2,000 for something important within a week, lower than the 84% reported in 2014. |
| One in 13 Australians (7.5%) said their household lacked the money to pay one or more bills on time, and one in 10 (10%) had to draw on accumulated savings to support basic living expenses. | One in 13 Australians (7.5%) said their household lacked the money to pay one or more bills on time, and one in 10 (10%) had to draw on accumulated savings to support basic living expenses. |
| It seems the Covid-19 economic supports might be part of the reason people are mostly still able to pay their bills: | It seems the Covid-19 economic supports might be part of the reason people are mostly still able to pay their bills: |
| A quarter of Australians aged 18 years and over (28%) said they received the first one-off $750 economic support payment, announced by the commonwealth government in March. | A quarter of Australians aged 18 years and over (28%) said they received the first one-off $750 economic support payment, announced by the commonwealth government in March. |
| Those aged 65 years and over were more likely than those aged 18 to 64 to have received the first one-off $750 economic support payment (60% compared with 19%). | Those aged 65 years and over were more likely than those aged 18 to 64 to have received the first one-off $750 economic support payment (60% compared with 19%). |
| The Queensland Coalition MP Andrew Laming has asked people to “call the police” on teachers if they do not let their children attend school. | The Queensland Coalition MP Andrew Laming has asked people to “call the police” on teachers if they do not let their children attend school. |
| Laming, the federal MP for Bowman in Brisbane, posted the message in a video on Facebook yesterday. | Laming, the federal MP for Bowman in Brisbane, posted the message in a video on Facebook yesterday. |
| He said vulnerable students from poorer families were falling behind, AAP reports. | He said vulnerable students from poorer families were falling behind, AAP reports. |
| In Queensland, schools are currently open but only for the children of essential workers and vulnerable families. The government will re-evaluate that on 15 May. | In Queensland, schools are currently open but only for the children of essential workers and vulnerable families. The government will re-evaluate that on 15 May. |
| Queensland’s state education minister, Grace Grace, said Laming’s statements were “a little bit idiotic”. She told AAP: | Queensland’s state education minister, Grace Grace, said Laming’s statements were “a little bit idiotic”. She told AAP: |
| Labor leader Anthony Albanese has said that the home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, should concentrate on his job and “what went wrong with the Ruby Princess” before he criticises Victoria’s deputy chief medical officer. | Labor leader Anthony Albanese has said that the home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, should concentrate on his job and “what went wrong with the Ruby Princess” before he criticises Victoria’s deputy chief medical officer. |
| Dutton – and many state and federal Liberal MPs – called for the deputy CMO’s resignation today, after she made a tweet comparing Covid-19 to the arrival of James Cook. | Dutton – and many state and federal Liberal MPs – called for the deputy CMO’s resignation today, after she made a tweet comparing Covid-19 to the arrival of James Cook. |
| But Albanese told reporters “I’m not getting into that”. | But Albanese told reporters “I’m not getting into that”. |
| This does not mean the Labor preselection to replace retiring MP Mike Kelly has been completed, but Albanese says he “would expect that Kristy will receive strong support”. | This does not mean the Labor preselection to replace retiring MP Mike Kelly has been completed, but Albanese says he “would expect that Kristy will receive strong support”. |
| Albanese said earlier: “She is a strong and articulate person. She is someone who has been on the ground when the people of Eden-Monaro have needed people to be present.” | Albanese said earlier: “She is a strong and articulate person. She is someone who has been on the ground when the people of Eden-Monaro have needed people to be present.” |
| Labor leader Anthony Albanese has just announced his preferred candidate for the Eden-Monaro byelection. | Labor leader Anthony Albanese has just announced his preferred candidate for the Eden-Monaro byelection. |
| Kristy McBain, the mayor of Bega Valley Shire, is his pick, and both are giving a presser right now. McBain says: | Kristy McBain, the mayor of Bega Valley Shire, is his pick, and both are giving a presser right now. McBain says: |
| Channel Nine reports that the New Zealand Warriors have been given special permission to enter the country for the resumption of the NRL season. | Channel Nine reports that the New Zealand Warriors have been given special permission to enter the country for the resumption of the NRL season. |
| The national cabinet has allowed Tamworth Airport to receive one flight – on Sunday at 4pm – carrying the Kiwi team. | The national cabinet has allowed Tamworth Airport to receive one flight – on Sunday at 4pm – carrying the Kiwi team. |
| The team will have to quarantine for 14 days before they can play. The NRL is scheduled to start on 28 May. | The team will have to quarantine for 14 days before they can play. The NRL is scheduled to start on 28 May. |
| Some international freight flights will resume out of South Australia, AAP reports. | Some international freight flights will resume out of South Australia, AAP reports. |
| Services out of Adelaide airport are set to resume, with Singapore Airlines planning to use passenger aircraft to carry 40 tonnes of cargo on 6 May and 13 May. | Services out of Adelaide airport are set to resume, with Singapore Airlines planning to use passenger aircraft to carry 40 tonnes of cargo on 6 May and 13 May. |
| The state’s trade minister, David Ridgway, said it would be a big relief for South Australian exporters. | The state’s trade minister, David Ridgway, said it would be a big relief for South Australian exporters. |
| And another exclusive – this time from Chris Knaus and Ben Smee. | And another exclusive – this time from Chris Knaus and Ben Smee. |
| The Australian government entered a contract to buy 500,000 Covid-19 test kits from a company headed by a convicted rapist which had no experience in medical diagnostics, failed to deliver shipments at a critical point in the pandemic and is now under investigation by the medical regulator. | The Australian government entered a contract to buy 500,000 Covid-19 test kits from a company headed by a convicted rapist which had no experience in medical diagnostics, failed to deliver shipments at a critical point in the pandemic and is now under investigation by the medical regulator. |
| The company, Promedical, told the Australian government it could supply huge quantities of test kits, but they have not yet arrived and Promedical have not been paid. | The company, Promedical, told the Australian government it could supply huge quantities of test kits, but they have not yet arrived and Promedical have not been paid. |
| Promedical’s chief executive, Neran De Silva, was convicted of rape in 2018 and was a one-time business associate of the government services minister, Stuart Robert, through a cryotherapy treatment business. | Promedical’s chief executive, Neran De Silva, was convicted of rape in 2018 and was a one-time business associate of the government services minister, Stuart Robert, through a cryotherapy treatment business. |
| Before Guardian Australia’s revelations, Promedical was given positive media coverage by the Today Show, the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail and Sky News and described as “revolutionary” and “amazing”. | Before Guardian Australia’s revelations, Promedical was given positive media coverage by the Today Show, the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail and Sky News and described as “revolutionary” and “amazing”. |
| My colleague Melissa Davey has the exclusive story that negotiations are underway to supply five Australian hospitals with the experimental coronavirus drug remdesivir: | My colleague Melissa Davey has the exclusive story that negotiations are underway to supply five Australian hospitals with the experimental coronavirus drug remdesivir: |
| Read the full story: | Read the full story: |
| National cabinet will meet today and is expected to discuss bringing back sport (both elite and local) as well as easing additional restrictions to aged care homes. | National cabinet will meet today and is expected to discuss bringing back sport (both elite and local) as well as easing additional restrictions to aged care homes. |
| Many care facilities have instituted enhanced rules, beyond what is legally required. | Many care facilities have instituted enhanced rules, beyond what is legally required. |
| AAP reports that “the principles for sport and recreation are set to be a headline issue” at today’s meeting. | AAP reports that “the principles for sport and recreation are set to be a headline issue” at today’s meeting. |
| Peter Gutwein adds that he is “looking at” easing restrictions across the entire state: | Peter Gutwein adds that he is “looking at” easing restrictions across the entire state: |
| Tasmania’s premier, Peter Gutwein, has just announced that the additional restrictions imposed on the state’s north-west will be lifted by Monday. | Tasmania’s premier, Peter Gutwein, has just announced that the additional restrictions imposed on the state’s north-west will be lifted by Monday. |
| Additional restrictions had been placed on the region due to a coronavirus cluster among health workers, which was traced to the Ruby Princess cruise ship. | Additional restrictions had been placed on the region due to a coronavirus cluster among health workers, which was traced to the Ruby Princess cruise ship. |
| Up to 5,000 people who were healthcare workers and their families were placed under quarantine, and non-essential businesses and shops were banned. | Up to 5,000 people who were healthcare workers and their families were placed under quarantine, and non-essential businesses and shops were banned. |
| But on Friday Gutwein said these severe restrictions will be lifted, though the entire state would continue to have its existing restrictions. | But on Friday Gutwein said these severe restrictions will be lifted, though the entire state would continue to have its existing restrictions. |
| “We are confident that those additional restrictions, placed on the north-west on Sunday almost three weeks ago, the 12 April, will be able to lift,” he said. | “We are confident that those additional restrictions, placed on the north-west on Sunday almost three weeks ago, the 12 April, will be able to lift,” he said. |
| “Meaning on Monday the fourth of May, the businesses and services which were impacted by those additional restrictions can reopen, and the workers and staff will be able to return to work. | “Meaning on Monday the fourth of May, the businesses and services which were impacted by those additional restrictions can reopen, and the workers and staff will be able to return to work. |
| “It’s important to note this will only be the lifting of the additional restrictions. The statewide restrictions in place in terms of personal movement, the operation of certain businesses, will still apply.” | “It’s important to note this will only be the lifting of the additional restrictions. The statewide restrictions in place in terms of personal movement, the operation of certain businesses, will still apply.” |
| The north-west outbreak has been linked to 11 deaths so far. | The north-west outbreak has been linked to 11 deaths so far. |
| There are now less than 80 active cases in Queensland, with 11 people in hospital and four people in intensive care. There are still 2,700 Queenslanders in quarantine. | There are now less than 80 active cases in Queensland, with 11 people in hospital and four people in intensive care. There are still 2,700 Queenslanders in quarantine. |
| It has now been 93 days since the state’s first case. | It has now been 93 days since the state’s first case. |
| Asked when Queensland could be declared “Covid-free”, Jeannette Young said it would take weeks. | Asked when Queensland could be declared “Covid-free”, Jeannette Young said it would take weeks. |
| “For Queensland to be Covid-free, we would have to have no active cases and we probably have to wait for two incubation periods to be sure.” | “For Queensland to be Covid-free, we would have to have no active cases and we probably have to wait for two incubation periods to be sure.” |
| Queensland’s health minister, Stephen Miles, has announced there have been no new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours as the state gears up to ease restrictions at the weekend. | Queensland’s health minister, Stephen Miles, has announced there have been no new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours as the state gears up to ease restrictions at the weekend. |
| That means there have only been eight cases in the state this week. | That means there have only been eight cases in the state this week. |
| But Miles warned Queenslanders to still keep a 1.5-metre distance from other people, and not to become complacent. | But Miles warned Queenslanders to still keep a 1.5-metre distance from other people, and not to become complacent. |
| “Our message today is, this weekend, as we ease those restrictions, let’s not mess it up,” he said. “Let’s keep it up. Let’s keep getting the zero results.” | “Our message today is, this weekend, as we ease those restrictions, let’s not mess it up,” he said. “Let’s keep it up. Let’s keep getting the zero results.” |
| The state’s chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said Queensland could then see more restrictions lifted in future. | The state’s chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said Queensland could then see more restrictions lifted in future. |
| But that will depend on the weekend. | But that will depend on the weekend. |
| “We’ll immediately get feedback about what people have done,” she said. “If we see large gatherings in places, that would concern us greatly and we’ll have to rethink.” | “We’ll immediately get feedback about what people have done,” she said. “If we see large gatherings in places, that would concern us greatly and we’ll have to rethink.” |
| But she says there was no reason for transmission to increase under the new rules, because people were supposed to only be primarily with their household. | But she says there was no reason for transmission to increase under the new rules, because people were supposed to only be primarily with their household. |