PoliticsNow: Scott Morrison says new job-making initiatives will go to Senate after IR plans gutted
PM says the government will introduce more ‘job-making initiatives’ after a stripped back IR overhaul passed the Senate.
- PM: More jobs now than before Covid
- Airline staff win JobKeeper reprieve
- Flint pleads with trolls to stop
- Unemployment plunges to5.8pc
Welcome to PoliticsNow, our live coverage of the latest headlines from Canberra and beyond amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
Scott Morrison says new job-making initiatives will be pitched to the Senate after a pared down IR overhaul passed the upper house.
More than 8000 airline employees unable to work because of international border closures have won a seven-month extension to wage support which the federal government said was “entirely different to JobKeeper’’.
The unemployment rate plunged from 6.4 per cent to 5.8 per cent in February, as the economy added a further 88,700 jobs – smashing expectations of a much more sedate lift in employment.
Australia could face further delays of imported vaccines in the coming months after Europe engaged in “undemocratic brinkmanship” and intensified the “vaccine wars” overnight (AEDT).
Paul Garvey9.20pm:Vote whisperer in war of words
Arguably the most unlikely triumph of Glenn Druery’s career of preference harvesting has been overshadowed by a war of words between him and the West Australian arms of One Nation and the Australian Christians.
Both the Daylight Saving Party and Legalise Cannabis WA look set to claim seats in WA’s upper house thanks to the flow of micro-party preferences engineered by Mr Druery.
The likely election of Daylight Saving Party leader Wilson Tucker in the Mining and Pastoral district looks particularly remarkable, given his party has so far received just 67 direct votes and was ranked 17th of 21 parties on the ticket after the first count.
Speaking to The Australian, Mr Druery said he had never seen a candidate win from such a starting point but said the micro-parties could have won even more seats if two parties had followed his preference recommendations. “If One Nation and the Christians hadn’t lied to me and ratted on deals, I would have won potentially four to five seats instead of two,” he said.
“You must have honour and integrity at this level and One Nation and the Christians were extremely economical with the truth at this election.”
Tom Dusevic8.35pm: Jobs train’s a-comin’, rolling round the bend
The headline unemployment rate may not be the best measure of what’s happening in the economy right now. It’s a lagging indicator and tells you little about the actual slack in the economy.
As well, it’s an open question about how low the jobless rate needs to go before wages and inflation start to rise. How distant that day seems, even as economists’ electric abacuses recalculate a brighter future.
Yet 5.8 per cent is a potent number on the political and policy scoreboard, the one every voter can understand, a totem of how many people are doing it tough a year into COVID-19 and how hard it may be to get another job if they lose their current one.
Rhiannon Down 8.15pm: Britain faces vaccine shortage
British citizens under 50 will be forced to wait for their next jab, as the UK faces a “serious reduction in supplies”.
The NHS warned that it was facing a four week supply drought due to a shortfall in the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said jabs would not be offered to those under 50 until late next month.
Mr Hancock said vaccination efforts would be focused on vulnerable groups and younger adults only under “exceptional circumstances”.
He said despite this the country remained on track to hit vaccination targets.
READ MORE:EU threatens to seize factories, stop jab exports
Nicola Berkovic8.05pm:Ex-solicitor-general leads ABC team in Porter case
Former commonwealth solicitor-general Justin Gleeson SC will lead a team of barristers to defend the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan in its defamation battle against Attorney-General Christian Porter.
Mr Gleeson has already waded into public debate about whether Mr Porter was fit to continue in his role — recently calling on Scott Morrison to enlist the current Solicitor-General, Stephen Donaghue QC, to assess whether the allegations against Mr Porter justified an inquiry.
He also said the Prime Minister should have read the 31-page dossier sent to him anonymously by the friends of the woman who accused Mr Porter of raping her in 1988.
Natasha Robinson, Olivia Caisley7.25pm: EU vaccine war leaves supply in doubt
AstraZeneca has refused to commit to providing Australia with any more doses of overseas-produced vaccines anytime soon as the European Union escalated its threats to block the export of more doses and canvassed seizing the company’s factory production, intellectual property rights and patents.
The dramatic escalation of vaccine nationalism in Europe came as Australia finally hit a national target of vaccinating at least 80,000 people a week.
About 240,000 people have now been vaccinated in Australia. It’s still way short of the original four million target, now abandoned, that was to be hit by the end of the March.
There are still questions as to why more vaccines have not been administered, with 1.3 million doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca delivered from Europe so far. Half of that amount has been held back by the commonwealth for second doses, but some states, in particular Queensland, continue to face criticism that they are stockpiling and not administering their full allocation of vaccine.
AstraZeneca said on Thursday that its focus was now on local supply and declined to say when any further doses from Europe would be provided. Australia is pushing for AstraZeneca to urgently supply one million doses that Australia wants to send to PNG. The pharmaceutical giant was to have delivered 3.8 million doses in March, but only about 700,000 have arrived.
Olivia Caisley7.10pm: Sports rorts probe ‘obstructed’
A Senate committee scrutinising the $100m sports rorts saga — a scheme that claimed the scalp of former deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie — has lashed the commonwealth over its lack of transparency, declaring they faced “significant obstruction” in their attempts to gather evidence.
The Labor-controlled committee, chaired by Anthony Chisholm, concluded there was “overwhelming evidence” the government used the program to gain political advantage and called for projects that were recommended by Sport Australia but later missed out to receive retrospective funding.
“The evidence available to the committee indicates clearly the Prime Minister’s office, and likely the Prime Minister, were aware of the use of electorate information to identify projects in marginal and targeted electorates well before the first grant recipient was announced,” the majority report said.
But Coalition senators have used their dissenting report to argue the scheme was an “overwhelming success”, with the committee run as a “highly politicised and weaponised exercise” and a “charade” to peddle myths about how the scheme worked.
Rosie Lewis6.45pm:Nats pushed to back zero emissions ‘mechanism’
The National Party will be asked to “support mechanisms” to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 despite some federal MPs opposing the target. Read more here
Sarah Elks6.25pm:State put on notice over soaring debt
The Auditor-General has issued a warning to the Palaszczuk government as it struggles to recover from the Covid pandemic. Read more here
Agencies5.45pm:PNG shuts schools, limits movement amid Covid spike
Papua New Guinea will shut schools, limit non-essential movement and make mask-wearing mandatory in a bid to stop a dangerous surge in Covid-19 cases, the country’s pandemic controller told AFP on Thursday.
“All the schools in the country will shut down at the end of this week following a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases in the country,” Pandemic Controller David Manning said.
The government is expected to announce the measures to the public later on Thursday.
Papua New Guinea has reported more than 1,000 cases this month -- more than the total for the year before.
Experts fear the real total could be much higher, as testing levels remain low. The surge threatens to overwhelm the country’s already strained health sector.
Several doctors told AFP on Thursday that facilities had been forced to close or reduce capacity because staff had tested positive for the virus
— AFP
Wall Street Journal5.25pm:Fed tips fast recovery, stays rates course
Most officials expect to hold rates near zero through 2023, while also expecting recovery to gain steam. Read more here
John Durie4.53pm:How women can win from the budget
COMMENT
Tis the time of year for budget submissions for Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and one of the easiest for him to accept is from chief executive women to embed a gender lens in the budget and policy process and ensure gender balance in decision-making spaces and structures.
For a politician the logic in the Chief Executive Women paper is clear and on KPMG figures halving the present 10 per cent participation rate gap would add $60bn to GDP by 2038.
ABS figures show work age people in work or looking for are 61.2 per cent female and 71.2 per cent male.
Covid was tougher on women and government funding tended to go to male dominated sectors like construction, energy and manufacturing.
Women dominate sectors like retail, hospitality, tourism and healthcare were less supported and by way of example $1m spent on education will support 10.6 women and 4.3 men and everyone wants more spent on education.
By contrast every $1m spent in construction means one more male job and 0.2 female jobs.
Ben Packham4.47pm:PNG’s Ok Tedi mine suspends operations amid outbreak
Papua New Guinea’s Ok Tedi mine has suspended its operations for at least a fortnight to protect its workforce as a worsening COVID-19 outbreak sweeps the country.
The move, which will cost the company an estimated $76 million, comes as the PNG government prepares to announce a national isolation strategy which will commence on Monday.
Australia has already suspended charter flights to and from Ok Tedi, along with the rest of PNG.
Ok Tedi Mining Limited said it would repatriate its local workers to their home provinces and commence mass testing of employees.
“In light of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases at the mine site and in Papua New Guinea,
OTML will temporarily suspend operations for 14 days as of Friday March 19th to stop further transmission of the virus within its operations,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.
“A planned return to normal operations will be determined by the effectiveness of the control measures and when the spread of the virus has been contained.”
Scott Morrison closed the border to PNG on Wednesday and pledged an emergency airlift of 8000 vaccines to the country.
He also vowed to pressure AstraZenica and European authorities to speed up the delivery of one million COVID vaccines to the country already paid for by Australia.
READ MORE:Respect crucial as we move supplies and people to PNG
Paul Kiernan4.36pm:Fed tips fast recovery, stays course on rates
The Federal Reserve kept its easy-money policies in place and vowed to maintain them until the US economy recovers further from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, while officials also highlighted an improved outlook for growth.
“We will continue to provide the economy the support that it needs for as long as it takes,” Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said at a press conference Wednesday after the conclusion of a two-day policy meeting.
Central bankers voted unanimously to maintain overnight interest rates near zero, where they have been set for the past year, and to continue purchasing at least $US120bn of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities monthly. Mr Powell said the measures “will ensure that monetary policy will continue to deliver powerful support to the economy until the recovery is complete.”
Finn McHugh4.21pm:Who should watch out for vaccine reaction
People who have experienced anaphylactic reactions to vaccines are being urged to wait 30 minutes after receiving their COVID-19 vaccine, after Queensland rapidly shifted its advice.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath urged people who had previously experienced anaphylactic reactions to hold off on getting immunised on Wednesday, after the state reported four anaphylactic reactions.
But the state reverted its advice that evening, urging people who had previously suffered an allergic reaction to vaccines to stay back for 30 minutes, rather than the standard 15.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said official advice remained in place nationally, but rejected suggestions Queensland had undermined confidence in the vaccine by rapidly shifting its advice in a “panic”.
“I would say they were being cautious. There is no criticism from the commonwealth,” he said.
“We are pleased to see Queensland quickly able to adjust their advice after the TGA did their rapid review.
“We were able to solve it in a very short number of hours and provide the comfort and confidence.”
Paul Garvey4.01pm:McGowan appoints himself as WA treasurer
WA Premier Mark McGowan has appointed himself as treasurer followed his resounding election win.
Mr McGowan will fill the gap left by Ben Wyatt’s retirement, making him the first WA premier in 20 years to also serve as treasurer.
He had repeatedly refused to name Mr Wyatt’s successor during the election campaign.
His Health Minister and deputy, Roger Cook, and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti had been tipped as Mr Wyatt’s most likely successors. But both will keep their existing roles as Mr Cook manages the health response to the pandemic and Ms Saffioti coordinates the rollout of the government’s signature Metronet rail project.
Mr McGowan said his decision had been influenced by growing calls from eastern states for an end to WA’s GST deal.
The Morrison and McGowan governments had previously agreed to a floor in the GST distribution that will see WA retain at least 75c of every $1 in GST revenue it raises. Its share of the GST had previously been as low as 30c in the dollar.
“There is a groundswell of effort amongst the states in the east to unravel the GST deal. That groundswell is growing every single day,” he said.
Greg Brown 3.25pm:PM pours cold water on constitutional recognition
Scott Morrison says there is “no clear consensus” on a model for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians that would receive community support in a referendum, as he rules out backing a push to enshrine a “voice to parliament” in the nation’s birth certificate.
The Prime Minister has rejected a call from Indigenous leader Noel Pearson for constitutional recognition to be prioritised over legislation that would create an Indigenous advisory body, known as the voice to government.
With Indigenous leaders hoping Mr Morrison was willing to reverse his opposition to a constitutionally enshrined voice, the Prime Minister rejected the proposal and declared “it is not the government’s policy”.
“On the other issue of constitutional recognition, more broadly, then there is still no clear consensus proposal at this stage, which would suggest mainstream support in the Indigenous community or elsewhere,” Mr Morrison said at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday.
“What we are proceeding with is the co-design process that we set up that is seeking the best possible way to have that voice to government.”
Mr Morrison’s comments are likely to scupper an ambition from Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt for a referendum on Indigenous recognition to be held in this term of parliament.
READ the full story here
Adeshola Ore3.17pm: Morrison grilled over Porter’s duties
Labor has used question time to probe Scott Morrison on Attorney-General’s Christian Porter’s ministerial duties when he returns to parliament after medical leave at the end of the month.
The Prime Minister is seeking the advice of the Solicitor-General to ensure there is not a conflict of interest after Mr Porter launched Federal Court defamation proceedings against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan, claiming he had been subject to a malicious trial by media over coverage of a historic rape allegation against him.
Mr Morrison has already ruled out Mr Porter being involved in any ministerial duties related to the Federal Court or the ABC when he returns to avoid a conflict of interest.
During question time, opposition legal affairs spokesman Mark Dreyfus asked Mr Morrison if Mr Porter would maintain responsibility for defamation law.
Mr Morrison said he was awaiting legal advice from the Solicitor-General on the matter.
READ MORE: Deadline set for ABC’s truth defence
Ewin Hannan2.57pm: Senate passes gutted industrial relations bill
The Morrison government’s gutted industrial relations bill has passed the Senate after the Coalition dropped all its key elements except for casual employment changes.
The government move followed Senate crossbencher Stirling Griff revealing he would use his deciding vote to oppose employer-backed changes to enterprise bargaining, awards and greenfields agreements.
The government responded to Senator Griff’s decision by junking proposed wage theft laws, sparking condemnation from Labor and unions.
ACTU secretary Sally McManus accused the government of a “shameful and vindictive reaction” to failing to get support for changes that she said would reduce the right of workers.
“We have given the government a path forward with stronger laws on wage theft and better rights for casuals. If they will not give their support to these proposals, we call on the crossbench to oppose the bill,” she said.
READthe full story
Adeshola Ore 2.51pm: Labor ‘undermining review into rape allegations’
Scott Morrison has accused Labor of undermining the independence of the head of his department who is conducting an internal review about what his staff knew about the alleged 2019 rape of a former Liberal staffer.
The Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and the Prime Minister’s former chief of staff Cabinet Phil Gaetjens is investigating what staff in Mr Morrison’s office knew about the alleged rape and when they were made aware of the information. The Prime Minister has refused to guarantee that he will make the report public.
During question time on Thursday, opposition women’s spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek asked Mr Morrison if his chief of staff or principal private secretary had been interviewed as part of the investigation.
Mr Morrison responded that the scope of the investigation was a matter for Mr Gaetjens and said if he was involved it would be “highly inappropriate”.
“I would invite the Leader of the Opposition and the member opposite to accord our department’s secretaries the respect to which they are entitled,” he said.
“It’s been done at an arm’s length from me. I have no involvement in that process, nor should I.”
John Durie2.24pm: Shipton set to make return to Parliament
Acting ASIC chair James Shipton will make his return to Parliament on Friday after standing down last October pending a review of his tax advice before taking on the job.
Mr Shipton was cleared of any wrong doing and returned in late January on the understanding he would step aside when a replacement was found.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has indicated this would happen by the end of April.
Contenders for the top job include former Financial Services Authority and PwC executive Magaret Cole whose husband Graeme Cooke was appointed Victoria’s chief vet last year.
Issues for the PJC committee under new chair Andrew Wallace include buy Now Pay Later, the ASX and responsible lending laws.
The full ASIC executive will appear at the hearings which is noteworthy given deputy chair Karen Chester has operated effectively in Mr Shipton’s absence.
READ MORE: Red light for Canberra’s top jobs
Adeshola Ore 2.03pm:ALP preselects Snowden replacement for NT seat
Northern Territory’s former chief minister Marion Scrymgour will be endorsed as Labor’s candidate for the seat of Lingiari at the next federal election.
Anthony Albanese said Ms Scrymgour was a “committed community leader” and a “formidable addition to the Labor team.”
“Marion was preselected with overwhelming support in a rank and file ballot of the Northern Territory Australian Labor Party,” the Opposition Leader said in a statement.
Ms Scrymgour will replace retiring MP Warren Snowdon who in December announced he would leave politics after more than two decades in parliament.
READ MORE: Shock development with ‘border jumpers’
Adeshola Ore1.50pm: Vaccine rollout to GPs ahead of schedule: Hunt
Health Minister Greg Hunt says the federal government is “ahead of schedule” for delivering COVID vaccine doses to GP and commonwealth clinics ahead of the next phase of rollout which begins on Monday.
It comes after the launch of the government’s COVID vaccine online booking system failed to operate on the day of its launch, with doctors’ surgeries caught off-guard by an overwhelming number of inquiries.
Phase 1b will focus on vaccinating six million Australians including older people and those with underlying medical conditions. From Monday, 1,000 GP clinics will be involved in vaccine administration.
Mr Hunt said by the end of today 870 clinics will have received their vaccine doses.
“Over the course of tomorrow, over 300 more clinics will receive their vaccines and that is a combination of the GP clinics and the Commonwealth vaccination clinics,” he said.
Mr Hunt said more than 22,000 vaccines had been administered in the past twenty-four hours.
The government expects more than 240,000 Australians will have been inoculated by the end of today.
READ MORE: PM better at foreign policy than Keating or Rudd
Adeshola Ore 1.43pm:Privacy protections security for workplace review
Scott Morrison says he hopes privacy protections for Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ review into federal parliament’s workplace culture will encourage current and former staff to come forward to participate in the inquiry.
A bipartisan group of political staffers sent a letter to the Prime Minister and Anthony Albanese asking that submissions to the inquiry be confidential and unable to be obtained under freedom of information.
Mr Morrison said the government had agreed with the opposition to pass legislation to ensure the review could not be accessed under the Freedom of Information or Archives Act.
“That is a measure that should hopefully provide that comfort and provide that security for people to do that,” he said.
“That is what is agreed between the parties … I hope we will be able to deal with that fairly expeditiously today and give people that confidence.”
Ellie Dudley1.39pm:NZ teases: travel bubble ‘around the corner’
New Zealand authorities have hinted the “Trans-tasman travel bubble” with Australia could be just around the corner.
While Australia’s border has remained mostly open to New Zealand since October, with only a few short suspensions during Auckland’s outbreaks, New Zealand has delayed returning the favour.
New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, however, has said the two-way bubble will commence soon.
“We were working towards a joint framework, a joint set of protocols, but actually I don’t think we’re too far off being able to create the New Zealand version to match up with the Australian version,” he told Radio New Zealand (RNZ).
There are still a few issues to be ironed out, such as how the countries would handle fresh outbreaks, Mr Robertson said.
Plans are in place to have the bubble in place by the end of April, RNZ reported.
READ MORE: New travel bubbles on the cards
Adeshola Ore 1.27pm: More job initiatives if IR bill fails: PM
Scott Morrison says the federal government will introduce more “ job-making initiatives” if it cannot push its industrial relations bill through the Senate.
The Morrison government has scrapped wage theft provisions from its gutted industrial relations bill. The amendments followed senate crossbencher Stirling Griff revealing he would use his deciding vote to oppose employer-backed changes to enterprise bargaining, awards and greenfields agreements.
“If this Senate is saying they don’t wish to support those measures, then we will have to consider that in terms of how we go forward,” Mr Morrison said.
“I will send them other things to approve. I will send them other job-making initiatives they can support.”
“If they don’t want to support these job-making initiatives, that is on them.”
READ MORE:EU ‘a dictatorship’ on vaccine supplies
Ellie Dudley 1.18pm: Police commissioner continues to push consent app
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has continued to back his suggestion for an app to control sexual consent, labelling it “an avenue to bring clarity and respect to women.”
The state’s top police officer has proposed using technology such as an app to record consent for sexual activity in order to combat rising sex assaults as he declared consent can “no longer be implied”, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The app would allow users to enter their name and age, and accept a consent request from the person they are having intercourse with.
While the suggestion has been widely criticised today, Mr Fuller said he is glad the app has “brought up” the issue of consent.
“The app has at least brought this issue up, and people are talking about it,” he told reporters this afternoon.
“It’s about starting a conversation about what’s acceptable.”
He said the app would “keep people out of the justice system” quashing the assumption the app would be put in place to increase convictions of sexual assault.
“I would hope the app stops matters going to the justice system,” he said, adding that it would be a preventative measure.
Mr Fuller added: “We may never talk about the app again, but I hope we do talk about consent again.”
Adeshola Ore 1.13pm:‘Remarkable’: More jobs now than before pandemic
Scott Morrison says it is “remarkable” that there are now more jobs in Australia than before the COVID pandemic.
The latest job figures released today showed the country’s unemployment rate dropped from 6.3 per cent to 5.8 per cent in February, with 88,700 news jobs created in the month.
“There are now more jobs in the Australian economy than there were before the pandemic,” the Prime Minister said.
“That is something that is truly remarkable and is a great credit to every Australian who hung in there, every Australian business who kept people in jobs.”
Mr Morrison said caution was still needed despite the “incredibly encouraging” employment data.
“There are more hours still needed. There is still a lot more to do, particularly for young people and even though the youth unemployment rate has pleasingly fallen, there is still a distance to travel,” he said.
Josh Frydenberg said the “resilience” of the Australian economy was demonstrated through today’s job figures.
“What is particularly pleasing in these numbers is that of that 88,700 jobs, all of them were full-time. More than 80 per cent went to women,” the Treasurer said.
“There is a light at the end of the tunnel. But, the months from here will continue to be challenging because we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and the greatest economic shock since the Great Depression.”
“There are sectors, there are regions across the country who continue to do it tough, but these numbers are encouraging and these numbers give Australians confidence about their economic future.”
READ MORE: Durie — How women can win from the budget
EWIN HANNAN12.50pm: Coalition bid to ram through gutted IR bill
The Morrison government has scrapped wage theft provisions from its gutted industrial relations bill, leaving only casual employment changes which it is seeking to get passed before question time.
The government amendments follow Senate crossbencher Stirling Griff revealing he would use his deciding vote to oppose employer-backed changes to enterprise bargaining, awards and greenfields agreements.
ACTU secretary Sally McManus accused the government of a “shameful and vindictive reaction” to failing to get support for changes that she said would reduce the right of workers.
“We have given the government a path forward with stronger laws on wage theft and better rights for casuals. If they will not give their support to these proposals, we call on the crossbench to oppose the bill,” she said.
Acting Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash told the Senate the stripped down bill would provide greater certainty for casuals and small business.
Senator Griff’s earlier support for the bill’s wage compliance and casual employment provisions was conditional on the government accepting amendments.
Robyn Ironside 12.19pm:Airline staff win seven-month wage support reprieve
More than 8000 airline employees unable to work because of international border closures have won a seven-month extension of wage support, which the federal government said was “entirely different’’ to JobKeeper.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce provided details of the $500 a week “direct support payment” to employees at a town-hall meeting in Sydney on Thursday.
He described the allowance as the “centrepiece” of the federal government’s $1.2bn aviation support package designed to help airlines survive until the COVID vaccine rollout is complete.
Only Australian-based employees stood down due to the lack of international flying are expected to be eligible for the payment which will continue until borders reopen, tipped to occur in late October.
Qantas and Jetstar have about 7500 workers from their international operations who are likely to be paid the allowance, and 1100 Virgin Australia employees may also be eligible.
The government package also included support to activate aircraft including A330s, Boeing 787s and 737s through training for crews to ensure their safe return to service.
The wide-body A330s, normally used for international routes, will be put on domestic services including Sydney and Melbourne to Cairns from late March.
The support was not extended to Qantas’ A380 fleet which is not slated for a return to service until November 2023.
Australian and International Pilots Association president Murray Butt welcomed the announcement of the weekly allowance as “positive news” but said there was still much detail yet to be finalised.
“It’s sort of a continuation of JobKeeper for international crew who are still stood down,” said Captain Butt.
READ the full story here
Matthew Denholm 12.08pm:Staffer moved to avoid scrutiny: accuser
A federal Liberal staffer who resigned for allegedly verbally abusing Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor was a “sexist pig” moved from job to job to avoid scrutiny, his accuser has told state parliament.
Andrew Hudgson resigned overnight as media adviser to federal Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar, after Ms O’Connor raised allegations in state parliament.
In an adjournment debate speech late on Wednesday, Ms O’Connor, under parliamentary privilege, named Mr Hudgson as a “sexist pig of a man” known for repeatedly making inappropriate comments to, and about, women.
READ the full story here
Ellie Dudley11.56am:‘No surprise’: Berejiklian repeats offer to step up jabs
Gladys Berejiklian has said she isn’t surprised by Wednesday’s vaccine registration bungle, in her latest swipe at the federal government’s questionable roll out.
The NSW Premier has been requesting more transparency from the Morrison government in regards to the allocation of doses among the states, as well as putting NSW’s hand up to help more people get the jab at a faster rate.
“What is occurring now isn’t a surprise to me or the NSW government. [Reaching the vaccine targets] will not happen in the current program,” she told a press conference this morning.
“We need to be able to step up our involvement in the program.”
NSW have vaccinated around 45,000 residents “on our own” according to Ms Berejiklian, in addition to the vaccines administered in the federal government-controlled aged care facility roll out.
“But, we need to have everybody on board — all the GPs, pharmacists and all of the 100 NSW health hubs as well, or else we won’t hit the target,” she said.
“I also appreciate the challenge with doses. There has been a challenge with the supply chain globally.
“I want to commend the federal government for securing the local supply of the vaccine, that gives me confidence in reaching the targets.”
READ MORE: Crossbencher forces IR bill to be split or delayed
David Rogers 11.52am: Dollar, bond yields rise on jobs data
The Australian dollar and bond yields rose after much stronger than expected jobs data.
AUD/USD rose from 0.7817 to a more than 2-week high of 0.7836.
The 10-year bond yield rose from 1.746 to a 3-day high of 1.776pc.
Shares were little changed with the S&P/ASX down 0.2pc at 6782.
FOLLOWlive markets updates at Trading Day
Rosie Lewis11.47am: ‘Tired of fighting’: Flint’s plea to trolls
An emotional Nicolle Flint has appealed to online trolls to “stop” their abuse of her after she accused senior Labor MPs of failing to condemn the bullying, sexism and stalking against her during last year’s federal election campaign.
Ms Flint, the Liberal member for the South Australian seat of Boothby, has announced she will not contest the next election.
“I have tried not to cry during my speeches and during TV and radio interviews I’ve done and at times I’ve failed and I’ll probably fail now,” she told the Federation Chamber.
“As a woman I get angry at myself for doing this but as I wrote in my opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald today, I’m tired of the political fight, I’m tired of pretending to be brave, I’m tired of having to defend the fact I’m a woman and yet here I am having to fight and defend myself again.
“The online abuse, trolling, victim shaming and blaming, the complete denial of things I have suffered during my time in parliament, what has been aimed at me over the past 48 hours is disgusting and those involved should be ashamed.”
Ms Flint singled out a tweet from Saturday Paper columnist Paul Bongiorno who said GetUp’s “excellent interview” on ABC radio on Thursday “exposes the politically motivated smear campaign being mounted by a couple of Liberal women as a distraction from their own government’s manifest failures with gender equity and sexual abuse”.
READ the full story here
Patrick Commins 11.30am: Latest unemployment figure drops to 5.8pc
The unemployment rate plunged from 6.4 per cent to 5.8 per cent in February, as the economy added a further 88,700 jobs – smashing expectations of a much more sedate lift in employment.
Employment increased to 13,006,900, and is now higher that its pre-COVID peak of 13,003,900 a year earlier, the seasonally adjusted figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed.
But underemployment lifted to 8.5 per cent in February, from 8.1 per cent in the month before.
Full-time employment increased by 89,100, while part-time employment decreased by 500.
Monthly hours worked surged 6.1 per cent after a steep fall in January as a higher than usual number of Australians took holidays.
The participation rate was steady at 66.1 per cent.
The consensus among private sector economists was for a 30,000 lift in employment and for the jobless measure to tick lower to 6.3 per cent.
Josh Frydenberg has warned of a “rough couple of months” when JobKeeper ends, with economists estimating the end of the scheme this month will trigger job losses of around 100,000.
But the Reserve Bank, Treasury and private sector economists expect the impact from the end of the wage subsidy will be temporary, and that the jobless rate will continue fall over the second half of the year.
Citi economists this week estimated unemployment would drop to 5.7 per cent by the end of 2021, before falling to 5.1 per cent by the close of 2022.
READ MORE: Business backs lift in childcare leave
David Rogers11.22am: Estimates for 30,000 rise in jobs numbers
Bloomberg’s consensus estimates are for a 30,000 rise in jobs and a 6.3pc unemployment rate, based on an unchanged participation rate of 6.1pc.
An unemployment rate in line with the market consensus would be the lowest jobless rate since March 2020.
NAB is looking for a 50,000 rise in jobs – taking the number of jobs to just 0.1pc below pre-pandemic levels – and a 6.2pc jobless rate.
However, the unemployment rate may jump a bit in coming months after the end of the JobKeeper wages subsidy this month.
READ MORE: JobKeeper lines corporate pockets
Ellie Dudley 11.12am: NSW records zero new local virus cases
NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 yesterday, and three in overseas arrivals.
There have been no new cases of local transmission associated with the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, following the identification of three genomically linked cases involving a security guard and two returned travellers.
NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of #COVID19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) March 18, 2021
Three new cases were acquired overseas, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,062. pic.twitter.com/PlGKUoQM0C
Investigations continue into the relationship between the cases, and if there was any breach in quarantine.
Any close contacts of the security guard have tested negative to date and will continue to self-isolate for 14 days.
NSW Health is now treating 48 active cases.
READ MORE: Berejiklian hit over $5bn shortfall
Sarah Elks 10.42am:Palaszczuk backs giving AstraZeneca warning
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has backed her Health Minister for issuing warnings about the AstraZeneca jab, despite the state advice being swiftly contradicted by federal authorities.
Ms Palaszczuk, speaking in Port Douglas in far north Queensland, said Yvette D’Ath had done an “early morning press conference” yesterday and was acting transparently when she told people there were “initial concerns” about four anaphylactic reactions in 48 hours.
On Wednesday at an 10am press conference, Ms D’Ath and her director-general John Wakefield said people with histories of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis should delay getting the AstraZeneca jab.
However, this was contradicted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and the Queensland advice was changed.
“I commend Yvette D’Ath for doing that,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“This is being commonwealth-led…there’s no reason for alarm, I fully support that, and people with those severe allergies should just talk to their GPs and make sure their GP knows.”
“The TGA came out and made definitive advice yesterday, they’re the proper people to do that.”
“Early in the morning there were some initial concerns…I back what she said (and) we fully support the vaccine rollout.”
Overnight, Queensland identified another eight COVID-19 cases in hotel quarantine. All were overseas acquired, six of which are believed to have been from Papua New Guinea.
READ MORE: Business needs to lead way on post-Covid growth
Adeshola Ore 10.36am: 100 clinics to ease vaccination booking chaos
Health Minister Greg Hunt has defended the launch of the government’s COVID vaccine booking system after it was plagued by issues on the day of its launch.
On Wednesday, there was confusion surrounding how eligible patients could book appointments at GP clinics to get a COVID-19 vaccine, with the national booking platform failing to operate as doctors and surgeries were caught off-guard by an overwhelming number of inquiries.
Asked by the ABC about GP’s clinics being “overwhelmed” by people calling for appointments, Mr Hunt said “I respectfully disagree with the categorisation.”
Mr Hunt also pointed to 100 commonwealth vaccination clinics that would come online today for vaccination bookings.
“That’s a very important addition. And they’ll have, on average, close to a thousand vaccines a week and so that expands the capacity very significantly,” he said.
The Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of GPs called for “urgent clarity” in the booking system for COVID-19 vaccinations in a joint statement, saying GP clinics had been inundated with inquiries from patients who they were unable to book in for vaccinations.
READ MORE: Doctors angry as jab booking portal fails
Adeshola Ore10.10am: Super access ‘terrific’ for fleeing women
Superannuation Minister Jane Hume has defended a controversial initiative that would allow domestic violence victims fleeing abusers to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation, after Scott Morrison flagged it could be dumped.
The government has begun working on measures unveiled as part of the first Women’s Economic Security Statement by then women’s minister Kelly O’Dwyer in 2018, as allegations of gendered sexual assault and harassment engulf both sides of politics. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister said the proposal was “under review” and cited “various concerns” from various stakeholder groups.
Senator Hume said the policy had been around “for a number of years” and was “backed by industry at the time.”
“It would be a terrific opportunity to be able to help women that are fleeing a violent relationship by allowing them to access a small amount of their savings,” she told the ABC.
But she conceded that making sure there are “safeguards” for the policy is “not an easy task.”
READ MORE: Super access for abuse escapees ‘under review’
Sarah Elks 9.44am:Queensland backflips on AstraZeneca advice
The Queensland government has reversed its health advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine, telling people with histories of severe allergies and anaphylactic reactions not to delay getting the jab.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath and her director-general John Wakefield yesterday said those who had a history of severe allergic reactions to vaccines should delay getting the AstraZeneca needle, after four serious adverse reactions in 48 hours.
But that has changed after advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
“Queensland has updated its Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccination guidelines, following advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) late yesterday,” a Queensland Health spokesman said.
“Following four serious adverse reaction events in 48 hours, Queensland Health asked patients with a history of severe allergy to delay vaccinations.”
“Safety is, and must be, our first priority.”
“Yesterday afternoon we received updated advice, following the TGA’s initial review and a meeting between the TGA and our Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young.”
“The AstraZeneca vaccine will continue to be administered as per the TGA and ATAGI guidelines.”
“Eligible people with a history of severe allergic reactions can be vaccinated but should be monitored for 30 minutes after receiving the AZ vaccine.”
Adeshola Ore 9.38am: Staffer should have quit earlier: Lambie
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie says the resignation of a Morrison government media adviser, who allegedly used a “vile insult” against the state’s Greens leader, should have happened sooner.
The Liberal staffer Andrew Hudgson resigned after being accused in the Tasmanian parliament of calling Greens leader Cassy O’Connor a “meth-head C…’’ in 2019. After working in state politics, Mr Hudgson became an adviser to federal Assistant Treasurer and Housing Minister Michael Sukkar.
On Wednesday evening, Ms O’Connor used parliamentary privilege to describe the staffer as a “sexist pig’’ over the insult he directed at her while working for then Tasmanian premier Will Hodgman.
“They [the Premier’s officer] did an investigation, but as per usual this is what happens when you leave investigations in-house. It is shocking,” Senator Lambie told Sky News.
“Action should have been taken early on, not to him just moved on and moved up through the federal Liberal Party.”
A Morrison government spokesman said Mr Hudgson had been asked to resign after the incident was raised by Ms O’Connor in the Tasmanian parliament. The government had been unaware of the allegations until they were raised in the speech.
READ MORE: Shanahan — Double-edged sword cuts both ways
Nicola Berkovic 9.30am: Deadline set for ABC’s truth defence in Porter case
The ABC and journalist Louise Milligan will have until May 4 to decide whether to argue that rape allegations made against Attorney-General Christian Porter are true.
Mr Porter’s legal team has publicly challenged the public broadcaster to try to rely on a truth defence – warning that the Attorney-General is prepared to take the witness stand to deny allegations he raped a 16-year-old in 1988 when he was 17.
Federal Court judge Jayne Jagot on Wednesday ordered Mr Porter to provide better details of his case by Tuesday. The ABC has agreed to provide its defence six weeks after that.
The parties will appear in court for the first time on May 14.
The ABC will likely try to argue its article published on February 26, which did not name Mr Porter, was defensible because it acted reasonably in reporting on a government or political matter. It will have to show it did not suppress material that cast doubt on the woman’s rape accusation and that it was reasonable not to put the allegations directly to Mr Porter before publication.
Remy Varga 8.58am: Family violence jumps 9pc to record highs in Victoria
Rates of family violence in Victoria jumped nine per cent over the pandemic, representing a larger than forecast increase.
According to figures compiled by the Crime Statistics Agency, rates of domestic violence within metropolitan Melbourne surpassed those of regional Victoria.
“This study found that the actual average monthly numbers for family incidents were higher than forecasted and the numbers of current partner and parent/child relationships in family incidents was higher than forecasted,” the CSA said.
Melbourne was under lockdown for 111-days.
Family incidents increased 9.4 per cent in the last 12 months to the highest on record at 92,521 incidents
Excluding COVID-19 breaches, there was an 8 per cent decrease in offences reported to police in the year ending December 2020, with reports falling from 538,454 to 497,704.
There were 37,505 offences recorded by police for public health breaches of COVID-19 Chief Health Officer Directions.
More than 90 per cent of the nearly 26,500 offenders were fined with one in five repeat offenders.
Property and deception offences fell by 12 per cent but the introduction of public health laws saw the number of alleged offender incidents increase by 29.1% over the last 12 months.
CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said that “changes in mobility and everyday activity during COVID-19 restrictions have influenced crime trends, with decreases recorded in steal from a retail store and other property related offences, while the introduction of new COVID-19-related offences have seen an increase in alleged offenders processed by Victoria Police.
Victoria Police deputy commissioner Rick Nugent and Assistant Minister Danny Pearson are due to speak on the new figures at 9am on Thursday.
READ MORE: Fees targeted in sweeping family law reform
Ellie Dudley8.47am: Covid-sceptic Tanzanian president dies aged 61
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has died aged 61, the country’s vice-president has announced.
He died on Wednesday from heart complications at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Samia Suluhu Hassan announced.
For the past year, Mr Magulfuli had played down the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic saying tests in the national laboratory were “sabotaged”, although the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said the tests were reliable.
He also revealed he secretly had a variety of items tested for the virus — of which a papaya, a quail and a goat apparently tested positive.
Opposition politicians said last week that he had contracted COVID-19, but this has not been confirmed.
Rumours had been circulating about Mr Magulfuli’s health after the public had not seen him for two weeks.
“It is with deep regret that I inform you that today … we lost our brave leader, the president of the Republic of Tanzania, John Pombe Magufuli,” Vice-President Hassan said in the announcement.
Tanzania last gave case figures in April last year.
The country will have 14 days of national mourning and flags will fly at half-mast, Ms Hassain said.
READ MORE: Trump tells his fans to get jabs
Ellie Dudley 8.37am: ‘Be patient’: GPs urge calm over vaccine bookings
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging patients not to take their frustrations out on general practice receptionists and administrative staff over vaccine appointments.
Confusion surrounded how eligible patients can book appointments at GP clinics to get a COVID-19 vaccine yesterday, with a national booking platform failing to operate and doctors’ surgeries caught off-guard by an overwhelming number of inquiries.
RACGP President Karen Price has told patients to be patient towards GP staff during “challenging circumstances”.
“I understand that patients are eager to receive their vaccination and that is positive news; however, I plead with all people to please be respectful when speaking to receptionists and administrative staff managing this huge volume of calls about vaccines on top of their day-to-day presentations,” she said.
“They are doing their best in very challenging circumstances. It may be a frustrating experience, but if you are kept on hold for an extended period or told that a booking can’t be made yet due to uncertainty about when vaccine supplies will be delivered, my message is simple – please be patient.”
She also called on greater support from the federal government.
“Issues concerning the online booking system must be resolved as quickly as possible. The RACGP is keenly aware of concerns regarding the integration of software systems and how this is affecting the ability of people to book their vaccine appointment online,” she said.
“It is vital that the government resolves this issue promptly to make the booking process straightforward for patients and the RACGP looks forward to assisting in any way.”
READ MORE: PNG step-up a priority as China lurks
EWIN HANNAN8.29am: Griff opposes key planks of Coalition’s IR bill
Key Senate crossbencher Stirling Griff is opposing key sections of the Coalition’s industrial relations bill, including changes to enterprise bargaining and awards.
Senator Griff’s position put in a letter to the government means the Coalition will not get its existing bill through the Senate on Thursday and will have to split the bill or delay a vote.
The government needs his vote to get the bill passed.
Senator Griff is supporting the union-backed wage compliance provisions and wants amendments giving casuals access to arbitration when seeking conversion to permanent employment.
But he is opposing the bill’s schedules on enterprise bargaining, awards and greenfields agreements on major projects.
Employers were holding urgent talks to decide whether they will call on the government to break up the bill and try to get through the casual and wage compliance schedules.
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie says she has not seen One Nation’s amendments to the government’s industrial relations bill, as the Coalition scrambles to pass the legislation.
“We’ll be looking at them in my office this morning and waiting to see whether or not there’s contact from the Liberal Party,” she told Sky News.
“God only knows what’s going to happen in the next few hours”
READ MORE: One vote needed to get IR laws over the line
Ellie Dudley8.22am:UK vaccinates 25.2 million people
The United Kingdom has vaccinated more than 25.2 million people — almost the equivalent of the entire population of Australia — in just 100 days.
The nation’s health minister Matt Hancock said the UK’s rollout of COVID-19 jabs was a “huge team effort” by the health department, the vaccine taskforce and the National Health Service.
“It’s been an awful lot of people pulling together to make it happen,” he told a news conference.
Anyone of the age of 50 in the UK is now eligible to receive the jab, as Mr Hancock said Britain will do what it can “to secure the supplies contractually committed to protecting people in this country.”
The UK will aim to have all adults be eligible for the jab by the end of July.
READ MORE: Doctors angry as jab booking portal fails
Rosie Lewis8.16am:Staffer resigns over ‘meth-head’ accusation
A Morrison government media adviser has resigned shortly after being accused in the Tasmanian parliament of calling Greens leader Cassy O’Connor a “meth-head C…’’ in 2019.
Ms O’Connor used parliamentary privilege to describe the staffer, Andrew Hudgson, as a “sexist pig’’ over the jibe which was directed at her while he was working for then Tasmanian premier Will Hodgman.
A Morrison government spokesman said Mr Hudgson had been asked to resign after the incident was raised by Ms O’Connor in the Tasmanian parliament. The government had been unaware of the allegations until they were raised in the speech.
The resignation comes after pressure on the government over its treatment of women shifted to Labor after a series of sexual assault and harassment allegations from a private Facebook group for staff was published and Liberal MP Nicolle Flint accused senior members of the ALP of failing to condemn her being “chased, harassed and screamed at” by GetUp, Labor and union supporters during the 2019 election campaign.
READ the full story here
Perry Williams8.07am: Jobs at risk in South32 mine stoush
Thousands of jobs could be axed after a bid by mining giant South32 to discuss reworking a rejected extension of its Illawarra metallurgical coal mine was rebuffed by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The company’s Dendrobium mine is due to run out in 2024 and a plan to extend its life by several decades was rejected by the Independent Planning Commission last month over risks to Sydney’s water catchment.
Coal from the mine covers about two-thirds of supplies for BlueScope’s Port Kembla steel mill, meaning its closure could threaten the viability of the steel facility by forcing a move to imports of the fuel.
South32 has been urgently requesting meetings with Ms Berejiklian and Planning Minister Rob Stokes to discuss an alternate $1bn mine plan, but said the high-profile politicians had declined talks.
“The feedback is there’s a lot on their plate — and they get a lot of requests,” South32 chief executive Graham Kerr told The Australian. “But we need to understand from the government how they see the options. From our perspective, this regulatory uncertainty with $1bn on the table is frustrating.”
Ellie Dudley8.03am:Victoria records zero coronavirus cases
Victoria has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 in the community or in overseas arrivals.
A total of 21,290 tests were conducted in the 24 hours to midnight yesterday, leaving the state with two active cases.
Yesterday there were no new cases reported. 21,290 test results were received. Thank you to everyone who got tested - #EveryTestHelps.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) March 17, 2021
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl0ZEco#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/EEZMt4XhE1
READ MORE: Editorial — Containing virus half the battle as rollout draws fire
Greg Brown7.45am:Pearson raises the stakes on Indigenous voice
Noel Pearson says legislation to establish an Indigenous voice to parliament should be drafted and then set aside, arguing that a referendum to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution should be held before the indigenous advisory body is created.
Mr Pearson, the leader of the Cape York Partnership, said the nation was “incomplete” without constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians in a landmark address in which he ramped up demands for the government to reverse its opposition to a constitutionally enshrined “voice to parliament”.
Mr Pearson’s intervention will reinforce to Aboriginal leaders that Indigenous recognition in the Constitution should be their main priority ahead of a legislated voice to government.
In his address on Wednesday night, Mr Pearson lamented the failure of the political class to achieve constitutional recognition for Indigenous people, noting it had been proposed 14 years ago by John Howard ahead of the 2007 election.
He said constitutional recognition would “bequeath to our children a commonwealth that accords a rightful place to its original peoples”.
READ Noel Pearson’s full commentary, Recognition will make this nation whole, here
Ellie Dudley7am:Plibersek slams government over vaccine booking failures
Tanya Plibersek has condemned the federal government’s handling of the vaccination rollout, after the national vaccine booking platform failed to operate on the day of its launch yesterday.
The online platform was not allowing anyone to book in for vaccinations, with GP clinics forced to tell frustrated patients that they did not know when they would be able to make an appointment.
“It is not the fault of the GP clinic staff that this is poorly organised,” the Opposition spokeswoman for women told Channel 9’s Today.
“Sadly, the Federal Government stuffed up aged care and they have stuffed up our borders and stuffed up the COVID tracing app.
“This vaccine rollout is too important to stuff up. They need to really double down and get it right now.”
Ms Plibersek also flagged problems with NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller’s proposal for an app to record consent for sexual activity in a bid to combat sexual assault. Of the 15,000 reports of sexual assault made in NSW last year, convictions were recorded in just 2 per cent.
A “consent app” would see users enter their name and age and accept a request from the person with whom they are having intercourse.
However, Ms Plibersek said that would not protect people who changed their mind.
“Consent can be withdrawn at any time,” she said.
“The fact that you have signed up in the beginning doesn’t mean that you are up for everything that your partner suggests.
“We need to change our legal system to stop rapists walking around our streets.”
READ MORE:Doctors angry as jab booking portal fails
Ellie Dudley6.30am:Tokyo Olympics director steps down in ‘Olympic’ scandal
The Tokyo Olympics director plans to step down, after he suggested a female entertainer dress as a pig and descend from the ceiling for the opening ceremony, Japanese media reports.
In the latest setback for the troubled games, Hiroshi Sasaki suggested performer Naomi Watanabe be lowered from the sky dressed in a swine costume in a segment called “Olympig”, Kyodo news agency reported.
Mr Sasaki has since apologised to Ms Waranabe, but offered his resignation to Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto.
Tokyo 2020 creative chief likely to quit over 'Olympig' pitch featuring plus-size celeb Naomi Watanabe https://t.co/HGWz2D5ecK
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) March 17, 2021
“There was a very inappropriate expression in my ideas and remarks,” Mr Sasaki wrote in a statement, according to Kyodo.
“I sincerely apologise to her and people who have felt discomfort with such contents.”
A decision on whether international spectators will be permitted to attend the games will be made by the end of March, the International Olympic Committee has said.
Most Japanese people do not want international visitors to attend the events amid fears that a large influx of travellers would spark a resurgence of coronavirus infections, a Japanese newspaper survey showed.
The poll showed 77 per cent of respondents were against allowing foreign spectators to attend.
Creative Director of #Tokyo2020, Hiroshi Sasaki, suggested dressing up 🇯🇵’s plus-sized celebrity, Naomi Watanabe, as a pig for the opening ceremony and call it “OlymPigâ€. I want to cry.
— Mariko Oi 大井真ç†å (@BBCMarikoOi) March 17, 2021
h/t @yukokato1701https://t.co/oQ0BE1E6Hr
READ MORE:Hockeyroos bombshell — coach quits amid ‘toxic culture’ claims
Jacquelin Magnay5.20am:Vaccine wars may block more exports to Australia
Australia could face further delays of imported vaccines in the coming months after Europe engaged in “undemocratic brinkmanship” and intensified the “vaccine wars” overnight (AEDT).
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen escalated her threats that Europe would safeguard vaccines made in Europe solely for Europeans, insisting “this is about making sure that Europe gets its fair share” during what she called “the crisis of the century”.
She said the recent blockage of the vaccine to Australia would not be a one-off.
We will continue to work so that Europe gets its fair share.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 17, 2021
We will invest even further in Europe’s production capacities, beyond this acute phase.
And we will ensure long-term supply, with trusted companies. pic.twitter.com/HqVrAbVn5v
Mrs von der Leyen has even refused to rule out invoking an even more dramatic measure, the emergency Article 122, which would allow the European Union to seize all vaccine factory production, waive intellectual property rights and patents as well as imposing export bans.
“All options are on the table,’’ Mrs von der Leyen said.
“We are in the crisis of the century and I am not ruling out anything for now. We have to make sure that Europeans are vaccinated as soon as possible.”
British politicians immediately rebuked Mrs von der Leyen. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab alluded that the EU was engaging in undemocratic brinkmanship. Other Tory MPs criticised the EU as acting like a communist entity.
British foreign minister Dominic Raab accused the European Commission of brinkmanship over its threat to ban exports of COVID-19 vaccines, calling for Commission head Ursula von der Leyen to explain her comments.​ https://t.co/QA5vYkIDzJ
— Reuters Health (@Reuters_Health) March 17, 2021
Read the full story here.
Simon Benson5am:ASIO unearths foreign ‘nest of spies’: Mike Burgess
ASIO has cracked a major foreign espionage network operating in Australia that successfully recruited a government official with security access to classified defence technology, in what the security agency has described as a “nest of spies”.
The spies also groomed current and former politicians, officials of an unnamed state police service, and sought access to sensitive security protocols for a major airport via a public servant.
The spy ring, which was uncovered last year, was disclosed on Wednesday night in the annual threat assessment delivered by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation director-general Mike Burgess, who has ordered dozens of foreign agents be removed from the country.
Read the full story, by Simon Benson and Geoff Chambers, here.
Ewin Hannan4.45am:One vote needed to get IR bill over the line
The Morrison government is scrambling to win over Centre Alliance crossbencher Stirling Griff and secure the one vote needed to pass its industrial relations bill.
The government moved closer to legislating the changes on Wednesday after One Nation signalled support for the workplace reforms with only minor amendments, igniting union fury.
With the government pushing to have the bill voted on as early as today, Senator Griff said Centre Alliance had not yet decided whether to support or oppose every schedule of the bill.
Read the full story here.
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