PoliticsNow: Defence readies for coronavirus response role
Chief of Defence Angus Campbell has refused to be drawn on whether the ADF may be required to use force.
- Government will use powers to enforce isolation
- Iran travellers ‘required to self-isolate’
- Albo — Govt ‘has secrecy at heart’
- PM forges ahead with bushfire relief
- What’s making news in Canberra
Hello and welcome to PoliticsNow, The Australian’s live blog on the happenings at Parliament House in Canberra. As the number of coronavirus cases in Australia grows, Chief of Defence Angus Campbell says the ADF is working on plans to support civilian agencies in the national coronavirus response. Health Minister Greg Hunt has told anyone who arrived in Australia from Iran after February 19 to self-isolate in their own homes.
Ben Packham 4.53pm: Defence set for coronavirus role
Chief of Defence Angus Campbell says the ADF is working on plans to support civilian agencies in the national coronavirus response, but declined to reveal details of the extent of the plans for fear of alarming citizens.
General Campbell told Senate estimates he was satisfied Defence had sufficient legislative powers for whatever role it would play.
He said Defence’s understanding of its potential role in the response to the crisis was growing by the day.
“Each day and each week of our effort we will be more ready,” General Campbell said.
But, under questioning by Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick, the CDF declined to say whether Defence’s role might require the use of force.
“That’s the kind of area of speculation that discomforts the population,” General Campbell said.
Elias Visontay 3.08pm: PM accused of sports rorts ‘cover-up’
Labor MP Pat Conroy asks Scott Morrison about his role in the sports rorts scandal.
“Today the sports minister told senate estimates he met with two staff from the Prime Minister’s office at 6pm last night to discuss how to handle questions about sports rorts. Did the Prime Minister know before or after that meeting that the parliament had been misled about sports rorts? Can the Prime Minister confirm that his office is co-ordinating the cover-up?” Mr Conroy asks.
The Prime Minister: “I have taken this matter extremely seriously. We have adopted the recommendations of the report. A further inquiry was initiated and the minister resigned from her post.” Read more about the latest in sports rorts here.
Elias Visontay 3.01pm: ADF head ‘discomforted’ by bushfire video
Deputy opposition leader Richard Marles asks Scott Morrison about the government’s bushfire video again.
“Did General Campbell, the chief of the defence force, speak to the Prime Minister personally to indicate that he was, and I quote, discomforted by the use of Australian Defence Force imagery in this post?” Mr Marles asks.
The Prime Minister responds: “I talk to the chief of the defence force very regularly.”
“When I have private discussions with the chief of the defence force, I respect those private discussions, Mr Speaker. And when he raises whether these issues or any other issues, I always respect and thank him very much for the advice that he provides me with those matters,” Mr Morrison says. Read more here.
Elias Visontay 2.53pm: PM’s bushfires video back in focus
Deputy opposition leader Richard Marles asks Scott Morrison about a controversial government video released on social media during the bushfire crisis.
“Did General Campbell, the chief of the defence force, speak personally to the Prime Minister to object to the use of Australian Defence Force imagery in the Liberal Party’s bushfire advertisement the Prime Minister published on 4 January, and remains published online to this day?” Mr Marles asks.
The Prime Minister responds: “This was important information communicated to the Australian people. I observed, Mr Speaker, the requirements of the Australian electoral act that any such videos need a proper authorisation, and that authorisation was provided.”
David Ross 2.48pm: Coronavirus fears for Wollongong student
Paramedics were called to the University of Wollongong this morning after a student presented at the campus medical clinic with flu-like symptoms.
The student was taken to hospital to be tested to determine whether she had contracted COVID-19 It is unknown at this stage where she had been taken or if other students she had been in contact with have been notified.
It is unknown whether the student is a domestic or international student.
The university says if the student needs to be isolated while waiting for test results the university can provide “suitable accommodation available that meets NSW Health’s isolation requirements”.
Elias Visontay 2.47pm: ‘Failure’ on bushfire relief
Labor MP Fiona Phillips asks Scott Morrison about bushfire relief.
“On January six, the Prime Minister promised $2 billion of immediate support for bushfire affected communities. This week he admitted his rollout has failed and he needs to re-phase and revise his efforts. We also learned this week that only 10 per cent of his promised funds have been spent. Why has the Prime Minister failed to deliver his promise to my bushfire affected community?” Ms Phillips asks.
The Prime Minister responds talking about issues with eligibility for grants
“In order to be eligible for small-business grants they needed to be direct damage provided by that fire event, that physical activity. That is the same rule that is applied on both sides of the house.
“I look forward to making the announcement, Mr Speaker, to addressing those issues that have been raised. The government will continue to listen carefully and will continue to make changes to programs as necessary.”
Charlie Peel 2.40pm: Eleventh Queensland coronavirus case
A Queensland man who recently returned from Iran has tested positive for coronavirus.
The 26-year-old man from Logan, south of Brisbane, is the 11th person with the virus in Queensland, including the three people from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship.
The man is in a stable condition in isolation at Princess Alexandra Hospital.
The state’s tenth case was confirmed on Tuesday when a 20-year-old University of Queensland student from China tested positive.
He and his flatmate have been isolated in hospital.
Tests have been carried out to find out if the flatmate has the virus.
Elias Visontay 2.37pm: Frydenberg challenged on ‘weak’ economy
Opposition treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers asks Josh Frydenberg about the economy.
“Why will he not admit that his inaction and incompetence on the economy means Australia faces the substantial challenges of the coronavirus from a position of economic weakness, not strength?” Mr Chalmers asks.
Mr Frydenberg responds: “I don’t know whether member Rankin ignores the most recent numbers in today’s national account numbers and ignores the fact that we have seen. Unemployment, at the end of last year came down 5.1%. We saw it go down.”
“The reality is that we have legislated through this parliament against the will of those opposite, more than $300 billion of tax cuts, Mr Speaker. We have seen on our watch more than 1.5 million new jobs be created.”
Elias Visontay 2.30pm: But are we back in black?
Opposition treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers asks Josh Frydenberg about his “back in black” budget slogan again.
“Does he still stand by his guarantee that his budget is back in the black?” Mr Chalmers asks.
The Treasurer responds: “We stand by our commitment to ensure a stronger Australian economy.”
“We stand by our commitment to ensure a stronger budget, Mr Speaker. We stand by our
commitment to ensure lower taxes, Mr Speaker. We stand by our commitment to create more small businesses.”
Elias Visontay 2.20pm: Costs of 3C warmer climate
Independent MP Zali Steggall asks Scott Morrison if the government had conducted costings into the economic impact of a three degrees warmer world.
The Prime Minister responds by saying it is a better question for Labor and criticises the details of their emissions policy.
“I am not going to sell out the jobs of those (coal mining) constituents who depend on those industries,” Mr Morrison says.
“What we are going to do is recognising to take the action on climate change necessary is to get emissions down by the smart process of having a technology plan that sees us reduce emissions into the future. We’ve got a plan focused on technology. They’ve (Labor) got a target, and all that means is higher taxes.”
Elias Visontay 2.15pm: On track or in black?
Opposition treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers asks Josh Frydenberg about his “back in black” slogan when announcing the 2019 budget.
“Does he still stand by the guarantee that the budget is back in the black and the economy is back on track?” Mr Chalmers asks.
The Treasurer responds: “I can confirm the budget is back on track.”
“What we have delivered is the biggest tax cuts for more than 20 years, the lowest welfare dependency in 30 years, the first current surplus in more than 40 years, and the first balanced budget 11 years! No one can take that away from the Coalition.” Mr Frydenberg says.
Elias Visontay 2.13pm: Will three-decade run of growth continue?
Anthony Albanese asks Scott Morrison about economic growth.
“Can the Prime Minister guarantee that Australia’s three decade run of unbroken economic growth that began with the former Labor government will survive his prime ministership?” he asks.
The Prime Minister responds: “The global coronavirus is a very dramatic situation that has been emerging now for the past seven weeks and a situation which the government has moved quickly to protect the health of Australians and equally.”
“There are very real differences between the circumstances we face today and previous circumstances. They are all significant and serious issues and that is the way that the government is approaching it in fashioning responses that we will be providing.”
Elias Visontay 2.10pm: Frydenberg quizzed on pre-coronavirus economy
Opposition treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers begins question time asking Josh Frydenberg about lower economic growth before the coronavirus hit.
The Treasurer responds by pointing out that unemployment has fallen from 5.7 per cent to 5.3 per cent from when Labor was last in government.
“The Australian people want lower taxes, not higher taxes, and there’s only one side of this chamber that can guarantee lower taxes,” Mr Frydenberg says.
Elias Visontay 2pm: We won’t hesitate to enforce isolation: Hunt
Health Minister Greg Hunt has warned the government “will not hesitate” to exercise Commonwealth powers to enforce self isolation requirements for travellers returning to Australia from countries experiencing a coronavirus outbreak.
Mr Hunt’s warning comes hours after the government announced a two-week self isolation requirement for all travellers returning from Iran, after Scott Morrison requested travel advice for all countries be reassessed.
Delivering the announcement, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy also urged any traveller returning to Australia to self isolate if they become “unwell at all in any way”.
“Nearly every case of imported COVID-19 that we have seen from return travellers they have been very responsible and identified early on,” Professor Murphy said.
“That is the single most important message I want to get out to return travellers. If you become unwell at all in any way, immediately isolate … with respiratory symptoms and get help. That is really, really important.”
On Iran, Professor Murphy said self isolation requirements were “very hard to enforce”.
However Mr Hunt said there had been an “overwhelming national compliance with self isolation”, but said each state has “very strong” powers to act on those who do not.
“The powers are there. The compliance has been there. We will not hesitate either through the states or if required the Commonwealth, to enforce if necessary.” Mr Hunt said.
Elias Visontay 1.31pm: Frydenberg floats deeming rate changes
The government is considering further changes to deeming rates as it looks to respond to a drop in interest rates.
Josh Frydenberg acknowledged the impact rates cuts had on depositors, and said the government was open to changing the deeming rate — used to estimate how much pensioners earn on their financial investments — again, less than a year after it changed them for the first time in four years in July 2019.
When the government made those changes, which dropped the lower level deeming rate from 1.75 per cent to 1 per cent and the upper level deeming rate from 3.25 per cent to 3 per cent, pensioner groups were cautious the drop was not enough.
The Treasurer’s announcement the government is considering the move comes after a several interest cuts in the past year, dropping below 1 per cent for the first time.
“It’s also difficult, I have to say, for people who are depositors and that is something that the government is also considering,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“You will remember last year we announced some changes to the deeming rate, the lower level deeming rate was brought down to 1 per cent the upper level deeming rate at 3 per cent.
“We are now having another look at the deeming rate. That change that we announced last year was about $600 million in terms of its cost.
“But we do recognise that both depositors and also borrowers are affected here by the changing interest rates.” he said.
Speaking more generally on possible stimulus to help the economy recover from the impacts of the bushfire crisis and coronavirus, Mr Frydenberg said “we want obviously Australian businesses to get the support through this economic shock”.
“But when we are over this economic shock we want the Australian economy to be stronger.”
Ben Packham 12.42pm: Nation ‘captured’ by French sub contract
The Morrison government’s Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board says the decision to hand Naval Group the $80bn Future Submarine project without a plan B has effectively left the nation “captured” by the French defence giant. Read more here.
Adeshola Ore 11.35am: Aged care worker diagnosis ‘grave concern’: AMA
AMA president Tony Bartone says the latest incident of human-to-human transmission is of grave concern given she worked in proximity to the most vulnerable members of the community.
“It is a significant issue that a healthcare worker, who has been working in an aged-care facility, has tested positive for the virus,” Dr Bartone told The Australian.
“Unfortunately, that now has major implications for all healthcare workers at that facility — and who are the frontline when it comes to caring for the elderly — and also for the residents.
“These residents are very vulnerable: they are elderly, many already have complex underlying conditions, and this disease is particularly devastating in those circumstances.”
Dr Bartone said it was crucial the wider community observed a number of simple health precautions if the spread of the pathogen was to be limited.
“It’s not a time to panic — but it is an important reminder of the need to self-isolate if you develop symptoms, maintain correct handwash hygiene, and observe proper cough etiquette,” he said.
“Being told to self-isolate means exactly that. It means to isolate yourself immediately — not go on a detour of the local supermarket or foodstore first — but to isolate yourself straightaway.”
Elias Visontay 11.35am: Fast-track infrastructure to boost economy: McCormack
Michael McCormack has talked up infrastructure building as a form of stimulus to respond to the “unprecedented” economic impacts of coronavirus and the bushfire crisis, asking states to put forward projects that can be rolled out within three to six months to be fast tracked.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the move is about “making sure that the economy stays on track to help to make sure that we get through the ailments that have beset our economy and our nation since last November”.
“Indeed, we’ve had unprecedented, unparalleled hits to the economy, hits to the bottom line,” he said.
“We’re well prepared to meet those head on and as part of meeting those challenges, indeed, we’re making them into opportunities by ensuring that the states work with us and work indeed with the 537 local councils right throughout Australia.
“Whether it’s big projects, such as highways, byways, right down to roundabouts, making sure that if we can start work, indeed even finished them within the next three to six months, then we’re able to do that.
Mr McCormack said the government was making a direct request to state infrastructure ministers to bring forward their projects.
“We’ve had bushfires, of course the drought … one shower, one drop of rainfall does not break the drought and the effects of the drought are going to be continuing for many communities for many months to come. And of course, as I said, bushfires but now the novel coronavirus 2019. So we’re under the pump.”
Alice Workman 11.30am: White Comcars ‘reflect colonial past’
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has confirmed he personally intervened to change the colour of the new fleet of taxpayer-funded (not Holden) Comcars from traditional white to dark grey because they reflect ‘our colonial past’. Read more here.
Rosie Lewis 10.45am: Aged care facility may be put into lockdown
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy says a woman who has coronavirus in Sydney had worked at an aged care facility and it was possible that facility would need to go into lock down.
Dr Murphy did not know what dates the woman worked at the facility, and said NSW Health would make a full statement at around lunchtime.
“I believe the woman has been involved in working in an aged care facility but I don’t have with me the dates when,” Dr Murphy told Senate estimates.
“Because the Commonwealth has very deep involvement in aged care, our aged care people are working closely with NSW Health this morning to work out what supports they need, what planning will be required to support them. Read more here.
Rosie Lewis 10.01am: Global cases could be triple actually reported: CMO
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy says it’s absolutely possible the number of global coronavirus cases is double or triple what’s being reported, meaning the mortality rate could be much lower in some places.
Australian hospitals will also have to cancel most elective surgery if there’s a large outbreak of the virus and the states were considering bringing forward that surgery now while case numbers were low.
Rosie Lewis 9.45am: Mortality rate uncertain: CMO
It was still not entirely certain what the mortality rate of coronavirus was but Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy says “well over 80 per cent” of people with the virus had a very mild disease.
Dr Murphy said the death rate in Hubei province, where the virus originated, had been 3 per cent but in other parts of the world it was less than 1 per cent.
He said there must be a number of undiagnosed cases and people with mild symptoms were probably unlikely to present to authorities.
Rosie Lewis 9.22am: No evidence of ‘widespread’ transmission: CMO
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has assured Australians there is no evidence of widespread transmission of coronavirus in the community despite human-to-human infection “in a small part of Sydney”.
Appearing before a Senate estimates committee on Wednesday, Dr Murphy said it “does seem likely” there would be outbreaks of community transmission of the virus in Australia and noted that even the best prepared health systems can be challenged in the face of large outbreaks.
Dr Murphy said it was not “proportionate” or “sensible” to be taking all toilet paper off supermarket shelves and the government was also focused on bolstering stocks of protective equipment such as face masks.
David Ross 9.05am: New coronavirus case confirmed in Victoria
Victoria has confirmed its 10th case of coronavirus is a man aged in his 30s who recently returned from Iran.
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikaos said the man was almost symptom-free and was self-isolating at home.
A formal announcement from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services regarding the man’s case will be made soon.
#Coronavirus: Information for health professionals across the Victorian sector, including a quick reference guide and checklist, can be found here: https://t.co/PSXLOjTCfv #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/LN7K4BZfwh
— VicGovDHHS (@VicGovDHHS) March 3, 2020
Elias Visontay 8.50am: Iran travellers ‘required to self-isolate’
Health Minister Greg Hunt has urged anyone who arrived in Australia from Iran after February 19 to self-isolate in their own homes due to fears of coronavirus.
Mr Hunt said the updated measures were the result of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s request for a review of travel restrictions and other protocols. The new warning has been spurred by eight Australian cases of the virus believed to be contracted from people who had directly travelled to Iran.
Mr Hunt also said there are approximately 900 arrivals from Iran to Australia in any given month, and that the government was targeting Farsi language media in Australia to convey the updated self isolation requirement.
“Today we are implementing additional measures to those that have been taken, requiring everybody who has arrived from Iran from the 19th of February to self isolate in Australia,” Mr Hunt told Sky News.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a visitor from Iran — the message is very clear. You are now required to self isolate. That is a new position, which follows directly from the Prime Minister’s request yesterday.
“In any one month there are approximately 900 arrivals from Iran, so Border Force will be gathering those figures, assisting with the tracing and the contact.
TUESDAY UPDATE: Coronavirus (#COVID19)
— Australian Government Department of Health (@healthgovau) March 3, 2020
What’s new:
• In Australia
• Across the world
• Resources in Farsi
• What we are doing
Read more: https://t.co/sHqKFoX3OH pic.twitter.com/dRe46m4lqU
“At the same time, we are making contact through Farsi language media to assist with those that have come from Iran, and again, that’s an additional measure to those that were announced on Saturday simply because it’s absolutely clear that the caseload in Iran is very significant.
“Eight of the cases that have been diagnosed in Australia have had some contact, either travelled directly from or been associated with people who’ve travelled directly from Iran.”
Elias Visontay 8.25am: Albo — Government ‘has secrecy at heart’
Anthony Albanese has continued his attack on Scott Morrison over his role in the sports rorts scandal, accusing his government of having “secrecy at its heart” and urging the Prime Minister to “tell the truth”.
The Opposition Leader’s fresh round of criticism has been spurred on by revelations that came from Senate estimates this week that appeared to show several changes were made to the list of approved projects for a sports grants scheme after the government had gone into caretaker mode.
Explaining why he believed Mr Morrison’s office was responsible, Mr Albanese said he had taken the view the Audit Office had told Senate estimates.
“The Audit Office said to Senate estimates this week, gave evidence on oath, Brian Boyd, said that it was the Prime Minister’s office was the reason why a project was removed and another nine added,” Mr Albanese told ABC Radio.
“This was on the morning of the 11th of April, and then after that, there were further lists go to the Prime Minister’s Office from Bridget McKenzie’s office. Bridget McKenzie’s office then sent that afternoon another list that added nine projects and took one out.
“The fact is that what we’ve seen here is 136 emails from the Prime Minister’s Office and from Bridget McKenzie’s office to each other, and the Prime Minister won’t release those emails, won’t release that information. The Prime Minister’s office have been in this up to their neck, and that is obvious for all to see, and the real problem here is that this is a pattern.
“We can’t find out when the Prime Minister went to Hawaii, the issue there was that they couldn’t even say who the acting Prime Minister was … it was that lack of scrutiny.
“We had the Brian Houston incident, whereby for reasons beyond my comprehension, the Prime Minister said that that was just gossip. And now months later has confirmed that it’s a fact.
After dismissing reports as ‘gossip’, the Scott Morrison confirms he asked for Hillsong’s Brian Houston to be invited to a White House state dinner https://t.co/7O6rAqjt2d
— The Australian (@australian) March 3, 2020
“And on sports rorts, we have seen an attempt to cover this up, an inquiry by the Prime Minister’s former chief of staff examining the independent audit officer’s findings, which didn’t even get access to the emails, which didn’t interview any of the Prime Minister’s staff, and which was designed to come up with a reason to throw Bridget Mackenzie under the bus and protect the Prime Minister.
“This is a government that has secrecy at its heart. A Prime Minister who thinks that he is above the Australian people and doesn’t have to answer questions honestly, and in the parliament, he continued to say a number of times that these lists were finalised by Bridget McKenzie on the 4th of April. The fact is that that is not the case, it was changed even after the election was called on the 11th of April.
“I want him to tell the truth, I want him to actually treat the parliament seriously, and to tell the truth.”
Sport Australia are expected to appear before Senate estimates again on Wednesday morning.
David Ross 7.30am: PM forges ahead with bushfire relief
Scott Morrison says relief packages for bushfire-affected businesses will soon be relaunched, with broader economic stimulus also coming soon.
“Andrew Colvin has been working on that over the past week and when we’re in a position to relaunch that we will,” the Prime Minister told Sydney radio station 2GB.
Mr Morrison also said his government hoped to unveil economic stimulus measures for the broader economy before the 2020 budget, but took a swing at “overpriced pink batts and school halls” that featured in Labor’s GFC economic stimulus package.
“It’s about the cash flow of particularly small- and medium-sized businesses,” he said.
“The economic effects are significant but it’s not the same as the GFC.”
He said he’d spoken with Coles and Woolworths after yesterday’s reports that shoppers were stripping shelves of toilet paper and long-life food.
“They’ve been putting things in place to make sure they’re stocked up again,” he said.
Elias Visontay 7am: What’s making news in Canberra today
The big four banks have moved swiftly to pass on the Reserve Bank’s interest rate cut to a record low of 0.5 per cent, amid fears the Morrison government could increase the bank levy in the wake of the global coronavirus epidemic.
KIRBY | Savers to suffer as RBA cuts cash rate again - Cash deposit rates will now struggle to keep pace with inflation, instantly pushing investors into riskier investments. @kirby_journo #wealth #inflation #investing https://t.co/AQ4s3wPuil
— Business Review (@aus_business) March 3, 2020
Health authorities are struggling to track potential coronavirus victims amid fears that an infected doctor now under quarantine may have spread COVID-19 to his patients.
If you've travelled to or transited through Iran since 1 March 2020, you need to isolate yourself by staying at home with no visitors. If sharing your home stay in a different room, wear a surgical mask when with others, & when seeking medical care. More:https://t.co/sqx6ftLCj1 pic.twitter.com/BIov1NiMSk
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) March 2, 2020
Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt has created a new advisory group that will develop options for local and regional bodies that can be part of an indigenous voice to government.
Scott Morrison has confirmed that he asked the Trump administration to invite Hillsong pastor Brian Houston to a White House state dinner last September after he initially dismissed the report as “gossip”.
After dismissing reports as ‘gossip’, the Scott Morrison confirms he asked for Hillsong’s Brian Houston to be invited to a White House state dinner https://t.co/7O6rAqjt2d
— The Australian (@australian) March 3, 2020
Outspoken coal advocates, Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon and Liberal MP Craig Kelly , will host a cocktail event in Canberra promoting the use of carbon capture and storage to reduce the emissions of coal-fired power stations.
Big global miner Anglo American’s pathway to #netzeroemissions pic.twitter.com/Nw0luJv3Uv
— Joel Fitzgibbon (@fitzhunter) March 1, 2020
Alice Workman ’s Sketch: Scott Morrison on a roll over toilet paper panic buys.
Dennis Shanahan writes: It’s all talk and no faction, as both sides pursue their political agendas.
Entsch stonewalls on taxpayer grant questions
The LNP’s candidate for Cairns, Yolonde Entsch, has repeatedly refused to answer questions about Morrison government grants her companies received when her husband was a federal MP.
Crisafulli’s $50m anti-crime canoe camps
Children who wag school will have their phones confiscated and be sent on taxpayer-funded camps to canoe and learn coding under a Liberal National Party plan to drive down youth crime rates in Queensland.