Police have outlined the breadth of the investigation under Strike Force Bast and appealed for assistance from passengers from the last two voyages of the Ruby Princess to assist with ongoing inquiries.
Detectives from across State Crime, Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics and Marine Area Commands are conducting inquiries under Strike Force Bast surrounding the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess at Sydney Harbour on Thursday 19 March 2020.
The priority of the investigation is to determine whether there was criminal negligence by the company or crew relevant to health issues prevailing on the ship, as well as any actions or omissions by any other entity, including NSW or Commonwealth departments, which may have directly or indirectly related to the death of a person from COVID-19.
This would include the nature of – and deficiencies in – decision-making processes both on-board and on-shore surrounding the management of the vessel, and its crew and passengers.
Strike Force Bast will refer any and all information relevant to jurisdictional responsibilities to the Special Commission of Inquiry.
Information relevant to the circumstances surrounding the deaths of people who either contracted COVID-19 on board the vessel or through contact with a passenger will be reported to the NSW Coroner’s Court in due course.
The State Coroner will not make a decision about whether an inquest will be held until after the criminal investigation and the Special Commission of Inquiry are completed.
Information from the vessel’s voyage data recorder (black box) – which was seized last Wednesday (8 April 2020) – and believed to contain telemetry, as well as engine and systems management, and voice recordings of ship-to-shore communications, is currently undergoing forensic examination.
All necessary inquiries have been conducted on-board and, as communication has been established with the crew, there are no operational or investigative issues that would impede the vessel’s impending departure.
Further, strike force investigators are continuing to receive relevant documentation from the cruise company; the process of logging, triaging and assessing the information is ongoing.
Due to current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in place across the globe, strike force detectives are being flexible and agile in their approach to investigations management and witness contact, which includes a strong reliance on remote communications and digital technology.
In recent days, investigators have provided a survey to the crew currently on board the vessel, which will assist with guiding relevance of information, and witness statements will be obtained remotely, as required.
Strike force investigators will also reach out in coming days to passengers from both the 24 February to 8 March and 8-19 March voyages to conduct a similar survey, which will help prioritise the order in which statements are obtained.
The manifests list passengers from across the globe, including 2995 people on the first voyage and 2647 people on the second voyage – many with travel agents as their primary contact – and at this time, investigators are making their way through the list contacting via email and text.
They will be provided a link to an online questionnaire, which will provide the information directly to Strike Force Bast. This Initial triage will assist with prioritising key witnesses for a timely investigative response.
All passengers who receive the investigator’s electronic survey request are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible.
Passengers who have not received the survey by next Friday (24 April 2020) should register their best contact details with Crime Stoppers online at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au, which will assist with establishing a direct contact within the strike force and ensuring the timely recording of relevant information.
While the rosters show many of the same crew were part of the more the 1100-strong workforce on-board for both voyages, there are numerous members who have since returned to their home country.
Given the expanse of the proposed inquiries – both in volume and distance – this may take some time to complete.
As such, Strike Force Bast may enlist the assistance of interstate and international law enforcement colleagues for liaison and to finalise statements.
These inquiries are expected to include the canvass of some 7000 people, the analysis of thousands of pages of documentation, and hundreds of hours of footage, and information may also be referred to the NSW Government’s Special Commission of Inquiry.
It is of critical importance that detectives ensure they maintain the integrity and thoroughness of this investigation – as they would any investigation – despite the current restrictions and guidelines under the Public Health Act.
Anyone who has information relevant to the investigation, including details of symptoms, illness, or medical advice during the voyage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The community is reminded that their information is treated in strict confidence.
Author: admin
Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)
Police have charged six people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 24 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:
- Officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling when they stopped and spoke to two men near Steel Street, Newcastle West, just before 2pm (Thursday 16 April 2020). Police will allege one of the men – aged 20 – refused to provide his personal details and repeatedly used offensive language. Following checks, it was established the man had previously been warned and issued a $1000 PIN on Tuesday (14 April 2020) for breaching the Public Health Act. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with use offensive language in/near public place, breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The Clarence Town man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 17 April 2020).
- About 8.30pm (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Wollongong Police District stopped a Toyota Kluger on the Princess Highway at Figtree and spoke to the driver, a 37-year-old Victorian woman, and her two passengers, as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of GBL under Strike Force Braky. Following a subsequent search of the vehicle, police found 375ml of GBL in a water bottle, two smaller bottles also containing GBL, an electronic stun device, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia including digital scales and a glass pipe. The total estimated potential street value of the drugs is $14,400. The driver was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where she was charged with supply prohibited drug (between indictable and commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Police will allege the woman was supplying GBL across the Wollongong area. The Bundoora woman was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today. Both passengers were given warnings for not complying with a ministerial direction.
- About 3.15pm (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from the Police Transport Command were patrolling near Wollongong Railway Station, when they stopped and spoke with three men. None of them could provide a reasonable excuse to not be at home. A 19-year-old North Nowra man was charged with breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today. The two other men were issued formal warnings.
- About 8am (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Wollongong Police attempted to stop a man on a bicycle at Fairy Meadow as part of investigations into a number of nuisance calls to Triple Zero (000) made in the early hours of the morning. The 29-year-old man initially ignored direction from police, before he was stopped and searched. During the search, police found a 25cm tactical knife concealed in his pocket and a 30cm hunting knife in his backpack. He was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with use carriage service to menace/harass/offend, custody of knife in public place – subsequent offence, breach of bail, goods in custody suspected of being stolen (mountain bike), rider not wear approved bicycle helmet, and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail and is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court today.
- Just before 8am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2020), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command saw two stolen cars – a Honda Odyssey and a Jeep Cherokee – travelling along the Hume Highway, Liverpool. Both vehicles attempted to evade police, with the Honda allegedly ramming a police car and crashing into the front entrance of a bottle shop. The occupants of both vehicles – six teenagers aged between 14 and 17 – were arrested. Four were charged with a range of offences relating to vehicle theft, drugs, traffic, and breach of bail. Two of the four were also charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Four of the teens were refused bail to appear before a children’s court today. The remaining two teens were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
- Just after 11.30am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2020), police attached Liverpool City Proactive Crime Team spoke to a 57-year-old man on Burlison Street, Warwick Farm. Officers searched the man and his Holden utility, seizing cannabis and cash from the vehicle. He was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with drug supply, drug possession, goods in custody, dealing with proceeds of crime and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He is due to appear before Liverpool Local Court on Thursday 11 June 2020.
Yesterday’s PINs include:
- About 3am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended a service station on Pittwater Road, Brookvale, when they saw a Holden Commodore utility at the bowser. Police spoke to the occupants – a 24-year-old Green Valley man and a 33-year-old Busby man – who could not provide police with a reasonable excuse to travel. Both men were issued $1000 PINs.
- About 5.20am, officers attached to Campbelltown City Police Area Command stopped a blue Nissan Navara utility on Tamborine Drive, Minto, and spoke to three occupants. The female passenger – aged 24 – had previously been issued a PIN on Saturday 11 April 2020 for not complying with a ministerial direction. Due to the occupants being in the vehicle without a reasonable excuse, the woman was issued a second $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and two men – aged 20 and 23 – were issued warnings.
- Officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District stopped a Ford Territory station wagon with four occupants on Gordon Street, Port Macquarie, about 12.50am for the purpose of a random breath test. A 21-year-old man had previously been issued a warning for breaching the Minister’s direction on Wednesday 1 April 2020, while a second man – aged 23 – and a 17-year-old girl had also been issued a warning on Thursday 9 April 2020. All four people, including a 15-year-old boy, were unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being out with each other. The two men and teenage girl were issued a $1000 PIN. The teenage boy received a warning.
- About 5.15pm, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command spoke to a man sitting with a group of other people at Little Hay Street, Haymarket. The man had previously been warned by officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command on Tuesday 7 April 2020 at Bondi for breaching the Health Act and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.
- Just before 4.30pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling Darling Harbour and spoke to a 29-year-old man sitting in the centre of a water feature using his mobile phone. The Redfern man allegedly told officers he was meditating. He had previously been issued a warning under the Ministerial Direction and was issued with a $1000 PIN.
- Just after 9am, officers attached to Ryde Police Area Command spoke to a 25-year-old man at Hornsby Railway Station. He was issued a warning after telling officers he had travelled from Wyong to have lunch with his brother. About 9.45am, officers spoke to the man again on-board a train at Epping. He allegedly told them he was travelling to Central to collect money from a friend and was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.
- About 1.50am, officers from Central West Police District were patrolling Calarie Road, Forbes, when they spoke to a 22-year-old man, who was walking on the road with alcohol bottles. When asked where he was going, police allege the man did not provide a reasonable excuse under the Public Health Act. The man was issued a $1000 PIN. Police had issued the man with a warning last Friday (10 April 2020).
- About 3.30pm, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command issued a $1000 PIN to a 54-year-old man after he was found drinking alcohol in the Royal Botanical Gardens. Police had previously warned the man on Sunday (12 April 2020).
- About 6pm, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District were patrolling when they stopped a 25-year-old man outside a home on Pur Pur Avenue, Lake Illawarra. He allegedly told police he was visiting a mate. Checks revealed the man had received two prior warnings on Saturday (11 April 2020) and Wednesday (15 April 2020) and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)
Police have charged five people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 25 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:
- Just before 1am (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command stopped and spoke to an 18-year-old man on Allen Street, near Experiment Street, Pyrmont. He allegedly told police he was going to “hang out with a mate in Kings Cross” and during a subsequent search he was allegedly found in possession of cannabis and a prescription medication. Checks revealed the man was issued a warning under the Public Health Act the day prior (Tuesday 14 April 2020). He was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The Pyrmont man was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 8 June 2020.
- About midday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a man attended a golf club on Marsh Street, Arncliffe, and verbally threatened two employees before leaving. Officers from St George Police Area Command were notified and a short time later, a 46-year-old man was arrested at a park off the Princes Highway, Wolli Creek. He was taken to St George Police Station and charged with two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (personal), and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. The Parramatta man has since been taken to hospital for assessment.
- Just before 1pm (Wednesday 15 April 2020) police arrested a 27-year-old man at a basketball stadium on Ralph Place, Mount Druitt following his fifth breach of ministerial directions under the Public Health Act. The man received a warning on Thursday 2 April 2020 for failing to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. Despite this he repeated the offence the following day (Friday 3 April 2020), then twice again last week resulting in three PINs being issued. On each occasion the man was allegedly found consuming alcohol in a public place with others. Following his arrest, the man was taken to Mount Druitt Police Station and charged with larceny, enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Thursday 16 April 2020).
- Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 15 April 2020), police from the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command approached a 39-year-old man who was drinking alcohol in a park on Little Bay Road, Little Bay. Checks revealed the man had been given two warnings earlier in the month for breaching isolation rules. He was issued with an infringement notice on 14 April for failing to comply with direction. The man was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station and charged with not comply with direction. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Waverley Local Court on 1 July 2020.
- About 6.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Tweed/Byron Police District attended Florence Street, Tweed Heads, after receiving information about a man who had arrived in a car acting aggressively. The man returned a positive roadside breath test, before being taken to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he allegedly refused a breath analysis. He was charged with breach of bail, refuse breath analysis, drive unregistered vehicle and unlicensed driver. The man had been issued with a $1000 PIN on 7 April 2020 for failing to comply with a ministerial direction. He was also charged with not comply with noticed direction and refused bail, to appear at Lismore Local Court today (16 April 2020).
Yesterday’s PINs include:
- Infringement notices were issued to two women aged 23 and 37, about 8.30pm last night (Wednesday 15 April 2020) after police from Sydney City Police Area Command saw them sitting in a car in Sussex Street. Both women had been issued warnings in the days prior.
- A 23-year-old man was issued his second infringement notice under the Public Health Act. About 7.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command saw a group of people sitting on a stairwell at Colo Lane, Blacktown. The group ran from officers, and the 23-year-old man found nearby told officers he had been going to the doctors but did not know the location of the practice or the name of the doctor. He was issued with a $1000 PIN.
- A 21-year-old man was issued a fourth PIN, after being stopped by police on Lawson St Penrith. About 4.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), the man told officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command that he had been at a friend’s birthday. He was issued with a $1000 PIN. A passenger in his vehicle was also issued a $1000 fine.
- Two people have been issued fines for travelling from Victoria to use ‘Return and Earn’ facilities. About 9.20am yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a 61-year-old man was issued a fine after travelling from Wangaratta, Victoria, to Corowa to return cans and bottles. About 3.40pm, officers from Murray River Police District spoke to a woman also at a Corowa ‘Return and Earn’ facility, the 24-year-old had travelled from Yarrawonga, Victoria, and was issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.
- Four men have been issued fines, after being seen drinking in a park on Carinya Avenue, St Marys. About 1.30am yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command observed the men, aged 20, 25, 26 and 28, in Lang park and they failed to provide a reasonable excuse. All four were issued $1000 PINS and one of the men was issued a Court Attendance Notice for breaching his bail conditions.
- Two women have been issued infringement notices after travelling to a caravan park at Broadwater. Officers from Richmond Police District were notified the two women, aged 19 and 29, had travelled to the caravan park from Taree. About 10.20am the pair were spoken to by police and were issued $1000 PINs for non-essential travel.
- About 1.45am yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a security guard alerted police that a group of five was climbing scaffolding on a building site at Bathurst Street, Sydney. Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command attended and spoke to five males, aged 14, 15, 16, 17 and 21, all from Kellyville. The group admitted to climbing the building with the intention of taking photos. The 21-year-old was issued an infringement for breaching the Public Health Act and trespass, while the juveniles were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
- About 5pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Tweed/Bryon Police District stopped a vehicle at Fawcett Street, Brunswick Heads, and spoke to the three occupants. The 20-year-old driver failed to provide a reasonable excuse for travel, telling officers he answers to a higher authority. He had previously been issued a warning under the Ministerial Direction and was issued with a $1000 PIN. The other two occupants, men aged 46 and 56, were given warnings.
- About 4.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 April 2020), a 29-year-old man was stopped by offices attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District, riding a bike. The man told police he was going to a friend’s place to “chill” and was aware of the restrictions in place. He was issued a $1000 PIN.
- A two teenage boys have been issued infringements for failing to provide a reasonable excuse for being out of home at Carrington Street, Woonona. It is the second time the 15-year-old and 17-year-old have been issued $1000 PINs while visiting each other.
- Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District issued an infringement notice to a 42-year-old man at Morisset after he was issued multiple warnings. The man was warned twice yesterday, at 3.50am and 4.30pm in different locations on the Central Coast, for being out of home without a reasonable excuse. At about 6.20pm he was issued a $1000 PIN Gateway Boulevard, Morisset.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Greens call for public ownership of Virgin
Greens leader Adam Bandt and transport spokesperson Senator Janet Rice have called for public ownership of Virgin in light of reports the airline is considering going into administration.
Before handing over any public money to the major airlines, the Greens are calling for conditions to be attached:
- Government support being provided as an equity stake, not a loan. Given the financial position of the airlines the required equity stake would almost certainly result in public ownership.
- Workers remaining employed and fully paid
- A pay cut and no bonuses for executives
- A ban on share buybacks or dividends
- A seat for workers on the company board
- Board seats (proportional to the equity stake) for government
- Paying a fair share of corporate tax
Greens transport spokesperson Senator Janet Rice said:
“If public funds are used to bail out Virgin then the airline should be brought into public hands.
“Keeping airlines afloat is important to guarantee essential transport and protect jobs during and after this crisis. But the government must attach conditions to any bailout money to ensure a fair outcome for workers and some return on investment for the Australian people, rather than another handout for corporate investors.
“Privatisation has failed us. While corporate profits for the major airlines have soared over the years, the public has been paying more, and now most of Qantas and Virgin’s workforce have been stood down and left in the lurch.
“The Greens plan ensures that the government does not write a blank cheque to the airlines without prioritising our essential transport workers.”
Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“If Virgin is about to go into administration, the government should bring it into public ownership.
“Public ownership of Virgin may be the only way to save jobs and ensure Australians can remain connected as we travel in a carbon-constrained world.
“If we’re spending public money, we should be getting public ownership. It’s as simple as that.
“Private companies shouldn’t feel entitled to public money when they need help, only to turn around and abandon workers in their hour of need.
“Our government likes to pretend they’re good economic managers, but forking over billions in public money without getting an ownership stake is a bad deal.”
Housing Needs A National Response With More Protection For Tenants: Greens
Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP have said that the federal government must step up and develop a national housing policy that addresses big gaps left by the states.
Housing packages announced by state governments in recent days have largely left vulnerable renters in the lurch and failed to address the power imbalance between landlords and tenants.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:
“We have seen some positive steps from the states, such as moratoriums on evictions and funding for tenant advocacy services, but it’s not good enough to leave renters at the mercy of landlords.
“Measures across the board are still skewed towards landlords and leave renters behind. Leaving negotiation up to individual landlords and their tenants makes the most vulnerable tenants open to exploitation at a time when they need security and certainty.
“This power imbalance between landlords and tenants will further entrench inequality post-pandemic. This is the time to ensure a better deal for renters and the dignity of a secure home for everyone.
“Renters need confidence that if they ask for a rent-free period or for rent reductions now, they won’t be faced with rental hikes or a big debt to pay later when the pandemic is over. We need a nationwide rent freeze so no one is left behind now or later.
“The federal government has really failed here. They must immediately step up. We need an increase and expansion of Commonwealth Rent Assistance payments. The government needs to bring big banks to the table, and direct them to provide mortgage relief, with no interest accrual, a ban on foreclosures and a freeze on owners’ credit ratings,” she said.
Adam Bandt MP said:
“No one should be forced onto the streets during a pandemic. These approaches by the states are a good step towards keeping a roof over everyone’s heads through this crisis, but they need to go further.
“Even when faced with the prospect of thousands of renters being unable to pay their rent, state and territory governments have heavily weighted their response in favour of landlords.
“As it stands, renters face being saddled with thousands of dollars of debt.
“Telling renters to ‘work it out’ with their landlords doesn’t mean much when landlords hold all the cards.
“While some landlords are wondering whether their investment properties will turn a profit this year, renters are wondering whether they’ll be able to eat this week. It shouldn’t be difficult for governments to figure out who needs the most help.”
Financial support to help Australian exporters bounce back
Australian exporters impacted by the COVID-19 crisis will now have access to business-saving loans between $250,000 and $50 million under a new $500 million capital facility to be administered by Export Finance Australia.
The new COVID-19 Export Capital Facility will target loans to established and previously profitable exporters who, due to COVID-19, are unable to gain finance from commercial sources.
Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the COVID-19 Export Capital Facility would help trade-exposed businesses, including those from regional Australia and businesses in the tourism and education sectors, to get through this crisis and get to the other side.
“These are tough times for many trade-exposed businesses who have been some of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Rising export costs, disruptions to supply-chains and loss of markets are some of the factors that are making it difficult for exporters to access vital commercial finance.
“We are currently in a difficult credit environment and these loans will provide a lifeline to Australian exporters to help them maintain their operations.
“This critical financial assistance will help exporters to get back on their feet through helping to re-establish markets, or provide working capital support or help exporters purchase new equipment to expand their operations.
“Helping our export sector to get access to business-saving finance is crucial to reducing job losses through this crisis and a critical part of the ultimate economic recovery.
“These business-saving loans are in addition to the significant steps our Government has already taken to support exporters and jobs across the sector to get through these incredibly tough times.”
The COVID-19 Export Capital Facility complements other initiatives to sustain exporters, and position them to rebound quickly, including the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Guarantee Scheme that will support up to $40 billion of lending to SMEs (including sole traders and not-for-profits). Under this scheme, the Government will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans issued by eligible lenders to SME up to $250,000.
In addition to the COVID-19 Export Capital Facility, Export Finance Australia will also provide assistance to its existing customers through access to credit and financial relief.
For more information on Export Finance Australia, including how to apply for finance, visit: www.exportfinance.gov.au/covid19.
Immediate COVID-19 relief for Australian media as harmonisation reform process also kicks off
- Tax Relief – A 12-month waiver of spectrum tax for commercial television and radio broadcasters
- Investing in Regional Journalism – A $50 million Public Interest News Gathering program
- Short-Term Red Tape Relief – Emergency suspension of content quotas in 2020
- Harmonising Regulation to Support Australian Content – Release of an Options Paper developed by Screen Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority, commencing a fast-tracked consultation process on how best to support Australian stories on our screens
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said “Many Australians are doing it tough right now and the media sector is sharing that pain, especially in regional areas. Broadcasters and newspapers face significant financial pressure and COVID-19 has led to a sharp downturn in advertising revenue across the whole sector.
“We are acting to offer urgent short-term support to the media sector. At the same time we are progressing our December 2019 commitment to consult on the future framework to support Australian stories on our screens.”
The Morrison Government will provide $41 million in spectrum tax rebates, offering immediate financial relief to commercial television and radio broadcasters across Australia.
The new $50 million Public Interest News Gathering (PING) program will support public interest journalism delivered by commercial television, newspaper and radio businesses in regional Australia. PING is funded with $13.4 million in new money as well as repurposing unallocated funds from the Government’s Regional and Small Publishers Jobs and Innovation Package (RSPJIP). This responds to the ACCC’s recommendation, in its Digital Platforms Inquiry, to enhance the RSPJIP to better support high quality news, particularly in regional and remote Australia.
“The Government recognises that public interest journalism is essential in informing and strengthening local communities,” Minister Fletcher said.
COVID-19 has effectively halted production of Australian screen content, making it impossible for free-to-air and subscription television businesses to meet Australian content obligations.
“As an emergency red tape reduction measure, I have suspended Australian drama, children’s and documentary content obligations on free-to-air and subscription television for 2020. A decision will be taken before the end of this year as to whether this suspension should continue in 2021.
“It remains critically important that we have Australian voices on Australian TV, so there will be no change to the requirement for broadcasters to meet an overall 55 per cent Australian content obligation,” Minister Fletcher said.
The Government is accelerating its work to determine the future extent of Australian content obligations on free-to-air television broadcasters, and whether these should apply to streaming services. This work is critical to the future of the culturally and economically important Australian film and television production sector.
To guide this work, the Government is today releasing an Options Paper, developed by Screen Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Consultation with key stakeholders, including ministerial roundtables, will occur over the next eight weeks.
“I want to thank ACMA and Screen Australia for their detailed, evidence-based study of the state of the Australian film and television sector, which carefully considers the cultural and economic importance of screen stories, the regulatory framework, and the support the Government provides to the screen sector through a range of mechanisms and policy settings,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Regulated free-to-air broadcasters are competing with unregulated digital platforms and video streaming services. It has been evident for some time – and the COVID-19 crisis has made it even more obvious – that this is not sustainable.
“These arrangements threaten the sustainability of television broadcasters – and in turn the sustainability of the film and television content production sector.
“That is why I want to seek industry feedback on the options put forward by ACMA and Screen Australia, and work with industry on a plan for the future, including how to best secure the market opportunity created by the explosion of streaming services.
“We need to re-emerge from COVID-19 with a regulatory framework suited to the twenty-first century that recognises today’s competitive landscape – where television broadcasters compete with streaming services and a myriad of other internet-based businesses – and which positions both the television sector and the content production sector for a sustainable future,” Mr Fletcher said.
More information about the measures announced today, as well as a copy of the Options Paper, can be found at www.communications.gov.au/media_package.
IMF Expects Australia’s Economic Growth to Rebound
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects economic growth in Australia to rebound despite the global economy facing a downturn “far worse than during the 2009 global financial crisis” as a result of the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
The IMF is forecasting the global economy to fall by 3.0 per cent in 2020 which compares to a fall of 0.1 per cent in 2009 at the height of the global financial crisis.
Economic growth in Australia is projected by the IMF to fall by 6.7 per cent in 2020 as the world deals with the economic fallout from the coronavirus. However, the IMF is forecasting Australia to grow by 6.1 per cent in 2021, faster than the economies of the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The Morrison Government has taken decisive action to protect Australians and the economy from the effects of the coronavirus, with Government support for the economy totalling $320 billion or 16.4 per cent of GDP.
The $130 billion JobKeeper payment will help keep more Australians in jobs as we tackle the significant economic impact from the coronavirus. In the absence of the JobKeeper payment, Treasury estimates the unemployment rate would be 5 percentage points higher and would peak at around 15 per cent in the September quarter.
The IMF also notes that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) responded quickly to worsening risk sentiment by injecting $90 billion into the financial system to support small and medium businesses to deal with the economic challenges that are being caused by the spread of the coronavirus.
Our disciplined economic and budget management saw Standard and Poor’s last week reaffirm Australia’s AAA’s credit rating, noting that “while fiscal stimulus measures will soften the blow presented by the COVID-19 outbreak and weigh heavily on public finances in the immediate future, they won’t structurally weaken Australia’s fiscal position.”
Australia approaches this crisis from a position of economic strength. The Federal Budget returned to balance for the first time in 11 years and Australia’s debt to GDP is about a quarter of what it is in the United States or United Kingdom, and about one seventh of what it is in Japan.
Our measures are temporary, targeted and proportionate to the challenge we face and will ensure Australia bounces back stronger on the other side, without undermining the structural integrity of the budget whilst maintaining our commitment to medium term fiscal sustainability.
NSW GOVERNMENT TO BOOST RESILIENCE IN REGIONAL NSW AMID COVID-19
Vital infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked in regional NSW to help local industries, councils and communities rebuild and recover from the impacts of drought, bushfire and COVID-19.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said more than $100 million of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package will go towards the expansion of plantation nurseries to boost production, infrastructure repairs in State forests, the rebuild of local showgrounds, and vital upgrades to regional hospitals, courthouses and Aboriginal housing.
“The NSW Government is responding to the needs of regional communities and this funding will help to protect jobs, support business, upgrade infrastructure and support the regions’ most vulnerable,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Regional NSW has done it incredibly tough over the past few years with the worst drought on record, unprecedented bushfire and now COVID-19 taking its toll, so it is important our regional communities get the backing they deserve to get them through this difficult period.
“This funding will protect vital jobs and production in forestry areas badly impacted by bushfire and deliver essential upgrades to almost 170 showgrounds around the state, where our local agriculture sector gathers to showcase produce and achievements.”
Funding committed under the COVID-19 stimulus package includes:
- $46 million as an equity injection into Forestry Corporation to repair damaged public infrastructure, and expand Blowering and Grafton nurseries and begin planting activities in bushfire affected State forests.
- $25 million for local councils to rebuild and refurbish infrastructure for up to 171 local showgrounds.
- $20 million to Aboriginal Housing for minor projects and maintenance across NSW.
- $9.5 million to Health to accelerate regional hospital minor projects and maintenance.
- $9 million to the Stronger Communities Cluster to accelerate minor projects and maintenance on assets such as regional courthouses and correctional facilities.
For more information, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Teenage boys charged following police pursuit – Newcastle
Two teenage boys will face court today after an alleged pursuit through Newcastle overnight.
About 3.35am today (Wednesday 15 April 2020), officers from Newcastle City Police District were patrolling Parkway Avenue, Cooks Hill, when they observed a black Volvo SUV driving at speed – police will allege the vehicle was stolen from a Merewether property earlier that morning.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle for a random breath test but the vehicle drove onto Union Street and police initiated a pursuit – this was terminated a minute later due to safety concerns.
An hour later, police patrolling the area observed the black Volvo SUV travelling along Parkway Avenue, Cooks Hill, when they attempted to stop the vehicle and it drove off at speed.
A second pursuit was initiated, which continued through several streets in Cooks Hill, with the vehicle allegedly travelling at speeds of 110km/hr in a sign-posted 40km/hr zone.
At the intersection of Watt and Darby Streets, the vehicle lost control and hit a tree.
Police arrested two teenage boys – aged 14 and 15 – a short time later and they were taken to Newcastle Police Station.
The 15-year-old boy was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously and drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.
The 14-year-old boy was charged with custody of knife in public place and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
Both were refused bail to face a children’s court today (Wednesday 15 April 2020).