Dr Richard Di Natale has today called on the Australian government to urgently release its COVID-19 modelling in the face of confusing and fragmented advice from state premiers, first ministers and the commonwealth.
“COVID-19 is presenting an unprecedented public health threat, and Australians are understandably extremely concerned,” Dr Di Natale, Greens health spokesperson said today.
“In establishing the ‘National Cabinet’ of states, territories and the commonwealth, the government told us they would be providing people with clear, consistent advice on how to protect themselves and their communities, as well as a coordinated national public health response.
“That consistency has now evaporated, with Australians in each state receiving conflicting advice.
“In a time of crisis Australians are looking for strong, clear leadership and consistency of message. This weekend we saw states and territories going it alone and a PM floundering to catch up.
“It is now time for the government to follow the UK’s example and publicly release the data and modelling that they are working from so that Australians can understand the extent of the situation and have what they need to make well-informed decisions.
“While it is clear this is a rapidly evolving situation with a great many unknowns, access to this information is essential to providing people greater clarity on the unfolding crisis and the link between the modelling and the government’s response.
As a public health specialist, Dr Di Natale worked on influenza pandemic planning in Victoria before entering politics, was part of Australia’s disease surveillance system and visited West Africa during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
Month: March 2020
Lack of wage, job guarantees already starting to bite: Greens
The Greens have said that today’s Depression-era job queues follow the Morrison Government’s failure to link its billions in stimulus payments to wage and job subsidies, urging the Government to reconsider its cancelling of Parliament so that the mess can be fixed up.
“The Greens pushed for a jobs and wages guarantee, because we know that every job we save now is a job we don’t need to recreate after this crisis is over,” said Greens Leader Adam Bandt.
“Depression-era challenges need a depression-era response, but instead we got a trickle-down stimulus with no jobs and wages guarantees.
“The government listened to the Greens when we said students needed support, the not-for-profit sector needed to be included in the stimulus package and that Newstart was too low. They should listen to us again and immediately implement jobs and wages guarantees, like we’re seeing in the UK.
“As casual work in hospitality and retail dries up, the Greens were pleased to get students the extra support they need, but carers and people on the Disability Support Pension are being left behind.
“Parliament may need to sit again in the next few weeks to fix the government’s stimulus package.
“Cancelling Parliament isn’t just a danger to democracy, it will get in the way of economic recovery. We need more democracy, not less, during this crisis. Parliament should sit again, if safe to do so, so that we can fix the holes in the government’s stimulus package.
“Australians also deserve a clear explanation of how the government will massively increase the number of intensive care beds. The availability of ICU beds and respirators will literally be the difference between life and death for many people, but we’re on track to run out of beds soon.”
Greens call for urgent nation-wide extension of workers compensation benefits to cover COVID-19
Too many workers don’t have leave entitlements to allow them to economically survive a diagnosis of COVID-19. Frontline staff in people-facing industries are among the most vulnerable, given the required interactions with hundreds of people a day, but often have few legal protections should one of these interactions make them sick.
Greens MPs are moving across the country to extend workers compensation coverage to workers who contract or are suspected to have contracted COVID-19.
The Bills, the first of which has just been introduced in the NSW Parliament, will apply to full time, part time, contract and casual workers. This bill will cover:
- workers who are off work having been diagnosed with COVID-19
- workers who are self-isolated and awaiting COVID-19 test results
- casual workers who are tested for, or diagnosed with, COVID-19 within 21 days of last working, and
- workers who die from COVID-19.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:
“The Greens want to ensure that workers affected by coronavirus get supported through this crisis and this is a very straightforward proposal that all other political parties at State and Federal levels can support.
“Hundreds of thousands of people will be off work in connection with the coronavirus because they’re sick, in self-isolation or their workplace has had an incident.
“Governments are scrambling to support workers in this time of crisis, but part of the solution is right before their eyes.
“If we change the law so that sick or coronavirus-affected workers are automatically entitled to existing workers’ compensation schemes, they will maintain an income without imposing costs on their employer.
“This simple move also means we don’t have to create new payment systems and the delays that can come with that, because we’re using well-known and proven institutions who know how to get money to workers when they need it.”
Greens MP and spokesperson for workers’ right David Shoebridge said:
“We can and we must act urgently to provide far more protection for workers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“So many workers in industries like retail, hospitality and the entertainment sector, are employed as casuals and without these protections if they fall sick they will get nothing.
“The Federal and state governments are providing stimulus packages and bailouts to businesses, they must now act to protect workers.
“No worker should suffer a financial cost because they got sick at work or have to isolate after attending work.
“The Greens are calling on all political parties to support these changes and act now before the COVID-19 crisis is at its peak’.
“All states and territories should consider introducing similar legislation, the COVID-19 crisis is a bigger challenge than anything we’ve seen in our lifetime, this is not a time for half measures.”
Update on Coronavirus Measures
Australian governments are working together to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives.
Every extra bit of time allows us to better prepare our health system and put measures in place to protect Australian lives.
We will be living with this virus for at least six months, so social distancing measures to slow this virus down must be sustainable for at least that long to protect Australian lives, allow Australia to keep functioning and keep Australians in jobs.
The Prime Minister, state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers met on 24 March 2020 as the National Cabinet.
We are leading the world on testing with more than 161,000 Australians tested and around 2,000 Australians confirmed cases. In contrast to many countries, the majority of Australian cases of coronavirus have been from people returning overseas or direct contacts with people who had been overseas.
However, National Cabinet noted that there has been a significant growth in the number of cases in Australia, with a significant number of Australians returning from overseas and small community outbreaks associated with returned travellers.
National Cabinet reiterated that practicing good hygiene and keeping a healthy physical distance between individuals is our most powerful weapon in fighting this virus and saving lives.
The highest priority should be placed on social isolation measures as well as strict and rapid contact tracing of individuals. It is paramount that contact tracing occur quickly and thoroughly and that public data is available to support this effort.
Leaders again call on all Australian to do their bit to save the lives of other Australians.
Australians should stay at home, unless shopping for essentials, travelling to and from work – where you cannot work from home, going to school and exercising. Keep visitors to your home at a minimum. In outdoor spaces do not congregate in groups.
Leaders thank those members of the public who are adhering to social distancing measures. However, leaders expressed their disappointment at some members of the community who are disregarding social distancing measures and, by doing so, putting the lives of older and vulnerable Australians at risk.
Ban on Australians travelling overseas
Leaders noted that the Commonwealth Government will implement a ‘do not travel’ ban on Australians travelling overseas under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
This will help avoid travellers returning to Australia with coronavirus and the risks of spreading coronavirus to other countries.
Exemptions, which will be managed by the Australian Border Force, will apply to a range of categories of travellers, including for those citizens ordinarily resident overseas, where travel is essential or necessary, where travel is in our national interest, and on compassionate and humanitarian grounds.
This prohibition is aligned with the Government’s decision to raise the Smartraveller Travel Advice to Level 4 – Do Not Travel overseas.
Clarification of current measures and new measures
If we want to slow the spread of the virus, everyone must implement appropriate social distancing in accordance with state and territory laws.
National Cabinet agreed to new and enhanced social distance measures, building on the existing measures that are in place.
National Cabinet confirmed and clarified the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice regarding the requirements of previously announced measures, in particular those related to non-essential gatherings and outdoor gatherings.
National Cabinet will meet again on Wednesday 25 March 2020.
Additional prohibited activities and venues to apply from 11.59pm (local time) 25 March 2020
| Business, premises or place | Exceptions |
| Food and drink | |
| Cafes | Takeaway service and home delivery Cafés or canteens at hospitals, care homes or schools; prison and military canteens; services providing food or drink to the homeless, workplace canteens can provide takeaway |
| Food courts | Delivery and takeaway can remain operational |
| Retail | |
| Auction houses | |
| Real estate auctions and open house inspections | Private appointments for inspection |
| Outdoor and indoor markets will be a decision for each state and territory | Food markets will continue to operate in all states and territories |
| Beauty and personal care services | |
| Hairdressers and barber shops | Up to 30 minute appointments and the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies in the premises |
| Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours | |
| Spas and massage parlours | |
| Entertainment venues | |
| Cinemas, nightclubs | |
| Casinos, gaming or gambling venues | |
| Strip clubs, brothels and sex on premises venues | |
| Concert venues, theatre, arenas, auditoriums, stadiums | Live streaming of a performance by a small group could be permissible with social distancing observed |
| Amusement parks and arcades | |
| Play centres (indoor and outdoor) | |
| Leisure and recreation | |
| Community and recreation centres | Facilities may remain open for the purpose of hosting essential voluntary or public services, such as food banks or homeless services. |
| Health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin facilities, saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres | |
| Boot camps, personal training operating outside and inside | For outside events, limited to groups of no more than 10 people and social distancing must be exercised. |
| Social sporting-based activities | |
| Swimming pools | |
| Residential facilities | |
| Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, caravan parks, and boarding houses will be a decision for each state and territory | Excluding permanent residents and workers. |
| Outdoor recreation | |
| Caravan and camping parks will be a decision for each state and territory | Where people live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes where their primary residence is not available, they may continue to do so. |
| Non-residential institutions | |
| Galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites | |
| Libraries, community centres, and youth centres | |
| Local government non-essential facilities and services (such as libraries and pools) | |
| Community facilities (such as community halls, clubs, RSLs, PCYCs); | |
| Places of worship, weddings and funerals | Weddings with a maximum attendance of no more than 5 people and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies. Funerals attended by a maximum of no more than 10 people and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies. |
Action to prevent price gouging and exportation of critical sanitary and medical products
The Commonwealth Government will take action to help prevent exploitative price gouging and exporting products that are essential to preventing and controlling the spread of coronavirus.
These measures will help prevent individuals purchasing goods including face masks, hand sanitiser and vital medicines and either re-selling them at significant mark-ups or exporting them overseas in bulk, which prevents these goods from reaching people who need them in Australia.
These measures will not be designed to affect normal consumer buying of goods, commercial imports and exports, or other appropriate bulk sales.
City to support Newcastle’s community and economic resilience with comprehensive COVID-19 plan
City of Newcastle has developed a comprehensive community and business support package designed to help locals through the unprecedented effects of COVID-19.
The package, which has been designed to maintain the organisation’s financial sustainability, is initially worth $5.5 million in the short term and includes interest free payment plans for rates, rent reductions on council-owned buildings, free online training packages, and a boost to the City’s infrastructure program to deliver an economic stimulus.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the package, which was adopted at last night’s Council meeting, delivers both financial and social support to ensure Newcastle remains resilient during this challenging time.
“We understand that every business is suffering enormously from the impacts of COVID-19 and will likely be affected for the foreseeable future,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It’s imperative, now more than ever, that we work together.
“Our resilience package has been informed by experts and seeks to focus on areas where local government has a clear strength and mandate.
“Many in in our community are facing unemployment and the elderly may become more isolated for the next few months as they minimise their risk of exposure to COVID-19.
“We will further promote City of Newcastle’s existing financial hardship policies and make it easier for rate payers to enter interest free payment arrangements.
“The City will also offer free access to digital training resources for all small business owners and their staff, as well as the broader community, to enable the upskilling and transformation of the workforce during the predicted time of slow economic activity.”
A City Taskforce, led by the City of Newcastle will be established to act as the local coordinating authority to oversee the future recovery phases of COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
The City will also assist not for profit organisations and will expand its e-library offering in a commitment to support community wellbeing and the most vulnerable and emerging at-risk groups.
Cr Nelmes said the package included enhancing City of Newcastle’s ‘buy local’ commitment.
“Businesses within the Newcastle Local Government Area will be favoured with a temporary change to the procurement policy which further enhances the assessment weighting for locals.
“We will also fast track our invoice payment to provide improved cash-flow for businesses and to keep the economy ticking.
“A 50 per cent discount will be given on rent for all City-owned buildings for the June quarter lifting the pressure for dozens of local businesses and community organisations.
“We are embracing community thinking. The City of Newcastle is a community that cares and looks after each other. We will continue to promote and facilitate equitable access to services and facilities.”
For further information on City of Newcastle’s response to COVID-19 please see newcastle.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19
Community and Economic Package Overview
Financial Hardship Support – $468,000
The City will provide financial hardship support for residents to develop payment plans for their rates. All fees and charges including interest penalties will be waived until 30 June 2021. It will also offer hardship support for owner occupier commercial ratepayers or commercial property owners who can demonstrate the reduction will be passed onto their tenants.
Procurement and Purchasing Support – $535,000
Our existing procurement policy includes a minimum local weighting assessment of 10 per cent. Where possible, this weighting will be increased for the next six months. Invoices from existing contracts with local suppliers will be processed within seven days as soon as approved.
Council support – $1,500,000
The City will give businesses and individuals flexibility on a range of Council fees and policies to ease pressures relating to COVID-19. This will allow essential businesses and service providers to operate responsively to the City’s changing needs in line with the latest advice from the NSW Government and Federal Government. Includes the waiving of library fees, returning booking fees and maintaining hourly parking rates at current levels.
Rent relief for City of Newcastle tenants – $732,000
Small businesses operating out of council owned buildings will receive a cash flow relief with the City offering a 50 per cent discount on rent for the next two quarters.
e-Library expansion – $100,000
Expansion of existing e-Library services including e-book and e-audio platforms, video story, movie and music streaming platforms, access to online newspapers and e-magazines.
Online learning – Studiosity and Lynda – $60,000
Promote existing online training programs, such as Lynda, as well as expanding our subscription to Studiosity, which provides one-on-one tutoring for school and tertiary students.
Community grant program – $800,000
The City will make financial and in-kind support available to mobilise the Newcastle community sector to respond to immediate community need, with a focus on the most vulnerable and emerging at risk groups. An Expression of Interest process will also be opened for Newcastle-based not-for-profits, non government organisations, community groups and organisations to receive funds to deliver essential local services and innovative solutions to COVID-19 created challenges.
City taskforce and industry responses – $500,000
A City Taskforce, led by the City of Newcastle will be established to act as the local coordinating authority to oversee the future recovery phases of COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The Taskforce will initially fund an Expression of Interest program to provide innovative support to targeted local industries.
Lean In Newy – $150,000
“Lean-In Newy” is a social action and economic incentive app that will engage and propel local behaviours, such as volunteering. The platform will enable social actions to be pushed out to our local community, with built-in economic incentives.
Local online training programs – $500,000
Council will support local small business owners and staff to undertake professional development training and accreditation.
Communications and marketing budget is $100,000
Council update Tuesday 24 March
Following is a summary of the Ordinary Council Meeting for Tuesday 24 March 2020. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minute
A Lord Mayoral Minute to develop a Community and Economic Resilience package to assist Novocastrians through this period of unprecedented disruption caused by COVID-19 was supported.
A report on the proposed package was presented to council and adopted. City of Newcastle in consultation with key stakeholders has developed a two-phase community and economic resilience package in response to the evolving COVID-19 crisis which will be implemented.
Ordinary business
Public Exhibition of Draft Our Budget 2020/21 (Delivery Program 2018 -2022 and operational plan 2020/21) and draft fees and charges 2020/21
Council resolved to place the draft 2020/21 Our Budget (2018-2022 Delivery Program and 2020/21 Operational Plan) on public exhibition.
Appointment of voting delegate for the 2020 National General Assembly of Local Government and Endorsement of motions.
Council has voted to appoint the Lord Mayor or delegate to exercise Council’s voting rights at the 2020 Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly. The Australian Local Government Association is the national voice of local government, representing 537 Councils across the country.
Adoption of Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy
Council has voted to adopt the Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy and Implementation Plan.
Proposed road closures – 35 Robert Street and 22 Annie Street, Wickham
Council voted to close a section of road reserve at John Street, Wickham, and sell the land as two separate parcels. The sale revenue will be transferred to City of Newcastle’s ‘Works Program: Specific Projects’ internal reserve.
Executive Monthly Performance Report
Council has received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for February 2020.
Notices of Motion
Submission to review Disability Inclusion Act
A Notice of Motion to prepare a submission to the NSW Government’s Review of the Disability Inclusion Act was supported by council.
The submission will support ongoing funding to Newcastle based disability advocacy organisations (including Disability Advocacy NSW and Community Disability Alliance Hunter) and will convey its concern regarding the lack of NSW Government funding to implement the mandated Disability Inclusion Action Plans, that are required under the Act.
The submission will also note the impacts of the changing demographic profile of Newcastle, including its ageing population, which increases pressure on local government to provide accessible services without any additional Government funding.
The Future for Waste
A Notice of Motion on the Future of Waste was supported by councillors. The NOM notes the release of two Issues Papers (Cleaning Up Our Act – The Future for Waste and Resource Recovery in NSW and Redirecting the Future of Plastic in NSW) by the NSW Government. It also notes that City of Newcastle paid $32.7 million in the s88 waste levy in the last financial year, and received $176,290 in NSW Waste Less, Recycle More grants (equal to just 0.6 per cent of waste levy paid).
Councillors voted for the City to make a submission to both Issues Papers, consistent with its previously adopted positions, encouraging the State funding to support waste avoidance and recovery, including grants to support councils with major capital, develop a local circular economy, and support for local manufacturing using recycled product and to also deliver consistent education campaigns to promote waste avoidance and recycling.
Support of Wildlife Carers
A notice of Motion to support Wildlife carers was introduced with the officer’s recommendation supported. The NSW Government was commended on the creation of The Wildlife Heroes Bushfire Emergency Fund 2019 grant program and the important work undertaken by volunteer wildlife carers to rehabilitate wildlife recognised. The supported recommendation also notes the important work undertaken by the City’s Blackbutt Reserve volunteers who focus on animal care and education activities.
Social infrastructure, the community pantry
A Notice of Motion to install a ‘community pantry’ was introduced with the officer’s recommendation supported. In consultation and collaboration with Newcastle’s network of Specialist Homelessness Service providers council will identify potential uses of community assets for the distribution of outreach hampers, parcels and vouchers. It will also explore resources and guidance on the City of Newcastle website to inform the community about grassroots initiatives aimed at helping homeless people.
COVID-19 response measures
A late Notice of Motion was introduced for Council to provide clear communications to all Newcastle residents on the steps being taken to minimise the spread of the Covid 19 virus and to discuss the provision of financial relief to Newcastle people.
Ordinary Council meeting to proceed under restricted conditions
City of Newcastle’s Ordinary Council Meeting will proceed tonight under limited and restricted conditions to meet all health and government requirements including:
The Council chamber will be limited to a capacity of 25 people with each person required to sit at least 1.5 metres apart. This will accommodate Councillors and essential staff only.
- The Hunter Room in City Hall will be set up to screen the meeting webcast for overflow attendees who are essential. This room will also have limited seating to meet the requirements of social distancing.
- The meeting time will be limited to 2 hours with the most critical items taking priority.
In the interests of their health and safety, members of the public are encouraged to access the meeting via the webcast at home as only essential attendees are permitted to attend.
Tonight’s ordinary council meeting will be webcast live from 6pm.
Cultural facilities close temporarily in line with social gathering restrictions
All City of Newcastle cultural facilities have closed until further notice but will continue to engage audiences online following a national directive to close all non-essential services to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Newcastle Art Gallery, Civic Theatre and Newcastle Museum, including the attached Newcastle Shop and Visitor Information Centre, have closed as a further public health precaution after yesterday’s temporary closure of library branches and last week’s shutdown of Fort Scratchley. The café at the Civic Theatre will remain open, serving takeaway customers only.
“While we believe that heritage and culture are important elements of a healthy community, in order for our city and organisation to focus on doing everything in our power to manage this pandemic, our cultural facilities will be closed until further notice,” Interim Director of City Wide Services Alissa Jones said.
“Our cultural facilities’ staff and volunteers know this is a difficult time for Newcastle and the rest of the world, but also understand that the technology available to most households today allows the show to go on in cyberspace.
“Accordingly, the staff and volunteers of Newcastle Museum, Fort Scratchley Historical Society, Civic Theatre and the Art Gallery have set about creating online resources, developing cultural programming and curating materials and other activities involved in caring for and promoting the City’s collections.”
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said her team drew hope and courage from the city’s history of resilience in difficult times.
“We have survived adversity in our past and we will again,” Ms Baird said.
“We will utilise this time to care for the Museum’s collection and heritage assets and focus our efforts on entertaining and informing the community in different ways until it’s safe to welcome you back in person.”
Director of Newcastle Art Gallery Lauretta Morton said the gallery looked forward to raising spirits online and via digital channels.
“During our closure, the Art Gallery team will develop new initiatives to connect to our audiences through our website and social media channels,” Ms Morton said. “We will be sharing virtual tours of exhibitions, collection highlights and behind-the-scenes videos. Our popular family ArtCart program activity sheets will also be available online.
“The Gallery plays an important role supporting the health and wellbeing of our community and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Gallery as soon as possible.”
Civic Services Manager Delia O’Hara said most Civic Theatre shows that had to be postponed had been re-scheduled.
“These include the Very Popular Theatre Company’s production of Chess, Tim Minchin’s Back and Carl Barron. Tickets are on sale for these and other future performances, both online and by phone, while our shopfront ticket office is temporarily closed, so we look forward to welcoming our audience back later in 2020.
“Over at our Visitor Information Centre (VIC), staff are hard at work preparing for the move later in the year to the newly renovated Civic Station building, which will be a vastly superior VIC that caters to Newcastle’s bright future of tourism post-COVID-19.
“Visitor information is always available at visitnewcastle.com.au.”
For further information on City of Newcastle’s response to COVID-19 please visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19
Charges laid over COVID-19 "prank" at Coffs Harbour Police Station
A man has been charged after allegedly deliberately coughing on an NSW Police Force employee while pretending to be infected with COVID-19 at Coffs Harbour.
About 2.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 24 March 2020), police will allege a man entered Coffs Harbour Police Station and approached a 71-year-old female general station officer.
Police will allege in court that the man deliberately coughed on the woman and claimed he had COVID-19, while a friend filmed the incident.
While inquiries were being made regarding the man’s claims, the police station was closed, and the necessary isolation protocols were put in place.
Upon further inquiries, it was revealed the man did not have the virus.
Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District arrested a 21-year-old man at the station, where he was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
The Coffs Harbour man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday 6 May 2020.
Man charged with high-range drink driving – Muswellbrook
A man has been charged after allegedly drink driving in the state’s Hunter region yesterday.
About 4.15pm (Tuesday 24 March 2020), Officers from Hunter Valley Police District noticed a Holden Commodore stopped in the middle of the road on the Pacific Way, Muswellbrook.
As police approached the vehicle, it allegedly drove off, before stopping on Tobruk Avenue.
The driver – a 42-year-old man – was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive reading, before being arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
The man allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.274 and was charged with high range PCA and assault police.
Police will allege in court that the man claimed he had COVID-19 and intentionally coughed at the police officer when he was asked to submit to a breath test.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 6 April 2020.