AMA vice president warns of mixed Covid messaging as ‘worse phase’ looms
Chris Moy, the vice president of the Australian Medical Association, was on ABC earlier this morning saying that Australians are receiving mixed messages from politicians rolling back Covid-19 measures when the threat is increasing.
The election gave us a false sense of security and unfortunately, to some degree, we have been like frogs boiled slowly and we are accepting this death rate which has continued on.
We are about to enter a worse phase. We have mixed messages from the politicians in the last few days, they have cut back on – they won’t return to things like the pandemic payments. They have cut back on telehealth to help GPs prescribe the antivirals and there is this discussion which I think the only thing people are hearing is we won’t do mask mandates again.
He said even though masks aren’t mandated any more, using them is a “no brainer”, offering a simple and effective mechanism to be able to prevent getting Covid-19 and the other flus and viruses around.
Key events:
West is detailing her excitement at the announcement
On 14 August, 2021, Ms Brown approved my request regarding my contract terms. I was so excited about the appointment, I immediately shared the news with my family and friends. They were so happy for me.
I began taking steps to relocate and had engaged a relocation company. I locked at rental accommodation in New York and researched colleges for my family. I thought I would be starting the new role in a matter of weeks and I wanted to have my affairs in order.
Over the next four weeks, I followed up on my written contract with human resources and legal. I was told that there was delays as Investment New South Wales was awaiting US taxation advice.
Jenny West has begun to give her evidence at the NSW Barilaro Inquiry, revealing how her appointment was confirmed via a briefing signed by then-Premier Gladys Berejiklian:
In March 2021, I moved into Investment New South Wales, an agency within the Department of Premier and Cabinet. I remained Deputy Secretary, trade and international. I reported directly to Amy Brown, who had then been appointed as CEO.
On 12 May 2021, with the support of Ms Brown, I applied for the senior trade and investment commissioner role for the Americas. I sent a cover letter of my CV to NGS Global, the external recruitment agency.
On 21 July, 2021, I appeared before the interview panel comprising Ms Brown, Mr Jim… Secretary for the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and independent panel member… And Dr Marianne Broadbent of NGS Global.
On 12 August, 2021, Ms Brown told me I was the successful candidate. She sent me a briefing signed by Premier Berejiklian, noting my appointment as senior trade and investment commissioner for the Americas.
AMA vice president warns of mixed Covid messaging as ‘worse phase’ looms
Chris Moy, the vice president of the Australian Medical Association, was on ABC earlier this morning saying that Australians are receiving mixed messages from politicians rolling back Covid-19 measures when the threat is increasing.
The election gave us a false sense of security and unfortunately, to some degree, we have been like frogs boiled slowly and we are accepting this death rate which has continued on.
We are about to enter a worse phase. We have mixed messages from the politicians in the last few days, they have cut back on – they won’t return to things like the pandemic payments. They have cut back on telehealth to help GPs prescribe the antivirals and there is this discussion which I think the only thing people are hearing is we won’t do mask mandates again.
He said even though masks aren’t mandated any more, using them is a “no brainer”, offering a simple and effective mechanism to be able to prevent getting Covid-19 and the other flus and viruses around.
Eden Gillespie
Public hearings to begin in inquiry into Queensland police’s handling of domestic and family violence
The commission of inquiry into Queensland police’s handling of domestic violence will hold its first week of public hearings today, with current and retired officers called to provide evidence.
The first week of hearings in Brisbane will examine officer training and the police’s capacity to respond to domestic violence incidents. It will also investigate the operation of the vulnerable persons unit and cultural issues within the state’s police force.
Subsequent hearings held in regional Queensland will invite experts, legal representatives, support workers and First Nations and regional officers to provide evidence.
The commission of inquiry was recommended by the state’s women’s safety and justice taskforce, which found “widespread cultural issues” affecting police responses to domestic and family violence.
Guardian Australia has written extensively about police failures related to domestic and sexual abuse victims in Queensland.
Queensland correspondent Ben Smee wrote a series of stories this month detailing concerns by former and current female officers after being sent several unpublished submissions to the inquiry.
In one submission a former officer said police chose not to pursue credible domestic violence allegations against a serving officer, after dismissing his wife as having “mental health issues”.
A Queensland police whistleblower claimed in another submission that detectives did not properly investigate the deaths of at least four First Nations women who had previously been subject to repeated violence by their partners.
Officers also spoke of widespread misogynistic behaviour, sexist comments and sexual harassment by male colleagues.
Woman who had trade commissioner role offer rescinded to give evidence at Barilaro inquiry today
Michael McGowan
A parliamentary inquiry into the appointment of former New South Wales deputy premier John Barilaro to a $500,000-a-year New York trade posting will resume today, with evidence from the woman who was first offered the job.
Jenny West was offered the job in August, only for it to be rescinded before Barilaro was eventually appointed to the plum gig.
The inquiry – one of two separate probes into the appointment – met last month when the chief executive of Investment NSW, Amy Brown, explained how West had been “extremely upset” when she was told the offer had been retracted.
Guardian Australia first revealed that the former senior public servant and businesswoman had been offered the job, despite the government insisting that “no suitable candidate” had been found for the job prior to Barilaro’s appointment.
West, we understand, raised her concerns about the appointment process in a dossier sent to the secretary of the department of premier and cabinet, Michael Coutts-Trotter. Her evidence is likely to go to those concerns.
The Uber files: explosive leak of more than 124,000 confidential documents
by Harry Davies, Simon Goodley, Felicity Lawrence, Paul Lewis and Lisa O’Carrol
A leaked trove of confidential files has revealed the inside story of how the tech giant Uber flouted laws, duped police, exploited violence against drivers and secretly lobbied governments during its aggressive global expansion.
The unprecedented leak to the Guardian of more than 124,000 documents – known as the Uber files – lays bare the ethically questionable practices that fuelled the company’s transformation into one of Silicon Valley’s most famous exports.
The leak spans a five-year period when Uber was run by its co-founder Travis Kalanick, who tried to force the cab-hailing service into cities around the world, even if that meant breaching laws and taxi regulations.
During the fierce global backlash, the data shows how Uber tried to shore up support by discreetly courting prime ministers, presidents, billionaires, oligarchs and media barons.
Keep following the Guardian for more stories to be published later today and tomorrow.
Australian navy assisting with flood clean-up efforts in NSW
The navy is among the defence agencies assisting the clean-up in flood-affected parts of NSW.
Labor indicated before the election that they would consider establishing a civilian natural disaster agency rather than use defence forces to respond to floods and bushfires.
I am proud of #OurPeople supporting local communities across Greater Sydney with flood clean-up & debris removal. One of our MH-60R helicopters also assisted in the evacuation of three residents from their home in the Kangaroo Valley as flood waters rose. #NSWFloods #AusNavy pic.twitter.com/h3UDMAqFIR
— Chief of Navy Australia (@CN_Australia) July 10, 2022
You can read more about the idea of a civilian natural disaster agency from my colleague Paul Karp here:
NSW records eight deaths from Covid-19 with 2,002 people in hospital
There were 7,586 new cases in the last reporting period, and 63 people are in intensive care.
COVID-19 update – Monday 11 July 2022
In the 24-hour reporting period to 4pm yesterday:
– 96.7% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
– 95.2% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/cxAtSKG9nj— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) July 10, 2022
Tony Burke clarifies new measures for jobseekers after launch of Workforce Australia system
Tony Burke, the minister for employment and workplace relations, has taken to social media to tell jobseekers he hasn’t been blind to the difficulties they’ve experienced following the launch of the government’s new employment services system, Workforce Australia.
First of all, thanks to those who have been sharing different challenges and fears of dealing with the new system Workforce Australia. I haven’t been tweeting much but I’ve been reading the comments. I thought it would help if I offered some specific information in response.
— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) July 10, 2022
Burke also clarified the new measures in place.
He reiterated that there will be no suspensions this month for anyone using government employment platforms Workforce Australia, ParentsNext, Transition to Work and DES.
He also said there will be no demerits or suspensions for people in flood-affected areas this month or next month.
He says Amanda Rishworth, the minister for social services, and he have “clean-slated” participants:
So if you were on the edge of receiving penalties, they have been wiped. It’s a new system and a fresh start.
You can read more about the pause on welfare penalties from Guardian Australia’s social affairs and inequality editor Luke Henriques-Gomes.
Police questioning three people after man’s body found near Brisbane train station
Three people are being questioned about the suspicious death of a man whose body was found near a train station in inner Brisbane, AAP reports.
The man’s body was found at the Valley Metro food court above the Fortitude Valley train station about 4am on Monday.
Queensland police are questioning three people about the death and have cordoned off the area as they investigate.
“There may be some interruption to rail services,” police told AAP in a statement.
95% of all Australia’s Covid cases have occurred since the New Year, according to the Medical Journal of Australia.
The authors say while the pandemic has largely faded from the news and public perception since borders opened late in 2021, “this perception doesn’t match reality”.
Tory Shepherd
Australia and Fiji will work together to re-engage Kiribati in Pacific Islands Forum, Pat Conroy says
Natasha mentioned below that Kiribati has withdrawn from the Pacific Islands Forum. The forum (known as the PIF) is a critical meeting for the region. This year climate change and China’s role in the region are sure to dominate the schedule.
Kiribati, the tiny island country, is disproportionately affected by climate change, while 1News in New Zealand reports that Beijing is suspected to be behind Kiribati’s decision. Kiribati president, Taneti Maamau, said the decision was “not taken lightly” but was taken because a range of concerns had not been addressed, including that the Micronesian leaders’ candidate for secretary general was passed over in favour of a Polynesian candidate.
Pacific minister, Pat Conroy, will go to Suva today for the PIF, and said Australia will work with Fiji to convince Kiribati to re-engage in the process.
Pacific unity is incredibly vital.
We’re very committed to Pacific unity, it’s very important … it’s a powerful voice for our region, it’s the central architecture for our region.
Conroy also said it was “not true” that Solomon Islands had blocked visas for Australian aid workers, after the Australian newspaper reported it had closed the door on Australians while opening another for Beijing. The five workers’ visa applications were complicated, he said, and had just been delayed.
AMA vice president says cutting longer telehealth consults will hamper rollout of antiviral treatments to older Australians
Chris Moy, the vice president of the Australian Medical Association, has supported the government expanding availability of antiviral Covid-19 medications, but is critical of the fact that it comes at a time when the government is cutting longer telehealth consultations.
Gov ⬆️COVID ANTIVIRAL eligibility✅. But same time hampering rollout by cutting longer ☎️ consults: Getting bad advice re REALITY of complexity of antiviral prescribing, which is working through complex contraindications/interactions to pick safe one, & how patient will get it❌ https://t.co/bWlk0cayZF
— AMA VICE PRESIDENT (@ama_vice) July 10, 2022
Minister needs to spend time with GP who actually has to prescribe antivirals and see reality of how complex it is and how long it takes, mostly for older vulnerable patients where video consults are a fantasy
— AMA VICE PRESIDENT (@ama_vice) July 10, 2022
Flood-affected NSW residents begin to return to their homes
After last week’s devastating floods in NSW the majority of victims are returning back to their homes.
The AAP reports that about 4,500 residents remained under evacuation orders on Sunday evening, down from about 37,000 the previous night.
The SES have indicated that most jobs at the moment have been animal rescues (including miniature horses), medical assistance and resupplying isolated communities.
In the 24 hours to Sunday evening, the State Emergency Service had responded to 355 calls for help and performed 13 rescues.
Aboriginal flag to permanently replace NSW flag on Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Aboriginal flag is set to replace the NSW flag as the government abandons plans to install a third flagpole.
The state premier, Dominic Perrottet, said flying the Aboriginal flag alongside the Australian and NSW state flags was an important gesture towards closing the gap, but the measure attracted questions after he revealed a third flagpole came with a $25m price tag.
I am incredibly proud to announce that the Aboriginal Flag will now permanently fly on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Such a fitting way to end NAIDOC Week 2022, the Aboriginal Flag will stand forever next to the Australian Flag on one of our nation’s most iconic structures. pic.twitter.com/dm521pqY4B
— Ben Franklin (@BenFranklinNats) July 10, 2022
Emissions target will not be raised from election commitment, Pat Conroy says
Climate change is set to be a focus of the forum. Asked if he would consider raising climate targets, Conroy stated the “election commitment is what we’ll implement”, but reiterated that the government’s “renewed and increased action of climate change has been welcomed”.
He said Vanuatu’s push to bring climate justice before the UN’s international court of justice was an important initiative to reduce major emitters into the future.
He said that Australia’s stance on climate refugees would need to be considered in the future, potentially in the same way that New Zealand is looking at specific measures to allow climate refugees into their country.
‘Strong desire’ to see regional approach to China restored in Pacific, says Conroy
Conroy has said the central architecture of the Pacific needs strengthening.
Asked whether the conditions China is asking of Australia are reasonable, Conroy says there is a “strong desire” to see a regional approach reinstated rather than than individual countries making decisions.
He has also said that reports that Solomon Islands has blocked Australian aid workers are“not true”, and that it is a matter of a delay in processing the visas.
In light of the withdrawal of Kiribati from the forum, Conroy said “unity is important”, and they are working hard to not lose the country’s participation.
Pat Conroy on Pacific’s key message: security must come from within
Pat Conroy, the minister for international development and the Pacific, is on ABC Radio discussing the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum.
Conroy says that “key message” he’s hearing from Australia’s Pacific neighbours, and which he supports, is that Pacific security should come from within the region.
He said Pacific nations need to look to within the region to meet their security needs, and only look to neighbours when they aren’t met.
Good morning
It’s Monday and more Australians will be able to access Covid-19 treatments from today as another wave of cases continues to drive up hospitalisation.
People over 70 who test positive will be able to access antivirals on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. These treatments, if taken soon after symptoms appear, can prevent Covid from developing into severe disease. Those over 30 will be able to get a fourth Covid-19 vaccine from today, with people over 50 recommended to get the extra dose.
The Pacific Islands Forum is due to begin this week in Suva, with the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, due to attend later in the week.
The forum, which is the key diplomatic body in the Pacific, has been dealt a devastating blow on the eve of its first in-person meeting since the pandemic, as Kiribati announced it would be withdrawing.
After last week’s devastating floods in NSW, many residents are now returning to their homes. As of last night, 4,500 people remained under evacuation orders, down from approximately 37,000 the previous night.
I’m Natasha May and feel free to reach out if there’s something you think needs to be on the blog – on Twitter @natasha__may or email natasha.may@theguardian.com.
Let’s get into it.