National Cabinet raises overseas arrival cap 19/9/2020 (See translation in Arabic section) Canberra - M E Times Int'l: The National Cabinet met to discuss the COVID-19 response, recent progress following the Victorian outbreak, easing restrictions (including international border measures), helping Australians prepare to go back to work in a COVID-safe environment and getting the economy moving again. The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, provided an update on the latest epidemiological data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19 with more than 26,800 confirmed cases in Australia and 837 deaths. National Cabinet reaffirmed a suppression strategy for COVID-19 with the goal of no community transmission and recommitted to supporting Victoria. In other news: ● There was an update from Lieutenant General John Frewen, Head of the Defence COVID-19 Taskforce, on the contribution of the Australian Defence Force to the national pandemic response, particularly relating to supporting states and territories. ● Increasing the current caps on international passenger arrivals for Australians returning home. NSW and South Australia will raise their arrival caps by Monday, September 28, by 500 and 100 respectively; Queensland and Western Australia will adopt a two-stage increase over the next three weeks that will see an additional 500 Australians return each week. Queensland will allow 200 more passengers from Monday, increasing to 500 passengers from Monday, October 5 while WA will accept 200 more passengers from Monday and 500 more October 12; ● Domestic airlines to implement mandatory contact tracing data fields from October 1. ● A review by Dr Alan Finkel and Commodore Mark Hill on lessons learnt from the visit to Health NSW by Commonwealth and Victorian officials will be used to strengthen capacity and capability to effectively track, trace and isolate COVID-19. Further, National Cabinet agreed to commission a report by Dr Finkel to enable jurisdictions to exchange case and outbreak management data. National Cabinet was updated by Jane Halton on a review of hotel quarantine systems. National Cabinet noted the progress on the implementation of the Agriculture Workers Code, by Victoria, NSW, ACT and Northern Territory by at least September 25. National Cabinet will meet again on Friday, October 16. 
$2 billion to extend critical health services for six months Canberra: Millions of Australians will continue to receive medical care and support in their own homes with the Morrison Government investing more than $2 billion to extend a range of COVID-19 health measures for a further six months, to 31 March 2021. Medicare-subsidised telehealth and pathology services, GP-led respiratory clinics, home medicines delivery, public and private hospital services will all be extended, as well as further investments in PPE. Patients will continue to have access to Medicare-subsidised telehealth for general practitioner, nursing, midwifery, allied health and allied mental health services, where and when they need them. Telehealth is also being extended for essential specialist services, such as consultant physician, geriatrician, and neurosurgery services. Bulk billing will continue to be available and regular billing practices will apply to all of these services. Patients will continue to have access to bulk-billed COVID-19 tests under Medicare, with aged care residents and staff getting priority access to rapid testing. 
Government should hold Business Summits in Western Sydney, the Illawarra, Newcastle and rural and regional areas Sydney: NSW Shadow Treasurer Walt Secord is calling on the Government to hold COVID-19 business summits in Western Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and rural and regional areas. Mr Secord made the remarks after participating in the bipartisan 2020 Sydney Summer Summit at Circular Quay – hosted by NSW Treasury with the participation of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore. “The impact and effects of COVID are not limited to the CBD economy. I want to see the Government hold business summits in Parramatta, the Illawarra, the Hunter, and in rural and regional NSW,” Mr Secord said. “There is no better education for a political leader than to hear from business leaders directly. 
Secret way protests are being organised Melbourne: Anti-lockdown protesters are again trying to outsmart police by using encrypted messaging to conceal the location of illegal rallies across Melbourne. The police force is facing a third weekend of trying to break up illegal protests with multiple demonstrations planned for Saturday and Sunday. It comes after 74 people were arrested and 176 fined for breaching the chief health officer’s restrictions at a protest at Queen Victoria Market last Sunday. The rallies have been marred by ugly and violent clashes between police and protesters. Organisers are potentially eyeing off another location this weekend, with police likely to have a heavy presence at the Shrine of Remembrance, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the market, which have been the locations of previous demonstrations. 
Man charged with making death threats against Palaszczuk and her chief health officer Brisbane: A Queensland man has been charged after allegedly making death threats against Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young. A 43-year-old Gold Coast man has been charged with one count of using a carriage service to make a threat to kill – which allegedly stemmed from Sarah Caisip’s case, who pleaded with the state government to attend her father’s funeral. The 26-year-old’s request was denied, but she was instead permitted to view his body in private. 
‘Lies are being told everywhere’: Alan Jones Sydney: Alan Jones says there is no evidence to justify the suffering, the lockdown and the enforced wearing of masks because the coronavirus curve “couldn't be flatter” in Australia. “Where is the evidence that has frightened people into believing they are all at risk?” Mr Jones said. “There is none”. Mr Jones said why isn’t “the Constitution being defended". “Why has Australia become victim of the unlawful behaviour of governments?" He said, “lies are being told everywhere”. Mr Jones also said today marks the day “Melbourne's lockdown will surpass the length of that which happened in Wuhan”. “The residents of Melbourne's North and Western suburbs have clocked up 11 weeks in isolation”. He said Melbourne is the only place in the world with measures such as this. 
New Birth Certificate gives adopted people choice Sydney: For the first time in NSW history adopted people will now have the option to have both their birth and adopted families included on a birth certificate. Attorney General Mark Speakman said this is a significant milestone for adopted people in NSW, as yesterday the Parliament passed legislation enabling a person’s history before and after adoption to be recorded on an integrated birth certificate (IBC). “This reform is not just symbolic; it reflects NSW’s contemporary open adoption policy,” Mr Speakman said. “Connections between birth and adopted families are encouraged under modern practices so that children are able to better understand their background and heritage. “An IBC reflects this approach as it records the names of both the birth and adoptive parents and siblings on the one document. 
Queensland to open up to ACT from September 25 Brisbane: Queensland will lift its border restrictions to ACT residents from September 25. “This is great news for the ACT and is recognition of the fact they have been sometime now without any active cases,” Health Minister Steven Miles said. The border will be open to Canberrans from 1:00 am next Friday. Queensland recorded no new coronavirus cases overnight and there are 25 active cases. 
American media ‘grossly underestimating’ Donald Trump The US media has “grossly underestimated” President Donald Trump’s chance of victory in the November election according to former US naval intelligence officer John Jordan. “That’s something they’re going to come to regret,” he told Sky News. “The polls are very much tightening, and they’re inside of the margin of error. “And those are the national polls, now President Trump naturally does better in the battleground states because they are more republican.” Mr Jordan pointed out Pennsylvania and Florida have both experienced a net increase in Republicans since the 2016 election. 
FBI director says Russia is interfering in US election to ‘denigrate’ Joe Biden FBI Director Christopher Wray says Russia has been engaging in “very active” interference in the 2020 US election – primarily to “denigrate” Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Mr Wray testified before the House Homeland Security Committee where he said Russia was using social media, proxies, state media and online journals to “sow divisiveness and discord” in the country. President Trump and several other top officials have been downplaying the reports Russia is trying to help him win – after similar claims surrounded the 2016 contest against Hillary Clinton. Instead, President Trump’s camp claims China is meddling to elect Mr Biden. |
