NSW MP caught staying at holiday home9/4/2020(See Translation in Arabic section) Sydney - M E Times Int'l: New South Wales Arts Minister Don Harwin has been caught ignoring the Prime Minister's stay-at-home directive. The Liberal powerbroker was pictured staying at his Central Coast holiday house, almost 100 kilometres from his Sydney home. The Minister said he wanted fresh air and his beachside house had more space than his inner-city apartment. NSW Labor has demanded NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian sack NSW Upper House leader and Arts Minister Don Harwin for defying her and the Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s repeated calls on Sydneysiders to remain here over Easter to avoid the spread of COVID-19. “Social distancing is about saving laws. But Mr Harwin is not above the law. Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Arts Minister Walt Secord said. “The Premier must act; remove this minister and make a clear example out of him.” 
Parliament passes $130bn economic lifeline Canberra: The largest rescue package in Australian history has passed Parliament, with $130 billion to be pumped into keeping around six million Australians in jobs. Eligible businesses will receive a flat rate wage subsidy worth $1,500 for each worker they employ. Businesses which do not pass this on to their staff could face a fine of up to $600,000. Labor tried and failed to extend the package to an additional one million casuals who fell through the cracks. But the government again re-iterated those left behind can apply for the boosted JobSeeker welfare payment. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg lauded the package, which will kick in from the start of May. 
Some NSW coronavirus restrictions could be eased next month, Premier says Sydney: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the state's tough coronavirus social-distancing rules could be relaxed as early as next month. She described social distancing as "a way of life" that would remain until a COVID-19 vaccine was found. When asked today about the chances of the restrictions being eased on May 1, she said that was possible, and that the laws would be assessed on a month-by-month basis, based on health advice. "If the advice in a couple of weeks is that there might be a couple of aspects that we can tweak to provide relief to our citizens, well then, we'll take that advice," she said. 
$100M support for health workers to fight COVID-19 Sydney: NSW frontline healthcare workers will be provided with free accommodation to protect their loved ones as part of $100 million in extra measures to support frontline staff battling COVID-19. The NSW Government is allocating almost $60 million to provide doctors, nurses, paramedics and other hospital and ambulance staff with the option of staying in out-of-home accommodation during the pandemic. The package will also support medical research and vaccine trials to beat COVID-19, as well as commercialise research products and boost domestic supply chains. Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said providing free accommodation to hospital staff was a crucial plank in the health support package. 
NSW Labor welcomes relief package for commercial tenants …but asks where is NSW on help for residential renters? Sydney: NSW Labor is offering the Berejiklian government in-principle support to quickly implement the national cabinet’s new relief scheme for commercial tenants. NSW shadow minister for small business, Daniel Mookhey said: “tens of thousands of small businesses need clear rules to help them negotiate rent relief with their landlords, and landlords need certainty to offer rent reductions, deferrals and waivers. Shadow Treasurer Walt Secord said: ‘while we will carefully scrutinise the details of this scheme, and offer any constructive suggestions we have to improve it, the Berejilklian government should move quickly to implement the national cabinet’s relief scheme for commercial tenants” Shadow minister for Consumer protection Julia Finn said: "in the absence of government policy for residential tenancies, tenants are reporting that many landlords are refusing to negotiate rent reductions and some have threatened eviction in the absence of any formal rules. 
Thousands of citizens placed into hotel quarantine as 97 flights return to Sydney Sydney: New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has announced 97 international flights have returned to Australia with some 4,500 citizens placed in quarantine in hotels across Sydney. "Wednesday, we'll see the first hotel close and 200 people returned home. We are getting through this," Mr Fuller said. 
Shane Fitzsimmons steps down as RFS Commissioner to take up new role Sydney: New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has announced he is stepping down from the role to take up a new job as the first commissioner for a new disaster and recovery agency known as Resilience NSW. The body will handle 'disaster preparedness and recovery' for the state to deal with the bushfires, drought and worsening coronavirus crisis. Premier Gladys Berejiklian will unveil the new agency today. Mr Fitzsimmons began volunteering for the RFS as a teenager and has been commissioner for 12 years. |
