Borders of NSW and Victoria were locked out

06/07/2020

(See Translation in Arabic section)

Sydney - M E Times Int'l: Victorians will be banned from entering New South Wales from 11.59pm Tuesday night as Australia's leaders desperately try to contain the latest outbreak which continues to surge.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the decision to close borders between Australia’s largest states came after a phone call between himself, the Prime Minister and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

 “Just an hour or so ago, where we have - all of us - agreed that the best thing to do is to close the border,” he said.

“That closure will be enforced on the New South Wales side, so as not to be a drain on resources that are very much focused on fighting the virus right now across our State.

“I am grateful to the Premier of New South Wales for her support in giving effect to that.”

Overnight Victoria recorded an extra 127 cases of coronavirus and a man in his 90s died in hospital after testing positive to COVID-19.

Recycling revamp will create more than 10,000 jobs.

Canberra: The nation’s rubbish will be distributed to Australian companies to create roads, furniture and clothing in a “once in a generation” revamp of Australia’s recycling system that will create more than 10,000 jobs.

The Federal Government will invest $190 million into the Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF), which is also expected to help divert 10 million tonnes of waste away from landfill.

States and industry leaders are also expected to contribute to the fund, which would make it a billion-dollar powerhouse.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said “We’re the first federal government to put waste on the national agenda and as the Prime Minister said, it’s our waste, it’s our responsibility”.

“We’re backing that export ban with the investment to actually handle this waste and see it not as a problem to be solved but a resource to be used.

'We are forever vigilant' in fight against COVID-19: NSW Premier

Sydney: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has defended her government’s decision to agree to and enforce closing the border to Victoria.

 Victorians will be banned from entering New South Wales from 11.59pm Tuesday night in a bid to prevent the further spread of the state's recent coronavirus outbreaks.

Ms Berejiklian said on Monday that the decision was made “based on health advice”.

 “We wouldn’t take this step unless we absolutely had to,” she said.

 “I’ve always said NSW will have a no regrets policy.

 “We are forever vigilant and forever mindful that what’s going through Victoria can very much happen in NSW.”

Peter Dutton moving to Defence portfolio would be a ‘very good...'

Canberra: Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton moving into the defence portfolio in an imminent cabinet reshuffle would be a “very good improvement on the current situation” according to The Australian’s Dennis Shanahan.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann officially announced his retirement on Sunday which will come into effect in December.

Senator Cormann is believed to have wanted to retire at the end of 2019, but was convinced to stay until this year’s budget, which was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

His retirement is expected to trigger a cabinet reshuffle, where Mr Dutton has been touted to take over from current Defence Minister Linda Reynolds.

“The idea of having Peter Dutton as defence minister is a very good idea,” Mr Shanahan told Sharri Markson.

Doctors call for freeze on relaxing of coronavirus restrictions

Melbourne: The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is calling for a temporary halt to the easing of coronavirus restrictions across all states and territories.

The warning comes after Victoria recorded 108 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, marking its second largest daily spike since the virus emerged.

AMA president Dr Tony Bartone said Victoria’s second wave should serve as a stark reminder that the battle against coronavirus is far from over.

 “These new outbreaks send a strong signal that the other states should rethink the pace of easing of their COVID-19 restrictions until community transmission in Melbourne is under control to avoid the risk of a similar situation playing out in their own communities,” Dr Bartone said.

Growth to contract by three per cent in 2020

Sydney: Economic growth is tipped to contract by three per cent in 2020 due to projected impact of COVID-19 on recovery.

Victoria was expected to be one of the hardest hit regions following a surge in virus cases across the state.

Deloitte suggested downturns in migration, border closures and unemployment were key factors in the nation’s recovery.

UK marks biggest easing of restrictions

United Kingdom officials fear the easing of restrictions could lead to an outbreak in coronavirus cases despite the government’s assurance the country’s biggest easing of restrictions was a success.

Thousands of people crowded the streets of Soho at the weekend to mark the significant easing of restrictions making it difficult for police to enforce social distancing measures. Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned some measures may be reintroduced if rules are flouted.