‘Rolling argy-bargy’ symptomatic of a 'fraying' National Cabinet

13/8/2020

(See Translation in Arabic section)

Sydney - M E Times Int'l: The “rolling argy-bargy” between Victoria and Canberra is honing in on secondary issues at the expense of the immediate coronavirus response according to Cornerstone Group Senior Director James Cullen.

“I think unfortunately it’s just another sign that the National Cabinet process and structure is fraying a little bit," he said.

Asked what his thoughts were on the current debate concerning the availability of the ADF in Victoria, Mr Cullen said “there’s Commonwealth and state responsibility all through this for different aspects of this pandemic”.

“The focus and attention of decision makers needs to be on arresting what is happening in Victoria," he said.

Mr Cullen said the outcome for hotel quarantine was clearly not good but the focus should now be on getting the virus case numbers down.

“Let’s get those numbers down, let’s get the pressure off the health system and let’s get the economy rebooted and going again," he said.

Failing first year uni students will lose taxpayer funding

Canberra: University students who fail more than half of their first-year subjects will lose government funding, as part of the federal government’s radical overhaul of higher education fees.

The Job Ready Graduates reforms – which are already under threat from Nationals MPs who want major changes – would see students lose their HECS-HELP support if they fail more than 50 per cent of their first eight university units.

Education Minister Dan Tehan said the new cap on HELP subsidies would ensure universities determine how academically suitable a student is throughout their degree, and not just after they leave Year 12.

“These measures will ensure students can’t take on a study load they won’t complete,

leaving them without a qualification but a large debt,” Mr Tehan said.

NSW coronavirus death toll rises to 53 after woman in intensive care dies

Sydney: A woman aged in her 80s has become the 53rd coronavirus death in NSW as health authorities confirmed 12 new cases in the state.

Christine Selvey from NSW Health said the woman was linked to the Our Lady of Lebanon cluster and passed on condolences to her friends, family and the church community.

Five of today's new cases are in hotel quarantine, while three are locally acquired without a known source.

Four are locally acquired and linked to known cases.

Martanti knocked back from almost 80 jobs

Melbourne: Suzanna Martanti has been knocked back from almost 80 jobs since mid-February, and was at one point competing against more than 700 other applicants for a medical receptionist role.

She had been mostly trying for similar jobs due to to her skills and previous 10 years of experience, but had felt increasingly anxious and upset every time she was unsuccessful.

"It's a daunting and overwhelming task, but I will keep trying," said Mrs Martanti, who lives in Melbourne's northern suburbs.

She attributes the increased competition to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

Mrs Martanti said notifications from SEEK often told her hundreds of people tried to apply for the same job, and one part-time medical receptionist role received more than 700 applications.

MPs may not be covered by parliamentary privilege.

Canberra: An almighty stoush has broken out between the government and the Opposition on Labor’s wish for MPs to be able to connect to parliament remotely from locked down Victoria next sitting week.

Andrew Clennell has revealed the government believes the remote parliament may not be possible on technical grounds raising concerns MPs may not be covered by parliamentary privilege.

Mr Clennell obtained the letters from Attorney-General and manager of government business Christian Porter and Labor's Tony Burke outlining the feud.

“As we discussed in our telephone call on 6 August 2020, it would not necessarily be desirable to create expectations that the facility be used as a convenience rather than a necessity,” Mr Porter wrote.

“Rather than definitively announcing before the next sitting fortnight the availability of a new facility to any member from any place who meets certain criteria . .. the government proposes that we engage in best endeavours to make such a facility operational in the latter part of the first week of the next sitting fortnight to allow contributions to debate, but not voting or presence for quorum.

“I would note as a final matter I am unaware that any substantive work has been undertaken on how privilege would operate for statements made virtually through this particular process which I am sure would need to be the subject of inquiry and advice to any member before they made any decision to use the facility.”

Hezbollah can do ‘basically whatever they like’ in Lebanon

Sydney: Graham Richardson says Lebanon’s government is a joke as it “just depends on who has more guns” and it appears as though it's Hezbollah.

The Prime Minister of Lebanon and the country's entire government resigned following the deadly Beirut blast that killed at least 170 people.

Former prime minister Hassan Diab said he would request early parliamentary elections over the weekend before he resigned following mass demonstrations across the city.

Mr Richardson said in Lebanon, government just depends on “who’s got the most guns” which he said was hardly a way to govern a country.

“In this stage of the game Hezbollah appear to have more (guns) than anybody else, so they can do basically whatever they like,” he told Alan Jones.

Biden-Harris kick-off campaign attacking Trump

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris have made their first official appearance together at a campaign event in Delaware launching several attacks on US President Donald Trump.

"This is a serious moment for our nation. We're at one of those inflection points," Mr Biden said.

"Donald Trump has already started his attacks calling Kamala nasty, whiny, how she's mean to his appointees.

"It's no surprise because whining is what Donald Trump does best - better than any president in American history.

"Is anyone surprised Donald Trump has a problem with a strong woman or strong women across the board?"

Mr Biden extolled Kamala Harris' curriculum vitae, as he confirmed she would be the "first woman ever, to serve as in the second-highest office in the country".

The pair failed to outline a clear campaign platform other than their desire to depose President Trump.

They attributed the majority of America's problems from social security through to coronavirus deaths on Trump but did not offer any solutions beyond the fact Mr Trump's eviction from office would bring about meaningful change.

Recession 'wont be as deep' as initial predictions: Switzer

Sydney: Better-than-expected retail figures throughout the coronavirus pandemic indicate “the recession won’t be as deep” as economic forecasts originally predicted, Peter Switzer says.

"Many companies have done well and the share prices have reacted accordingly," he said.

“Kogan is doing unbelievably well, because it is totally geared up for online sales."

According to Mr Switzer, those with a disposable income who are stranded at home are quite likely to spend their money on home, furniture or technological upgrades.

He said it was possible the $69 billion spent overseas last year by Australians would be spent in domestic markets this year, which would help strengthen the economy.

President Trump promises to terminate payroll tax if he wins 2020 election

President Donald Trump has promised to end payroll tax if he wins the upcoming 2020 Presidential election.

“When I win the election, I’m going to completely and totally forgive all deferred payroll taxes without in any way, shape or form hurting social security," he said.

“That money is going to come from the general fund."

The President said under Democrat leadership social security would not be protected “because we will have a stock market crash, the likes of which you’ve never seen”.

France's Macron says expects no external interference in Lebanon - Elysee

French President Emmanuel Macron told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday that all concerned parties should refrain from external interference in Lebanon, the Elysee office said.

Macron also told Rouhani that parties should support the formation of a new government in Lebanon, it said.--Reuters

Queen Approves Top Medal to Honour Australian Sailor’s Sacrifice

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has welcomed news from Governor-General General David Hurley that the Queen has approved the award of a Victoria Cross for Australia to Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean.

The sailor sacrificed his life on December 1, 1942, to save his shipmates during the sinking of the HMAS Armidale.

“Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean was an extraordinary Australian and Australia will remain eternally grateful for his service, dedication and sacrifice.”

Mr Morrison said that in June he established an expert panel to resolve contradicting advice regarding the case for awarding the Victoria Cross to Teddy Sheean.

“There was never any question to the extent of Teddy’s heroism and valour. It was exceptional but the government was faced with two previous findings of equal standing from two reviews that had concluded different results.

“The Panel’s report found there was compelling new evidence in support of higher recognition for Teddy Sheean, and that Sheean was done a substantial injustice in consideration of his actions in the original decision making period in 1942 to 1943.

Russia claims to have created the world's first COVID-19 vaccine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a major breakthrough in the global fight against COVID-19 with his country developing the first vaccine for the deadly virus.

Mr Putin’s daughter has already been treated with the vaccine, which the president said offered “sustainable immunity”.

The president announced the vaccine has been registered with mass production set to commence in September despite human trials lasting only two months.

Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute initiated its phase three trials for the so-called viral vector vaccine last week.

Vaccination is expected to begin in October.