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The Bunnings outlets where Queenslanders can get a COVID-19 vaccine
By Felicity Caldwell
As we reported earlier today, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that COVID-19 vaccine clinics will come to Bunnings from Saturday.
“More than two dozen sites have been identified across the state, so families can get their Bunnings sausage and a dose of the vaccine,” she said.
The pop-up vaccination clinics will be at Bunnings stores from Saturday in the following locations:
Browns Plains, Morayfield, Brendale, Bethania, Mt Gravatt, Stafford, North Lakes, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Dalby, Smithfield (Cairns), Fairfield Waters (Townsville), Townsville, Townsville North, Mackay North, Paget (Mackay), Airlie Beach, Kingaroy, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Gympie.
Queensland’s vaccination rate has continued to lag, with the state sitting in second-last place for double doses, just ahead of Western Australia.
In Queensland, 70.21 per cent of people aged over 16 have received their first dose, while 52.70 per cent have received their second dose.
A closer look at NSW’s COVID-19 recovery package for small businesses
By Tom Rabe and Lucy Cormack
Thousands of dollars in toll rebates and discounted licensing fees will be offered to small businesses in Sydney as the NSW government expands its COVID-19 economic recovery program.
Premier Dominic Perrottet today announced small businesses could claim $2000 under an expansion of the support package launched in March, which now can be used for tolls as well as licensing fees and council rates.
The rebate, which has been increased from $1500, will target tradies and other small businesses with a payroll of less than $1.2 million, who do not qualify for payroll tax.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Tuesday.Credit:Nick Moir
But NSW Labor leader Chris Minns said the new rebates and discounts, which are expected to cost the government about $150 million, are short-lived compared to the decades of tolling concessions implemented across the city.
“Under this government tolls are forever, whereas this relief package runs out in June. There’s not much there and it doesn’t last very long,” the Opposition Leader said.
“We are the most tolled city on earth. And now we have a 100 per cent privately owned toll road monopoly right here in Sydney.”
Mr Perrottet also announced a “stock guarantee” for businesses with an annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million to apply for up to $20,000 for loss of perishable stock if they are hit by a local lockdown.
Alternatively, businesses can claim $10,000 for reduced capacity to sell non-perishable items.
The day’s headlines at a glance
By Michaela Whitbourn
Good afternoon and thank you for reading our live coverage of the day’s events. If you are just joining us now, here’s what you need to know:
- NSW has recorded 360 new local cases of COVID-19, down from yesterday’s total of 496 cases, and five people have died after contracting the virus. There are 766 coronavirus patients in NSW hospitals, of whom 155 are in intensive care. More than 90 per cent of people aged 16 and older have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 74 per cent of people aged 16 and older are fully vaccinated.
Two of the five deaths in NSW were residents at the Hawkesbury Living Aged Care Facility in Richmond: a man and a woman in their 80s. Both were fully vaccinated but had underlying health conditions. There are now seven deaths linked to the facility, where 40 residents and 13 staff have tested positive. The other deaths were another man from the Nepean-Blue Mountains area, a man from western Sydney and a man from the city’s south-east, all of whom were not vaccinated. They were aged in their 40s, 50s and 80s.
Premier Dominic Perrottet inside Eden and Bell florist on Crown Street in Surry Hills on Tuesday. Credit:NCA Newswire
- NSW small businesses will be able to claim a $2000 rebate for a range of services and costs, such as licensing fees and council rates, Premier Dominic Perrottet announced today. It comes a day after lockdown restrictions were eased in Greater Sydney, with fully-vaccinated Sydneysiders flocking to cafes, gyms, retailers and hairdressers on Monday.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
- Victoria has recorded 1466 new, locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and eight deaths. That’s down from yesterday’s total of 1612 cases, and Tuesday marks the third consecutive day that case numbers have dropped. Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said he was “cautiously optimistic” but it was too early to know if case numbers had peaked. “If the peak in our confirmed cases is now passed, then we can expect that the peak in our hospitalised cases might be two or three weeks from now,” he said. “And hopefully, going into November, it’s easing off, but it won’t magically disappear.”
- The eight deaths in Victoria were as follows: a man in his 90s from Hume; a man in his 80s from the Moonee Valley; a man in 80s from Monash; a woman in her 70s from Maribyrnong; a woman in her 80s from Whittlesea; a man in his 70s and woman in her 50s from Moreland; and a man in his 40s from Bayside. Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said 675 people were in hospital with COVID-19 in Victoria. Of those, 144 were in intensive care and 100 were on a ventilator. Of the COVID-19 cases in hospital as of Monday, 7 per cent were fully vaccinated.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew BarrCredit:Alex Ellinghausen
- The ACT will emerge from lockdown on Friday (11.59pm on Thursday), Chief Minister Andrew Barr has confirmed. The territory recorded 28 new locally acquired COVID cases today, at least 16 of whom spent some time infectious in the community. Nine people were in isolation for their entire infectious period. There are 19 people in hospital with the virus in ACT, eight of whom are in intensive care. Six people require ventilation.
- Under the ACT’s cautious road map out of lockdown, hairdressers and personal care services can reopen with up to five clients at a time. Outdoor sporting teams can resume training with up to 25 people in each outdoor space. Non-essential retail will continue to operate principally under a click and collect or deliver model until October 29, but retailers can have up to two people from the same household in store for booked appointments only from Friday. Licensed venues are permitted 25 customers indoors (or 50 outdoors) or one person per four square metres, whichever is the lesser.
Bunnings premises in Queensland will be used as vaccination hubs.Credit:Andrew Quilty
- Queensland has recorded its seventh day in a row with no local cases of coronavirus, as the state is set to roll out vaccine clinics at hardware stores. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said vaccine clinics would come to Bunnings from Saturday, with more than two dozen sites identified across the state. In Queensland, 70.21 per cent of people aged over 16 have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 52.7 per cent have received their second dose.
- The Western Australian government is considering making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for WA teachers and school staff. If implemented, a significant portion of WA’s public sector would need be vaccinated to come to work because mandates already apply to WA Police and WA Health workers.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
- Australia is 1.3 million doses away from having 70 per cent of its eligible population aged 16 and over fully vaccinated. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said that, to date, 82.8 per cent of that age group has had one dose and 63.4 per cent were fully vaccinated.
Broede Carmody is signing off on the blog for today. I’ll keep you informed of the latest news throughout the afternoon and evening.
Mandatory vaccination for WA teachers ‘under consideration’
By Hamish Hastie
The Western Australian government is considering making vaccinations mandatory for WA teachers and school staff.
Education Minister Sue Ellery said the Delta variant of COVID-19 was having a huge impact on schools in NSW and Victoria where a mandate has been put in place.
“It’s being spread in schools, and young people have caught it and are being affected by it,” she said.
“So, mandating it in schools is under consideration, obviously we will act on the health advice, but you’ve got to look at what’s happening in other jurisdictions.”
The Department of Education is one of the state’s biggest employers with 41,588 full-time equivalent staff in 2020-21.
A mandate would mean a significant portion of WA’s public sector would need to have been vaccinated to come to work after mandates in WA Police and WA Health.
Victorian CHO ‘cautiously optimistic’ about case numbers declining
By Cassandra Morgan
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says he is “cautiously optimistic” about the state’s gradually declining COVID-19 case numbers, but the community should not let its guard down.
“I think most people feel cautiously optimistic about that – I’m cautiously optimistic about that,” Professor Sutton said during today’s coronavirus update.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.Credit:Jason South
“I think it’s terrific to have seen a consistent drop over a few days.
“That’s not to say that we shouldn’t keep our guard up, or that we might not see an uptick in cases. But with the higher and higher levels of vaccination coverage each and every day in Victoria, across Australia, it does give me hope that we are continuing to suppress the transmission in our hotspot areas in particular.”
Professor Sutton said it was “reasonably guaranteed” the state could reach its target of 70 per cent of the population double-dosed three or four days earlier than when was expected, on October 26.
Restrictions could ease earlier then, too.
“It is possible we’re three or four days ahead of that original forecast, but as I’ve said all along it kind of depends each and every day on those bookings getting fulfilled, and people stepping up and getting that vaccine,” Professor Sutton said.
If Victoria has indeed reached its peak for COVID-19 cases in this outbreak – and that remains to be seen just yet – then hospitalisations would peak in another two to three weeks away, Professor Sutton said.
As reported earlier, Victoria recorded 1466 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.
The breakdown is as follows:
- In Melbourne’s northern suburbs, 527 new cases;
- In the south-eastern suburbs, 363;
- In the western suburbs, 387;
- In the eastern suburbs, 69;
- In regional Victoria, 110; and
- An additional 10 cases.
Professor Sutton said there are now 1144 active coronavirus cases outside of metropolitan Melbourne.
ACT Chief Minister outlines road map out of lockdown
By Michaela Whitbourn
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has confirmed that Canberra’s lockdown will end on Friday (11.59pm on Thursday) and outlined a cautious road map out of lockdown.
Mr Barr said case numbers would rise as restrictions eased but 72 per cent of the territory’s eligible population (people aged 12 and over) are now vaccinated against COVID-19.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
“Our first dose levels indicate that this will reach close to 99 per cent fully vaccinated towards the end of November,” Mr Barr said.
“Case numbers are expected to increase as restrictions are eased. But being fully vaccinated provides you with protection.
“As we have seen around the world, and even in places that have very high vaccination levels, the virus will continue to spread. And there will be pressures on the health system, there will be Canberrans who will need healthcare and even if they are fully vaccinated. And that is why the gradual easing of [restrictions] is needed.”
The ACT recorded 28 new locally acquired COVID cases today, at least 16 of whom spent some time infectious in the community. Nine were in isolation for their entire infectious period. There are 19 people in hospital with the virus in ACT, eight of whom are in intensive care. Six people require ventilation.
Mr Barr said gathering limits outside would increase to 25 people when lockdown ends, and up to five people will be permitted to visit another household.
“ACT hairdressers and personal care services can reopen with up to five clients at one time. Outdoor sporting team training can resume with up to 25 people in each outdoor space.
“Non-essential retail will predominantly operate under click and collect or click and deliver services, until 29 October. These businesses can have up to two people from the same household into a retail store at any one time for booked appointments only from this Friday.
“This is to allow activities like cars to be test driven and clothes and shoes to be tried on for buyers to purchase.”
The ACT will also expand the number of NSW postcodes from which travellers can enter the territory without a special exemption. Braidwood, Goulburn, Cooma, parts of the Snowy Region, Gundagai will be included.
People from these areas can travel into the ACT “to undertake work or study to access schools or essential shopping and healthcare without needing to apply for an exemption”, Mr Barr said.
“Residents in these postcodes can also enter the ACT to visit family and friends under the existing ACT gathering limits whether inside the household or outside.”
Licensed venues are permitted 25 customers or one per four square metres, whichever is the lesser.
“Alternatively, 50 patrons can utilise outdoor spaces only or one person per four square metres, whichever is lesser,” Mr Barr said.
Dan Andrews says focus is on pandemic, not branch stacking
By Paul Sakkal
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews says his government’s focus remains on managing the state’s reopening, as a corruption inquiry into Labor branch stacking enters its second day.
The Premier reiterated he had never engaged in branch stacking when he was a party official before entering Parliament, and refused to guarantee ministers adversely named in the branch stacking inquiry would quit cabinet.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews. Credit:Chris Hopkins
Mr Andrews declined to comment on evidence presented to the Independent Broad‑based Anti‑corruption Commission hearings, which began on Monday and led to the resignation of former disability minister Luke Donnellan who was alleged to have improperly paid for party memberships.
While branch-stacking is in breach of Labor Party rules, it is not illegal and would not normally be subject to an IBAC investigation. The corruption watchdog is exploring whether public funds were used for factional purposes.
Mr Donnellan said in a statement on Monday that he had broken party rules but had “never misused public funds or resources in any way”. He has yet to appear before the inquiry.
Mr Andrews said that he “didn’t expect, when I woke up yesterday morning, that [Mr Donnellan would have] been calling me at lunchtime to tender his resignation. Obviously, I accepted that.”
When asked whether he had ever paid for the memberships of others, Mr Andrews added: “No is the answer to your question, I follow the party’s rules and I behave appropriately.”
Speaking outside state parliament, Mr Andrews said his team was focused on nothing other than Victorians’ “freedom, their health [and] their safety”.
Shadow Attorney-General Tim Smith said any ministers accused of wrongdoing in the course of the five weeks of hearings, prompted by reports in this masthead about widespread branch stacking, should stand aside.
Branch stacking refers to the practice of politicians, candidates, and factional operatives shoring up their internal party influence by paying for the membership fees of members, who then vote along factional lines to support preferred candidates in preselection.
“This Labor government is rotten to its very core,” Mr Smith said.
“This is what happens when you take people for granted, you take the trappings of office for granted. You start to rot from the head. At the end of the day, the buck stops with the Premier and his government looks increasingly corrupt.”
UK police say they won’t take action against Prince Andrew
By Broede Carmody
British police have announced they won’t be taking any action against Prince Andrew following a review into claims he sexually assaulted an American woman when she was 17.
Virginia Giuffre, who has family ties to Australia, claims she was trafficked by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein when she was a minor under US law. She has also initiated legal proceedings against Prince Andrew in an American court.
British police say they will not take any action against Prince Andrew, pictured.Credit:AP
The Queen’s second eldest son has long denied the allegations.
Victorian government to recruit 1000 overseas healthcare workers
By Cassandra Morgan
The Victorian government will recruit up to 1000 overseas healthcare workers to ease pressure on the state’s hospital system, authorities have announced.
The recruits will include nurses, midwives, doctors and other allied health professionals. The government will pay $2.5 million to help fund the workers’ relocation and give them dedicated support to relocate as soon as possible.
“This group were largely be made up of returning Australians who have wanted to come back in our healthcare workforce but equally, a large number of international recruits,” Health Minister Martin Foley said during Tuesday’s coronavirus update.
“To be eligible for this program, eligible healthcare workers need to have an existing employment contract with a Victorian healthcare service and have the active professional registration in place and to be ready to travel.”
The Victorian government will also introduce an allowance to support COVID patient-facing healthcare workers in the state’s public hospitals and Ambulance Victoria.
From this week until February 10 next year, eligible workers will receive up to $60 per shift.
Mr Foley said the allowance package amounted to about $255 million.
“Really, this unprecedented investment directly into those frontline carers and workforce healthcare professionals is in response to the unprecedented times that we are in … [and] the challenges that they are dealing with on our behalf require this unprecedented response.”
Five men, three women die with COVID-19 in Victoria
By Cassandra Morgan
As we reported earlier, another eight people have died with COVID-19 in Victoria.
They are: a man in his 90s from Hume; a man in his 80s from the Moonee Valley; a man in 80s from Monash; a woman in her 70s from Maribyrnong; a woman in her 80s from Whittlesea; a man in his 70s and woman in her 50s from Moreland; and. a man in his 40s from Bayside.
Health Minister Martin Foley said 675 people were in hospital with COVID-19 in Victoria.
Of those, 144 were in intensive care and 100 were on a ventilator.
Of the COVID-19 cases in hospital as of Monday, just 7 per cent were fully vaccinated.
“And given the high number of vaccinations throughout our community, the fact that so many were either partially [vaccinated] or unvaccinated continues to speak volumes about the importance of being vaccinated to protect yourself and to protect your community and to keep out of hospital,” Mr Foley said at this morning’s coronavirus update.
He added that Victoria 86.7 per cent of Victorians aged over 16 had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The state will pass 60 per cent double-dosed today, Mr Foley said.
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2021-10-12 02:49:23Z
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