The federal government wants restrictions eased as case numbers drop and budget speculation intensifies. Follow all today’s updates
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11.24pm BST
And here is the AMA urging the government to be realistic about when a viable vaccine is likely, and to include that in any budget forecasts:
Budget forecasts must be realistic about a vaccine says @ama_media #auspol #COVID19Aus pic.twitter.com/9rl58cd2iB
11.23pm BST
The New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, did the Australian media rounds this morning, and obviously, the travel bubble was the main topic of conversation.
But she was also asked by the Seven Network about the hard lockdown she and her government put New Zealand under, as they went for eradication of the virus, instead of suppression.
Well, I would reject that it did. Our unemployment, we have managed to keep it low. It’s actually the predictions on employment have come down, also our debt compared to other countries looks to remain low compared to others.
And, of course, the most important measure of all, the impact on our people’s health, you know, our death rate. Very low.
Continue reading…The federal government wants restrictions eased as case numbers drop and budget speculation intensifies. Follow all today’s updates Follow our global live blogFull Australian Covid stats; Covid restrictions state by stateNSW cases map; Vic cases mapNSW hotspots list; Qld hotspots listSign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email 11.24pm BSTAnd here is the AMA urging the government to be realistic about when a viable vaccine is likely, and to include that in any budget forecasts:Budget forecasts must be realistic about a vaccine says @ama_media #auspol #COVID19Aus pic.twitter.com/9rl58cd2iB 11.23pm BSTThe New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, did the Australian media rounds this morning, and obviously, the travel bubble was the main topic of conversation.But she was also asked by the Seven Network about the hard lockdown she and her government put New Zealand under, as they went for eradication of the virus, instead of suppression.Well, I would reject that it did. Our unemployment, we have managed to keep it low. It’s actually the predictions on employment have come down, also our debt compared to other countries looks to remain low compared to others. And, of course, the most important measure of all, the impact on our people’s health, you know, our death rate. Very low. Continue reading…