The suspicion cannot be avoided that the Australian Prime Minister and certain of his cabinet ministers are once again actively backgrounding against their state counterparts.
Last time it was during the mega bushfires of 2019-20. This time it is in relation to COVID-19 policy responses and their implementation.
Perhaps now is the time to record for North Coast Voices readers some of the media releases issued by the NSW Berejiklian Government.
23
March 2020
The
NSW Government has taken significant new steps to increase
restrictions across the state – triggering the next level of
enforcement necessary to fight COVID-19.
Following
the decisions made by National Cabinet, NSW Premier Gladys
Berejiklian confirmed the shutdown to protect NSW citizens.
“I
understand many in the community are worried, and these changes will
affect everyday lives, and may be upsetting,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“But
these decisions will make us all safer, they are taken with the
health of all citizens in mind, and they must be taken now.
“If
you have the capacity to work from home, you should do so.”
In
line with health advice, from midday today, the following
non-essential activities and businesses will be temporarily shut
down:
Pubs,
registered clubs
Gyms,
indoor sporting venues
Cinemas,
entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
Restaurants
and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
Religious
gatherings, places of worship (excluding small weddings and funerals
that comply with the 4m2 rule, which can proceed).
It
is important to note essential gatherings at places such as
hospitals, workplaces, constructions sites and for public transport
are exempt and will continue.
As
confirmed last night by the Prime Minister schools will remain open,
based on health advice, which has not changed.
But
from tomorrow, in NSW, for practical reasons, parents are encouraged
to keep their children at home.
“Because
nearly 30 per cent of children are already being kept out of school,
for practical reasons NSW is encouraging parents to keep their
children at home,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This
will ensure there is only one unit of work [online teaching], whether the student is at
home or at school.
“No
child will be turned away from school.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
22
March 2020
Please
attribute to a NSW Health spokesperson:
NSW
assessments on cruise ships entering our ports has exceeded Federal
Government protocols and was doing so, well in advance of the
National Protocol*, that was issued on March 6 2020.
Notwithstanding
that, the Federal Government has not increased any protocol
procedures relating to cruise ships since March 6.
Today,
the NSW Government further enhanced its procedures to minimise the
risk of passengers with any respiratory conditions whatsoever from
departing cruise ships until COVID-19 tests can be carried out on
onshore laboratories.
Since
February 14, NSW Health has applied assessment procedures to all 63
ships entering Sydney Harbour. The National Protocol does not direct
jurisdictions to do such assessments but instead, leave it to the
State’s discretion.
Contrary
to some public statements made, every cruise liner that has entered
NSW ports has been the subject of an assessment well beyond Federal
requirements.
The
National Protocol states “provided there are no concerns about the
COVID-19 risk profile of a ship or suspected COVID-19 cases reported,
the human bio-security officer may advise the bio-security officer
that pratique can be granted and the ship may be allowed to continue
the voyage while samples are being tested”.
NSW
Health undertook a full assessment of the Ruby Princess,
notwithstanding under the National Protocol in place, it could have
chosen not to do an assessment.
NSW
Health again followed the National Protocol that states “the ship
may be allowed to continue the voyage while samples are being
tested”.
However,
as of midnight March 22, NSW Health will go even further beyond the
National Protocol and its current own State protocols and will hold
all cruise ships in port until any patients highlighted as having
respiratory issues are tested for COVID-19.
The
increased testing regime follows 26 confirmed cases of COVID-19 from
the Ruby Princess, including 17 passengers and 1 crew member
diagnosed in NSW, and 8 passengers diagnosed interstate (as of 8 pm
yesterday).
*National
Protocol for Managing Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Risk From
Cruise Ships; published March 6 2020.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
22
March 2020
Tonight
I will be informing the National Cabinet that NSW will proceed to a
more comprehensive shutdown of non-essential services. This will take
place over the next 48 hours.
Supermarkets,
petrol stations, pharmacies, convenience stores, freight and
logistics, and home delivery will be among the many services that
will remain open.
Schools
will be open tomorrow, though I will have more to say on this issue
in the morning.
I
will update NSW tomorrow morning about the impacts and our plans
following the National Cabinet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
20
March 2020
Supermarkets
across the state are now able to receive deliveries 24 hours a day to
restock their shelves under new rules introduced by the NSW
Government.
Premier
Gladys Berejiklian said the government had moved to override local
council rules that restrict some stores from restocking their shelves
and operating their loading docks outside regular business hours.
“We
need to make sure these products can move from factories to shelves
as quickly as possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We
are moving quickly so truck drivers can make deliveries to
supermarkets around the clock.
“It
is important that people now stop unnecessary panic buying.”
Planning
and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the State Environmental
Planning Policy Amendment (COVID-19 Response) 2020 makes clear that
truck deliveries are able to supply shops and retailers with
essential goods at all times to support communities.
“Councils
and retailers have been working well together to allow greater
flexibility in delivery hours, and this change gives everyone the
certainty we need to ensure these deliveries can continue,” Mr
Stokes said.
“The
SEPP makes clear that truck deliveries are able to supply shops and
retailers with essential goods at all times.”
The
new rules apply immediately and will be kept in place until the
crisis is over.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
17
March 2020
The
NSW Government today announced a major $2.3 billion health boost and
economic stimulus package to protect the community and help protect
jobs in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak over the next six months.
This
package has two key components: $700 million in extra health funding
and $1.6 billion in tax cuts to support jobs.
Key
elements of the NSW COVID-19 package announced today include:
Health
boost
$700
million extra funding for NSW Health. This will assist in doubling
ICU capacity, preparing for additional COVID-19 testing, purchasing
additional ventilators and medical equipment, establishing acute
respiratory clinics and bringing forward elective surgeries to
private hospitals.
Business
support and jobs
$450
million for the waiver of payroll tax for businesses with payrolls
of up to $10 million for three months (the rest of 2019-20). This
means these businesses will save a quarter of their annual payroll
tax bill in 2019-20.
$56
million to bring forward the next round of payroll tax cuts by
raising the threshold limit to $1 million in 2020-21
$80
million to waive a range of fees and charges for small businesses
including bars, cafes, restaurants and tradies
$250
million to employ additional cleaners of public infrastructure such
as transport assets, schools and other public buildings
More
than $250 million to bring forward maintenance on public assets
including social housing and crown land fencing
$500
million to bring forward capital works and maintenance.
Premier
Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government’s package bolstered the
health system, cuts taxes for business that employed tens of
thousands of people across the State, and would help secure jobs at a
very challenging time.
“Our
first priority is always the health of the people of this State and
looking after their families and jobs,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This
package works hand-in-hand with the recent moves by the Reserve Bank
of Australia and the Federal Government. It will provide more
resources to help slow the spread of this virus and boost treatment
for those people in our community who need it most.
NSW
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW package would help
businesses struggling with a once-in-a-generation event.
“The
Government stands ready to do whatever it takes to keep people safe
and ensure our economy withstands this storm,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Today
we are injecting $700 million into the health system and almost $1.6
billion to boost business. In simple terms, this money will help save
the lives of loved ones and protect jobs.
“We
are supporting business by lowering their costs through tax cuts and
fee reductions, and working to boost jobs by funding ready-to-go
capital work and maintenance projects as a priority.”
Health
Minister Brad Hazzard said the Government was doing whatever it took
to support front line health workers, and urged people to follow
important safety messages.
“Our
health workers are doing an amazing job,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This
extra funding backs the work of our doctors, nurses, allied health
staff, ambulance officers and support staff in the fight to prevent
the spread of and prepare for COVID-19.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pubs,
registered and licenced clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to
these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
Gyms
and indoor sporting venues
Cinemas,
entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
Restaurants
and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
Religious
gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and
other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square
metre rule applies).
