Victorian aged care homes in clear

Original article by Alex White
Herald Sun – Page: 15 : 6-Nov-20

Victoria has recorded its sixth consecutive day with no new coronavirus cases, while the number of active cases across the state has fallen to 20. The Department of Health & Human Services has also confirmed that there are no active cases in the state’s aged-care sector for the first time since mid-June. The state government is still preparing to further ease lockdown restrictions on 8 November, but it has reiterated the need to keep wearing face masks in public. Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien contends that face masks may not be necessary in open spaces, and he says Victoria should adopt New South Wales coronavirus restrictions. There are 41 active COVID-19 cases in NSW.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, LIBERAL PARTY OF VICTORIA

Masks here to stay, says Dan Andrews

Original article by Kieran Rooney
Herald Sun – Page: 14 : 5-Nov-20

Victoria has recorded five consecutive days with no new coronavirus cases; there are now just 30 active cases across the state, and Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average of new cases has fallen to 1.7. Premier Daniel Andrews says the state government is on track to announce a further easing of lockdown restrictions on 8 November. However, he has cautioned that wearing a face mask in public places is likely to remain mandatory in the near-term, arguing that Victorians must not become complacent. Meanwhile, there are 49 active locally-acquired COVID-19 cases in NSW.

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VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET

New pub and restaurant rules too restrictive

Original article by Stephen Lunn, John Lethlean
The Australian – Page: 5 : 27-Oct-20

Owners of hospitality venues have welcomed the Victorian government’s decision to ease lockdown restrictions, but some warn that the measures do not go far enough. Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to serve up to 20 patrons indoors and 50 outdoors from 11.5pm on 27 October. However, the number of patrons in each room will be restricted to no more than 10. Lucas Restaurant Group CEO Chris Lucas says the density limit needs to be increased to 20, arguing that it will not be commercially viable for some restaurants to open under the revised restrictions.

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LUCAS RESTAURANT GROUP

Zero to hero: Andrews opens economy at last

Original article by Rachel Baxendale
The Australian – Page: 1 & 5 : 27-Oct-20

Victoria recorded no new coronavirus cases on 26 October, and the number of active cases statewide has fallen to 91. It was the first day with zero new cases since 9 June, prompting Premier Daniel Andrews to announce major changes to lockdown measures from 11.59pm on 27 October. Amongst other things, Melbourne retailers and hospitality venues will be permitted to re-open, although there will be limits on the number of patrons, while Melbourne residents will be allowed to leave their home for any reason for the first time since 9 July. However, some restrictions will remain in place until at least 8 November, including the 25km travel limit.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET

Daniel Andrews under fire over delayed easing of restrictions

Original article by Calla Wahlquist
The Guardian Australia – Page: Online : 26-Oct-20

Victoria recorded seven new coronavirus cases on 25 October, including six that are linked to an outbreak in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Premier Daniel Andrews says an easing of lockdown restrictions for the retail and hospitality sectors will be delayed until about 1,000 coronavirus tests in the northern suburbs have been processed. He has stressed that it is a "cautious pause" and the government still hopes to relax the restrictions within days. Andrews’ backdown has been criticised by business leaders and Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average of new cases has fallen to 4.6.

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VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

Belt and Road deal a cause for alarm

Original article by John Ferguson
The Australian – Page: 8 : 23-Oct-20

President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser has expressed concern about the Victorian government’s deal to participate in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster says that although the BRI agreement would generate some economic opportunities, it will "come with strings attached". This could include the expectation that local communities would have to support China’s foreign policy.

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UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Give people their freedom back, Andrews told

Original article by Greg Brown, Richard Ferguson
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 15-Oct-20

Victoria recorded seven new coronavirus cases on 14 October, while the state’s death toll from the respiratory illness rose by five to 816. However, Melbourne’s 14-day rolling average of new cases has fallen to 9.6, and Premier Daniel Andrews has reiterated that there will be ‘significant’ changes to the state’s lockdown restrictions on 19 October, although they will not be as extensive as had been hoped. Australian Industry Group CEO Innes Willox has called for the restrictions to be eased, as have federal Health Minister Greg Hunt and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

Andrews and staffers to hand over phone and text records

Original article by Ewin Hannan, Tessa Akerman
The Australian – Page: 1 & 5 : 12-Oct-20

The board of inquiry into Victoria’s botched hotel quarantine program has requested access to the telephone records of Premier Daniel Andrews and his senior staff. This includes Chris Eccles, the head of Department of Premier & Cabinet. Andrews has indicated that his government will provide full access to this data, including text messages and all messages that were posted on encrypted apps in relation to the quarantine program. The inquiry is still trying to determine who was responsible for the decision to use private security guards.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET

Victoria must wait for freedom

Original article by Rebecca Urban,Remy Varga
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 28-Sep-20

Premier Daniel Andrews says further easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Victoria will depend solely on case numbers rather than the timetable outlined in his government’s ‘roadmap’. Andrews announced a number of changes to lockdown rules on 27 September, including the abolition of Melbourne’s controversial nightly curfew. In addition, the next date for easing of restrictions has been brought forward by one week, to 19 October, while Andrews has again urged the need to "stay the course" in coming weeks. Victoria reported 16 new coronavirus cases on 27 September, following 12 on 26 September and 14 on the previous day. There are currently 399 active cases across Victoria, and the state’s COVID-19 death toll has risen to 784.

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VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET

Labor MPs disgusted by treatment of Mikakos

Original article by Alex White,Kieran Rooney,Sharon McGowan
Herald Sun – Page: 10 : 28-Sep-20

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been criticised by some members of his own government over his treatment of former health minister Jenny Mikakos. One state Labor MP has described Daniels as a "tyrant" and a "dictator", after Mikakos resigned from both the health portfolio and parliament on 26 September. Mikakos said she cannot continue to serve in Andrews’ cabinet following his comments to the inquiry into the state’s hotel quarantine program. Amongst other things, Andrews said Mikakos was ‘accountable’ for the botched program. Martin Foley will take over the health portfolio.

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VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET,VICTORIA. DEPT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY