Summary
- The global death toll from coronavirus has passed 394,000 and there are more than 6.7 million known cases of infection, according to Johns Hopkins University
- Both New South Wales and Victoria reported zero new coronavirus cases in the 24 hours to 8pm Friday
- Thousands of people are preparing to flood Melbourne and Sydney CBDs this afternoon in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, ignoring warnings against mass gatherings
- There are reports that the organisers of the Sydney protest are lodging an urgent appeal against the Supreme Court ruling that it should not go ahead this afternoon
- China has issued a warning against travel to Australia, citing reports of racism and violence. Australia’s Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has strongly rejected these claims
Latest updates
Queen's Birthday long weekend holidays: NSW beach towns brace for tourist influx
By Josh Dye
Tourism operators on the NSW South Coast are warning long weekend holidaymakers that higher than usual demand and coronavirus restrictions will stretch the limits of accommodation and restaurants in the area.
Visitors are being asked to consider self-catering and picnics to ease pressure on eateries limited by social distancing measures, while some locals fear an influx of Sydneysiders could increase the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak in their communities.
Anthony Houghton and his wife Louise Hallam run the Mt Hay Retreat in Berry. "It's been absolutely crazy - the long weekend booked out the day we opened our books." Credit:James Brickwood
Anthony Houghton, who runs the luxury Mt Hay Retreat in Berry, says the tourism rebound is "fantastic" for a region ravaged by bushfires and the lockdown. His business experienced major disruption due to the fires before travel restrictions caused two months of cancellations. But since reopening last week he's been inundated with booking requests.
Melbourne Lord Mayor supports Black Lives Matter movement but warns against mass gathering
By Nicole Precel
As up to 20,000 people get ready to gather at an anti-racism rally in Melbourne's CBD today, Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said while she supports the Black Lives Matter movement, she doesn’t support people gathering en masse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police have warned organisers of the Black Lives Matter rally they could each face individual fines of more than $1600 for breaching coronavirus restrictions on gatherings if they go ahead with the protest.
“I wish we could find an innovative way to bring a loud voice and solidarity to these issues that the organisers of Black Lives Matter want to amplify today that doesn’t involve people gathering en masse,” Cr Capp told JOY FM.
“From a government perspective and right across the community, the health response right now is the absolute priority.”
She called for an innovative way to shine a light on "Indigenous Australians that for too long we have overlooked" and said fundamental change was needed in our workplaces and communities.
“I support the ideals and the outcomes that the protest organisers are looking for, but I’m not supporting attendance at the protest.”
She said the timing was unfortunate.
“Sometimes timing can be very negative for the cause, when we are forcing people to choose between the COVID health issue and the Black Lives Matter issue and that seems unfortunate to me because we want to be able to support both,” Cr Capp said.
NSW protestors lodge appeal on court ruling
By Tom Rabe
An urgent appeal is being lodged to the NSW Supreme Court in a bid to get approval for today's Black Lives Matter protest, according to a Greens MP.
Last night, NSW Supreme Court Justice Desmond Fagan did not make an order prohibiting the protest, but refused an order allowing it to go ahead, which had the same legal effect. Protesters may still attend the event, as organisers have foreshadowed, but may be exposed to criminal sanctions for doing so.
David Shoebridge tweeted on Saturday morning, saying he had received strong legal advice indicating a decision made by the Supreme Court late on Friday had “significant flaws”.
The protest was deemed unlawful on Friday evening after the NSW Police lodged a last-minute injunction to the Supreme Court, citing fears of coronavirus transmission.
Justice Fagan said the social distancing measures imposed to date have been "the key element" in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and allowing the protest to go ahead at this time was "an unreasonable proposition".
But Mr Shoebridge said the appeal would argue “the judge got it wrong”.
NSW records no new cases
NSW has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 as of 8pm yesterday. The total number of cases in the state remains at 3110.
There were 12,751 tests carried out in the reporting period, compared with 10,171 in the previous 24 hours.
There are currently 71 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, none of whom are in ICU.
NSW Health is urging anyone who feels unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat, to come forward and get tested.
Trade and Tourism Minister rejects claims Chinese citizens should not visit Australia
By Jennifer Duke
Trade and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has rejected claims Chinese citizens should not visit Australia due to increasing racism as “having no basis in fact”.
The comments made by the Chinese government on Saturday morning were rejected outright by Mr Birmingham who said in a statement Australia was “the most successful multicultural and migrant society in the world”.
“The Chinese Australian community is a significant and valued contributor to that success story,” he said. "China is the biggest single source of international tourists to Australia.
“Millions of tourists from all corners of the world demonstrate their confidence in Australia as a safe, welcoming and amazing destination by visiting each year, often returning multiple times.
“We reject China’s assertions in this statement, which have no basis in fact. Our rejection of these claims, which have been falsely made by Chinese officials previously, is well known to them,” he said.
He said Australia had “world-leading success” in suppressing the spread of COVID-19, which had originated in Wuhan in China, and was looking forward to having visitors back when the health advice allowed the lifting of border restrictions.
“Australia’s multicultural success is based on our respect for all Australians and visitors regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or sexuality. It is our liberty as a free democratic society that enables us to embrace so many peoples while achieving a unity and inclusion that stands out in the global crowd,” he said.
“It was unfortunate that Australia had to close our borders with China to protect ourselves from COVID-19 as it spread from Wuhan. This decision was criticised by the Chinese Government at the time, but it proved to be a critical decision in keeping Australians safe from the devastation faced by much of the rest of the world.
“Australians returning from China did an amazing job through self-isolation to protect Australia at that critical time, as many more have since.”
In May, Mr Birmingham said his phone calls to his trade counterpart in China were not being answered amid an escalating dispute between Australia and China over beef and barley exports.
Protests to happen despite coronavirus restrictions
Mass rallies are expected to sweep Australia over the June long weekend with tens of thousands planning to join the global Black Lives Matter protests and call for an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody.
Thousands are expected at protests in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart on Saturday to show solidarity with the BLM movement and African American George Floyd. who died while being arrested in Minneapolis.
Earlier this week, Black Lives Matter protesters marched from Hyde Park to NSW Parliament House, in solidarity with those marching over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Credit:James Brickwood
Last night, the NSW Supreme Court did not make an order prohibiting the protest, but refused an order allowing it to go ahead, which had the same legal effect. Protesters may still attend the event, as organisers have foreshadowed, but may be exposed to criminal sanctions for doing so.
Leetona Dungay, whose son, David Dungay Jr died in Long Bay jail, was outside the Supreme Court in Sydney on Friday. Credit:Janie Barrett
In a hearing that stretched for more than four hours, NSW Supreme Court Justice Desmond Fagan said the social distancing measures imposed to date have been "the key element" in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and allowing the protest to go ahead at this time was "an unreasonable proposition".
Protestors have said they are still determined to show up.
Check out images from the week that was as captured by the award-winning Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Financial Review photographers
Laura Chung with AAP
Is anyone flying? Melbourne Airport passenger numbers at record low
By Carolyn Webb
‘‘I am so happy, I can’t contain myself,’’ said Suzy Young.
After four months apart, the 72-year-old had an emotional reunion at the Melbourne Airport domestic arrivals on Wednesday with daughter Madeleine, 39, and 12-month-old grandson Maxwell.
'I'm so happy': Suzy Young, left, is reunited with daughter Madeleine and grandson Maxwell.Credit:Wayne Taylor
But Ms Young, who touched down at 9.05am on a flight from Brisbane, said flying in the time of COVID-19 was scary and the two-hour journey was ‘‘like being in a tomb’’.
‘‘Nobody spoke, nothing happened, nobody moved. We were very grateful when we got our bottle of water and a bicky.’’
Payroll tax, stamp duty reform hopes dashed by federal government
By Shane Wright and Jennifer Duke
Business and home buyers' hopes that payroll tax and stamp duty could be slashed or abolished by the states and territories have been dashed, with the federal government ruling out financial help to make up the shortfall.
One senior MP said there was "no appetite" for change, particularly to payroll tax, with state budgets already under strain due to the coronavirus pandemic and no clear plan for replacing the states' two biggest self-raised sources of revenue.
State premiers have previously touted the possibility of major tax reform through the national cabinet process, formed earlier this year to manage the pandemic, to increase efficiency in a post-outbreak economy.
But scrapping both payroll tax and stamp duty, which critics say are complex and inefficient, without support from the federal government would require states to impose a politically unpalatable land tax on every household of $7500 to $8500 a year.
Insurers deny business insurance claims as battle begins
By Adele Ferguson
Thousands of struggling small businesses, including pubs, cafes, beauticians and gyms, are being denied insurance claims for COVID-related business interruption losses by some of the country’s biggest insurers.
The claims could be in excess of $1 billion, according to an industry insider.
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald obtained a series of small business insurance policies from a range of leading insurers and brokers, including Hollard, QBE, CGU, Aon Australia and Steadfast, which include clauses in some policies that could save thousands of businesses from collapsing if their insurers paid them out.
Insurance lawyer John Berrill from Berrill & Watson examined the policies and found the wording was clear: they cover income losses from business interruption caused by the government shutdown because of the threat of COVID-19.
Victoria records no new cases
By Nicole Precel
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has confirmed there have been no new COVID-19 cases in Victoria since yesterday.
"We’ve been able to achieve this through Victorians doing an incredible job keeping themselves and each other safe," she tweeted.
"The public health advice is that the risk is not over yet so it’s up to all of us to keep it up."
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2020-06-06 02:01:00Z
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