The Daily Dose – Thursday 9 September 2021

Welcome back to The Daily Dose, where we'll be giving a daily editorial wrap-up of the most important breaking Federal, State, and miscellaneous news concerning human rights in Australia. The sharing of an article herein does not necessarily imply agreement with its contents or originating source.

Federal • Office of PM | Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News 7 September 2021 https://www.pm.gov.au/media/interview-kieran-gilbert-sky-news-2 This is a cracker. I will post the important section which conveniently sits smack-bang in the middle of ScoMo's usual fluff & BS (emphasis added). ~ GILBERT: You talk about the reopening, that we're going to come out of this together. But, WA says 90 per cent vaccination. Queensland wants kids vaccinated. Tassie, ACT want around 90 per cent. We're not really going to come out of this together, though, are we? PRIME MINISTER: Well, look, I think that a lot is being said now, but let's, let's be clear about what the plan says. When you get to 80 per cent, what it says is domestic restrictions on vaccinated persons should be lifted. We're not talking about willy-nilly movement of people who are unvaccinated around the country. We're not talking about planeloads of COVID going from one state to the next. That's a nonsense. That's not what is under contemplation … GILBERT: So, there’ll be different paces, is it? PRIME MINISTER: … And I don't, and I don’t think any premier thinks that's the case. We're going to have some states that go into 70 and 80 per cent with low levels of cases. Good, good. And, what the Doherty modelling shows is that for those states, the restrictions that are needed once you go into 70 and 80 per cent, are much, much less than what needs to be in place in cases like New South Wales and in Victoria, where the caseload - and, oh arguably in ACT, but their case numbers are becoming more under control - in those two states - in New South Wales and Victoria - when you go into 70 and 80 per cent, well, obviously they won't have the same level of of eased restrictions that you'd see in Western Australia or Queensland. So, I've accepted and we all know, we all understand every state is coming from a different place. But, this is where we need to end up, Kieran. To enable Australians to travel again, overseas, vaccinated Australians, for vaccinated Australians to come to Australia, for people to be able to move around, then home quarantine needs to work. And, the QR code readers that the states have, they need to work to be able to show whether someone has been vaccinated or not. Now, we're working with the states and territories to enable that. In New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia they have very good systems that can accommodate that. GILBERT: Is that just for travel or you thinking for sporting events, restaurants, across the board? PRIME MINISTER: All of the above, because as you know, any venue, any venue, any pub, any cafe, any restaurant, any shop can, has every right under Australia's property laws to be able to deny entry to people who are unvaccinated. GILBERT: Like a vaccine passport? PRIME MINISTER: Well, they have that right to be able to deny that. And, so, the QR code reader can be used as a way of just, so it's easy for people, you just go in like you normally do right now … GILBERT: Yep. PRIME MINISTER: … and it will show whether you're vaccinated or not. Now, for premises that are allowing unvaccinated people in, it also helps us because when they log in and we know they are unvaccinated, they’re the first people we're going to call, for their safety. So, these QR code readers that tell people whether you're vaccinated or not are actually helping those who are unvaccinated as well, where they're allowed to go to places. [ed; ?¿?¿?¿?¿] GILBERT: Do you want to see these sort of certificates, though? Effectively, it’s, they’re passports, essentially? PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's not how I refer to them. What I refer to them, people have certificates of vaccination. I have one. We all have them. Of course, we have them for many other things as well. And, you're going to need them for international travel as well. But, for international travel to work, we need home quarantine done, and I'm very encouraged by what we're seeing in South Australia and the technology trial that's underway there. [ed; Black Mirror style geo-location face-scanning home quarantine spyware, see https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-23/how-will-south-australias-home-quarantine-trial-work/100398878] New South Wales going down a same path. In Western Australia as well, they've been working with an app for some of their domestic-based home quarantine, which has been quite effective. Home quarantine is where we go next. And, the length of that quarantine also was what we're looking at. Now, I'll be following up last Friday's meeting with the premiers, writing to them, looking to get some timetables about their introduction of home quarantine. GILBERT: Ok. PRIME MINISTER: Also, following up this issue of the integration of our technology that can enable fully vaccinated theatres, fully vaccinated events, you know, a Bluesfest which is fully vaccinated. So, these events, people can get back on stage, restaurants can get back and open their doors to their patrons and be able to operate under much less restrictions. But, those two things have to be enabled by, you know, the integration of that technology on the QR code reader app that people have at a state level. And, secondly, for people to be able to leave the country if they're vaccinated and return, to lift the caps on airports for people returning back from overseas, home quarantine needs to be at scale and needs to be tested and ready. And, that's what's happening now, and that's what I'll continue to push to open the country up, because that's what enables the national plan. GILBERT: Ok. ~

• Department of Health | Increased workforce support for aged care https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/increased-workforce-support-for-aged-care And guess where the 'workforce support' is coming from? 😉 That's right... YOU! The government is not putting a single crumb from its coffers into the struggling Aged Care sector – rather, ScoMo is now allowing Student Visa holders, already among the most overworked, exploited and vulnerable members of the community, to "work longer hours" and magically fix the problem! What a legend!!! • Department of Health | Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, Professor Alison McMillan's interview on ABC Radio National on 7 September 2021 https://www.health.gov.au/news/chief-nurse-and-midwifery-officer-professor-alison-mcmillans-interview-on-abc-radio-national-on-7-september-2021 Lacklustre propaganda piece wherein fake experts prop up fake numbers and lotto-number modelling from 2 of the big 3 "institutes-that-sound-so-official-most-of-the-Australian-public-will-never-question-their-stats" (namely the Doherty and Burnet institutes – the third being Kirby – Victoria's CHO Brett Sutton has worked at Burnet since 2007). • Department of Health | Continued pause to New Zealand green zone flights 7 September 2021 https://www.health.gov.au/news/continued-pause-to-new-zealand-green-zone-flights • Department of Health | Top 3 COVID-19 vaccine questions – receiving the vaccine if have a phobia of needles, need for boosters, vaccination for pregnant women https://www.health.gov.au/news/top-3-covid-19-vaccine-questions-receiving-the-vaccine-if-have-a-phobia-of-needles-need-for-boosters-vaccination-for-pregnant-women Professor Alison Macmillan – "Planning is underway in Australia in the expectation that a booster or a revaccination might be necessary ... we do anticipate that we are likely to see the need for a Covid vaccine into the future in Australia." on safety of vaccines for pregnant women – "This evidence has grown over time as we've seen the experience across the world, around the safety of these vaccines and pregnancy, and that is now why the Pfizer vaccine is being recommended to everyone who is pregnant." [ed; so she doesn't even outright say that the Pfizer is safe for pregnancy.. rather that it's being 'recommended'.. and certainly avoids any mention of why it might be that only one vaccine is currently being 'recommended' for pregnant women.] • TGA | Consultation: Proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard – ACCS, ACMS and joint ACCS/ACMS meetings, November 2021 (7 September 2021) https://www.tga.gov.au/consultation-invitation/consultation-proposed-amendments-poisons-standard-accs-acms-and-joint-accsacms-meetings-november-2021 • TGA | COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests - Guidance and checklist for businesses 7 September 2021 https://www.tga.gov.au/resource/covid-19-rapid-antigen-tests-guidance-and-checklist-businesses • TGA | Q&As - Conditions of supply for rapid antigen tests https://www.tga.gov.au/qas-conditions-supply-rapid-antigen-tests • Federal Register of Legislation | recent bills introduced (* = since last update) National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment Bill 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00123 Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00134 Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Integrity of Elections) Bill 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00133 Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00135 Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00114 National Health Amendment (COVID-19) Bill 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00124 International Human Rights and Corruption (Magnitsky Sanctions) Bill 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00095 Human Rights (Targeted Sanctions) Bill 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00105 States • TAS | Important Community Updates https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/facts/important-community-updates Check in TAS app updates 8 September The Check in TAS app has been updated. The updated version of the app includes helpful functions such as: The ability to check-in even without mobile or broadband service. [ed; ah, great......] Access to a quick check-in function enabling you to check in to frequent locations without needing to scan the QR code. • WA | COVID-19 Update 8 https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Media-releases/2021/COVID-19-update-8-September-2021 • SA | COVID-19 Update 339 - 8 September 2021 https://sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/covid-19/about+covid-19/latest+updates/covid-19+round+up+reports/covid-19+update+339 Activities Direction update From 12.01am 9 September 2021, a new Activities Direction will come into effect. Changes include: Private activity capacity has increased from 50 people to 150 people. If more than 50 people are present at the private activity the following applies; Restrictions on dancing and singing Approved contact tracing system and records COVID Marshal (independent and not impaired by alcohol or drugs). • VIC | Coronavirus Chief Health Officer Update https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/covid-19-chief-health-officer-update Directions update From 11:59pm on Thursday 9 September, restrictions will lift in regional Victoria (except for Greater Shepparton). Additionally, Victorians who have been residing in a NSW Local Government Border Area for at least the 14 days from Wednesday, 25 August to Wednesday 2021, 8 September 2021 will be able to apply for a new permit exemption category to come home. For more information, visit Coronavirus restrictions to lift for regional Victoria. • VIC | Coronavirus Restrictions To Lift For Regional Victoria 08 September 2021 https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-restrictions-lift-regional-victoria-0 • VIC | COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Directions 7 September 2021 https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/202109/covid-19-mandatory-vaccination-directions.pdf "The purpose of these directions is to make provision for the introduction of mandatory vaccination for specific workplace industries in order to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the population in these settings." • VIC | Information for Workers Required to be Vaccinated (updated for Residential Aged Care Workers after introduction of 'Directions' above) https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/information-workers-required-be-vaccinated#update-residential-aged-care • QLD | Updates (no changes since last update​​) https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/restrictions-impacted-areas https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/travelling-to-queensland#post-quarantine (additional requirements from 7 September for those leaving quarantine) • NSW | COVID-19 Update 8 September 2021 (no transcripts)​ https://vimeo.com/599939647/68889c6709 • NSW | Public Health (COVID-19 Spitting and Coughing) Order (No 3) 2021 https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/file/Public%20Health%20%28COVID-19%20Spitting%20and%20Coughing%29%20Order%20%28No%203%29%202021.pdf News/Media/Misc • ABC News | Australia to support waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-08/australia-waive-intellectual-property-covid-vaccines/100445094 • ABC News | Rapid COVID-19 antigen testing has arrived. When and where will it be used? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-08/rapid-antigen-testing-has-arrived-where-will-it-be-used/100444402 • ABC News | Israel is struggling with COVID-19, despite high vaccination rates. What lessons can Australia learn? [ed; I wonder...] https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2021-09-09/covid-19-israel-vaccination-high-case-rates-lessons-australia/100442304 • ABC News | International COVID vaccine passports available next month, but no change on international border closures / , but don't get too excited (frontpage version) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-08/vaccine-passports-available-next-month-covid/100442992 • ABC News | Morrison is wary of COVID 'vaccine passports', but he won't stand in the way of Australia's new reality https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-09/covid19-vaccine-passports-are-on-the-way/100444594 ​• ABC News | Trapped South Australians beg for speedy exemptions so they can go home https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-09/kaniva-border-shut-residents-south-australia-victoria-motel/100444944 ​• 7News | Queensland Health blocks Angel Flight for couple stranded in NSW with sick son https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/queensland-health-blocks-angel-flight-for-couple-stranded-in-nsw-with-sick-son-c-3914394 •• Sky News | Chronically ill baby denied home quarantine by QLD government / Jessie Evans and Billy Blacker denied home quarantine, told sick son must isolate in hospital https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/coronavirus/jessie-evans-and-billy-blacker-denied-home-quarantine-told-sick-son-must-isolate-in-hospital/news-story/9ae6565c0a0432c8d36c9009c8a33da9 • 7News | What is the ‘Mu’ COVID variant and why are experts ‘paying attention to it’? https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/what-is-the-mu-covid-variant-and-why-are-experts-paying-attention-to-it-c-3913386 Any KLF fans in the house..? • 7News | Single-dose Novavax jab that COMBINES COVID and flu vaccines to be trialed in Australia https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/single-dose-novavax-jab-that-combines-covid-and-flu-vaccines-to-be-trialed-in-australia-c-3913464 • Sky News | Businesses ‘need’ rapid antigen testing as a ‘tool’ against COVID-19 https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/coronavirus/businesses-need-rapid-antigen-testing-as-a-tool-against-covid19/video/19629822f4122a610acbcf806f870288 so sayeth Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's CEO Andrew McKellar. • Sky News | Quensland (sic) records one new local COVID-19 case https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/coronavirus/quensland-records-one-new-local-covid19-case/video/308744d0384abcc9fb24adeb9dd91872 • Sky News | Vaccinated residents in hotspots to enjoy same freedoms as fellow Sydneysiders https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/coronavirus/vaccinated-residents-in-hotspots-to-enjoy-same-freedoms-as-fellow-sydneysiders/video/d5bdcc4d6dfe7aed3dc759f1e310ea71 • Sky News | WHO calls for pause to vaccine booster shots https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/who-calls-for-pause-to-vaccine-booster-shots/video/02704e6c3a59e8e845249809b252db49 • News Corp | Pfizer Reaction: Details from Seven journalist’s Covid vaccine post go missing https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/health/details-from-seven-journalists-covid-vaccine-post-go-missing/news-story/34291312283f4dd8e61d761e0547dd4b • News Corp | Premier Daniel Andrews is reportedly preparing to announce a new mandatory vaccination rule as Victoria records another surge in Covid cases. https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/victoria-covid-news-live-cases-lockdown-restrictions-and-vaccinations/news-story/b0bdf18ba523464b1e53249f525e9e16 • Tott News | Australia has a 98.4% survival rate for COVID https://tottnews.com/2021/09/08/australia-virus-survival-rates/ • Facebook | Inspirational community-operated directory of Aussie businesses vowing not to discriminate against customers, "jab or no jab", quickly gains massive traction on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1213829215752696/ • W.H.O. | Upcoming WHO Consultation on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for the Southern Hemisphere 2022 - 13 September 2021 https://www.who.int/news/item/13-09-2021-upcoming-who-consultation-on-the-composition-of-influenza-virus-vaccines-for-the-southern-hemisphere-2022 • W.H.O. | INCB, UNODC and WHO Joint Statement on Access to Controlled Medicines in Emergencies 8 September 2021 https://www.who.int/news/item/08-09-2021-incb-unodc-and-who-joint-statement-on-access-to-controlled-medicines-in-emergencies