Ipsos has published its latest Issues Monitor survey results, in which respondents are presented with 19 issues and asked to identify the three of greatest concern. This is conducted monthly but published haphazardly: the last set of results was published on the precipice of our new era back in January, but the accompanying chart in the latest release allows you to at least eyeball the results from February and March. The big news in January was an unprecedented concern about the environment in the wake of the bushfires, pushing that issue to the top of the pile for the first time. It has now been put into the shade by a massive surge of concern about three issues: health care, up since January from 31% to 55%; the economy, up from 25% to 47%; unemployment, for which the result went unpublished in January (it was at 18% in December) and is now at 39%. The environment is now equal fourth on 22%, down from 41%, where it ranks alongside cost of living, down from 31%.
The Ipsos release also features results on the best party to handle the five aforesaid issues, which are consistent with an improved standing for the Coalition since December, the last time comparable figures were published. Most striking is its improvement on its traditional weak spot of health care, on which it now leads Labor by 34% (up eight) to 29% (steady), with the caveat that 7% favoured the Greens and most of those would presumably have Labor as a second preference (a further 3% favoured another party). The Coalition has also widened its lead on the economy, up seven to 43% with Labor down to 22%, the Greens on 5% and others on 3%, and gained five on cost of living to 34%, with Labor steady on 29%, the Greens on 7% and others on 4%. It also holds a lead over Labor of 34% to 28% on unemployment, with the Greens on 6% and others on 3%, no figures from December being available for comparison in this case. On the environment, the Coalition is up four to 23%, Labor is down one to 17%, the Greens are on 28% and others are on 6%.
The poll was conducted online from a sample of 1000, and was presumably conducted over the previous fortnight, but all we are told is that the numbers are for April.
Further news:
• The count for the Brisbane City Council election is now all but complete, confirming a repeat of the 2016 result with the Liberal National Party winning 19 seats to Labor’s five and the Greens’ one, plus independent Nicole Johnston in Tennyson. The Greens came within an ace of taking Paddington off the LNP but no cigar, with LNP incumbent Peter Matic prevailing by 11,064 (50.7%) to 10,753 (49.3%) after preferences, a margin of 311 votes. Unlike at state elections, optional preferential voting prevails at Queensland’s local government elections, in this case to the advantage of the LNP since many preferences that might otherwise have flowed between Labor and the Greens instead exhausted. As Antony Green notes on Twitter, this certainly made the difference in Paddington, and might have saved the LNP from Labor in their three most marginal wards. LNP incumbent Adrian Schrinner’s winning margin over Labor’s Pat Condren for the Brisbane lord mayoralty was 286,297 (56.4%) to 221,309 (43.6%).
• Annastacia Palaszczuk has raised the prospect of Queensland’s October 31 state election being held entirely by post, as has been advocated by Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington. The ABC reports the next update of federal government modelling on the spread of the virus in around two weeks will guide a decision that is “expected in the next month”. However, it appears the Northern Territory election will proceed in a more-or-less normal fashion on August 22, with the Northern Territory News ($) reporting the local electoral commission does not consider a postal election an option because “postal services were still limited in many remote communities”. It is accordingly “looking to accommodate social distancing at the upcoming election by opening up more early voting centres, encouraging postal voting and extending early voting times”.
• The Greens are in the process of conducting a plebiscite of party members on how it will choose its leaders in future, the three options being the status quo of election by the party room, the “one member one vote” model of a straight ballot of party members, and Labor’s approach of a 50-50 model in which the result is evenly split between the two approaches. The party’s three former leaders, Bob Brown, Christine Milne and Richard Di Natale, jointly wrote a column in The Guardian that beseeched members to reject “one member one vote”, noting the disastrous consequences the model eventually had for the Australian Democrats, and gently suggested the status quo was to be preferred. A counter-argument was subsequently advanced in the same publication by five party luminaries, including current Senator Mehreen Faruqi and former Senator Scott Ludlam.
In encouraging news.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-15/supermarket-shopper-tries-to-return-coronavirus-hoardings/12149548
BK @5:06 (last thread)
Yes, that’s exactly the thought that went through my head. Little kids at a Hillsong event made me cringe.
I have some good news too.. 🙂
People react to what’s in front of them so that isn’t really a surprise to me.
The environment is much better off with industries coming to a halt and much less transport moving around, but we are going to increase our waste with people going through paper towels like nobody’s business and an increase in single-use items. It’s like we’ll need to be re-educated again about single-use waste when things start to get back to normal.
Fess
Completely agree with your comment on single-use items.
UK news from the Brexit heartland 🙂
Farmworkers being flown into Lincolnshire from Romania to help meet demand for food
https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/coronavirus-lincolnshire-farm-workers-romania-4047819
Charter plane full of Romanian fruit pickers will land at Stansted tomorrow to fill farm labourer vacancies – despite coronavirus causing surge in UK unemployment
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8219645/Plane-Romanian-fruit-pickers-land-Stansted-tomorrow-farm-labourer-vacancies.html
lizzie:
I was also reading a couple of weeks ago that some council rubbish collections aren’t sorting recycling now because they can’t guarantee staff are safe from exposure to coronavirus infection. If true this means that even when people are recycling their efforts are in vain because their recycling bin content just goes straight into landfill anyway.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
The government wants businesses to re-hire workers so they can access JobKeeper. But some retrenched workers have been denied that opportunity reports Nick Bonyhady. The word “immoral” comes up frequently.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/retrenched-workers-denied-jobkeeper-because-bosses-won-t-put-them-on-20200415-p54k3u.html
Measures deployed to tackle COVID-19 are likely to keep us in economic stasis for much longer than initially expected says Jess Irvine. She gives Morrison quite a bit of praise in this contribution.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/sorry-but-don-t-expect-lockdown-to-end-any-time-soon-20200415-p54k4t.html
Rob Harris writes that Scott Morrison’s passionate wish for students to again return to classrooms has been confused and muddied by the mixed messages from his national cabinet colleagues, who assume worried parents have time to analyse their nuanced comments in these unprecedented times.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nation-cabinet-s-message-on-schools-is-clear-as-mud-20200415-p54k6l.html
Niki Savva says that if Morrison is wanting schools to reopen than he should get parliament back sitting.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/we-cant-stand-for-the-parliament-not-sitting/news-story/da8befb5719659a27a60752f7762e554
In Australia new recoveries have topped new cases of the disease for a week, meaning the effective reproduction rate of the virus has fallen below the critical level of one.
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/fresh-hope-as-recoveries-outpace-new-covid-19-cases-20200415-p54k5u
After doing better than expected in containing the spread of the disease, Australia now needs to focus on the economy without restarting the virus says the editorial in the AFR.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/shutdown-is-now-leading-to-the-road-out-20200415-p54jwu
This Canberra Times editorial is well worth reading.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6722588/jobless-hit-will-have-a-lasting-impact/?cs=14258
Former Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry has raised concerns about the safety of quarantine hotels for mentally unwell returned travellers, saying care must be taken to ensure they are not at risk of self harm.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/duty-of-care-calls-for-improved-mental-health-screening-in-quarantine-20200413-p54jf0.html
Many small businesses are confused about JobKeeper eligibility requirements. The government aims to streamline the program as much as possible as quickly as possible. Jennifer Hewett looks at who misses out.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/getting-the-tests-right-for-jobkeeper-20200415-p54k41
Retailers urged governments to reconsider how long strict lockdown laws should remain in place and prepare to lift restrictions in low-risk areas and activities so they can safely reopen shuttered stores.
https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/it-s-time-retailers-push-to-reopen-doors-20200414-p54jrp
The AFR says the government should be careful not to let ideology get in the way of helping to keep two viable full-service carriers operating in Australia.
https://www.afr.com/chanticleer/clock-is-ticking-on-virgin-s-survival-20200415-p54k43
Legal experts are warning that, contrary to the government’s statements, employers may be able to pick and choose which employees receive the $1500 wage subsidy. Spivs, come on down!
https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/loophole-in-jobkeeper-rules-20200415-p54k3r
The High Court’s decision striking down the legal basis for last year’s police raid on the home of journalist Annika Smethurst is a hollow victory. It delivers no lasting benefits for press freedom and rewards unlawful conduct by the Australian Federal Police writes The Australian’s legal affairs editor.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/press-freedom-quashing-of-annika-smethurst-afp-raid-warrant-a-hollow-victory/news-story/676c68039bb55381712b5aa799274156
John Warhurst says ideological differences will return to politics, and he reckons that’s a good thing.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6722907/ideological-differences-will-return-to-politics-and-thats-a-good-thing/?cs=14264&utm_source=website&utm_medium=home&utm_campaign=latestnews
Professor Roger Bradbury explains the warnings we have had about pandemics and he goes to our attendant level of preparedness.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6723588/what-plan-and-what-stockpile-australias-pandemic-preparedness/?cs=14264&utm_source=website&utm_medium=home&utm_campaign=latestnews
According to Clancy Yeates mortgage brokers are saying banks have grown more wary about lending to people from industries hit by the coronavirus.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/banks-tighten-credit-for-pandemic-hit-workers-mortgage-brokers-say-20200415-p54k0g.html
AMP’s chief executive Alex Wade has called on the government and regulators to work with the superannuation industry to redesign the financial advice model as funds prepare for the launch of the government’s early access scheme.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/amp-chief-calls-for-affordable-and-accessible-advice-model-20200415-p54k0r.html
Lisa Visentin reports that Gladys Berejiklian is urging people with symptoms to present themselves for testing.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/please-come-forward-premier-urges-more-coronavirus-testing-20200415-p54jw5.html
How long the lockdown lasts is not just a medical question – it’s a democratic one argues Richard Denniss.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/15/how-long-the-lockdown-lasts-is-not-just-a-medical-question-its-a-democratic-one
The SMH editorial urges Morrison to push ahead with the COVID-19 tracker app.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/morrison-should-push-ahead-with-covid-19-tracker-app-20200415-p54k4x.html
The coronavirus contact tracing app won’t log your location, but it will reveal who you hang out with.
https://theconversation.com/the-coronavirus-contact-tracing-app-wont-log-your-location-but-it-will-reveal-who-you-hang-out-with-136387
Peter Greste writes that the High Court has ruled in favour of News Corp, but against press freedom.
https://theconversation.com/the-high-court-rules-in-favour-of-news-corp-but-against-press-freedom-136177
Emerging from the coronavirus pandemic, it would be wise to learn from history and implement economic changes opines Bruce Haigh.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/after-covid-19-a-change-is-overdue,13796
Freezing public servant wages in response to coronavirus is just a sop according to Greg Jericho.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/16/freezing-public-servant-wages-in-response-to-coronavirus-is-just-a-sop
Jennifer Duke tells us that three Boeing 787 Dreamliners carrying 45 tonnes of lamb meat apiece will leave Melbourne for Abu Dhabi this week in a sign agricultural trade is getting back on the front foot.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/emergency-flights-packed-with-lamb-to-leave-melbourne-for-abu-dhabi-20200415-p54k1a.html
Australians have stopped hoarding groceries. Matt Johnson tells us what’s next for retail.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/your-budget/2020/04/15/australians-hoarding-coronavirus-retail/
Baby boomers won’t like it but next step after lockdown is herd immunity says Pru Goward.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/baby-boomers-won-t-like-it-but-next-step-after-lockdown-is-herd-immunity-20200415-p54k0t.html
These two experts are concerned that pharmaceutical giants will bury COVID-19 treatments in a thicket of patents, making them unaffordable to the world’s poorest.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/15/coronavirus-treatment-drug-companies
COVID-19 will change our use of online services — for better says Paul Budde.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/covid-19-will-change-our-use-of-technology-and-online-services–for-better,13795
Rosemary Jacob writes that it has been obvious to us all, ever since Rudd introduced his financial policy to deal with the GFC, that the Coalition was never, ever, ever going to admit that it was a mildly flawed but effective one.
https://theaimn.com/the-importance-of-being-proactive-rather-than-reactive/
Margaret Simmons examines the ABC’s role on the Pell case and concludes that it has been more right than wrong.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/apr/15/andrew-bolt-and-the-abc-did-the-reporting-on-george-pell-step-over-a-line
Rehabilitation medicine physician Jane Malone tells us all about the recovery process from a sever case of COVID-19.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/boris-johnson-recovery-shows-need-for-rehabilitation-after-coronavirus-20200328-p54etw.html
This article from the New York Times gives another example of the madness that exists I the White House. Yes, “Make America Sane Again” could be a good slogan for the Democrats.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/donald-trump-wanted-his-own-two-hour-radio-show-during-the-pandemic-20200416-p54k8f.html
Now some Liberals are getting in behind Trump’s WHO demonisation.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/coalition-mps-call-for-review-of-australia-s-who-funding-20200415-p54jzb.html
Bill Gates has criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend funding to the World Health Organisation as “dangerous,” saying the payments should continue particularly during the global coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/bill-gates-in-rebuke-of-trump-calls-who-funding-cut-as-dangerous-as-it-sounds-20200416-p54k8d.html
Trump’s decision to cut WHO funding is an act of international vandalism writes Andrew Gawthorpe.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/15/trump-decision-cut-who-funding-international-vandalism-coronavirus
Gareth Evans writes that in Cambodia legislation ostensibly designed to contain the pandemic is being used to crack down on those who dare to question the government’s authority.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/cambodia-is-using-coronavirus-as-an-excuse-for-human-rights-abuse-20200415-p54jxz.html
Donald Trump blames everyone but himself for the coronavirus crisis. Will voters agree asks David Smith.
https://theconversation.com/donald-trump-blames-everyone-but-himself-for-the-coronavirus-crisis-will-voters-agree-135205
There’s no end to this narcissist’s shenanigans! Trump’s name will appear on the economic stimulus cheques that will be mailed to millions of Americans beginning next month, the Treasury Department has confirmed.
https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/trump-s-signature-added-to-stimulus-cheques-20200415-p54k5x
A 42-tonne fatberg – a giant mass of congealed wet wipes, cloth and oils flushed into our drains and toilets – that was found north of Melbourne is the biggest authorities have seen in the state.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/petrol-tanker-sized-42-tonne-fatberg-found-in-melbourne-sewer-20200415-p54jyz.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVoL2__UcAQ-N0T,jpg
Alan Moir
Andrew Dyson
Matt Golding
Dionne Gain
Mark David
Cathy Wilcox
https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_828/t_resize_width/q_86%2Cf_auto/5b75efffc77bdfb5d252634dd44447e30883cbb9,jpg
Fiona Katauskas
Peter Broelman
Johannes Leak is back into his stride.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/aa15e566585dc09c4483354ea1b67270?width=1024
From the US
We’ve never backed a Democrat for president. But Trump must be defeated.
This November, Americans will cast their most consequential votes since Abraham Lincoln’s reelection in 1864. We confront a constellation of crises: a public health emergency not seen in a century, an economic collapse set to rival the Great Depression, and a world where American leadership is absent and dangers rise in the vacuum.
Today, the United States is beset with a president who was unprepared for the burden of the presidency and who has made plain his deficits in leadership, management, intelligence and morality.
Biden is now the presumptive Democratic nominee and he has our support. Biden has the experience, the attributes and the character to defeat Trump this fall. Unlike Trump, for whom the presidency is just one more opportunity to perfect his narcissism and self-aggrandizement, Biden sees public service as an opportunity to do right by the American people and a privilege to do so.
We are in a transcendent and transformative period of American history. The nation cannot afford another four years of chaos, duplicity and Trump’s reality distortion. This country is crying out for a president with a spine stiffened by tragedy, a worldview shaped by experience and a heart whose compass points to decency.
It is our hope that when the next president takes the oath of office in January, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. will be the president for a truly united America. The stakes are too high to do anything less.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/15/weve-never-backed-democrat-president-trump-must-be-defeated/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/coronavirus-destroys-lungs-but-doctors-are-finding-its-damage-in-kidneys-hearts-and-elsewhere/2020/04/14/7ff71ee0-7db1-11ea-a3ee-13e1ae0a3571_story.html?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most
https://theconversation.com/what-we-do-and-do-not-know-about-covid-19s-infectivity-and-viral-load-135991
Some good low down information on the mechanics of the virus.
One thing that should be taken notice of – you can be quite infectious (lots of virus, lots of shedding) and still have minor symptoms. A warning to those who think that just because children don’t usually get stronger symptoms that they can’t effectively spread the virus.
Confessions there was a British doctor I saw on TV that said that rather than filling the air sacs in the lungs with fluid (inflammation) what they’re actually seeing is low blood oxygenation. In other words its affecting the interface between the venous and arterial capillaries.
Oh and poor oxygenation can do shitloads of damage to all kinds of other things.
BK
I love the “MAGA death cult hotel” 🙂
.
Given Singapore’s uptake and the required uptake it looks like we have Buckley’s of success.
BK
That article by Rob Harris is an absolute shocker. It ends with..
Absolutely disgraceful.
Positive community story showing people helping people and showing appreciation to those that are on the front line.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1250344360605929473
Thanks BK.
This just highlights how unnecessary the live trade is.
Barney
The government will be shelling out $110m to get this supply chain going again.
phoenixRed:
In a similar vein to the Lincoln Project authors, Max Boot says it’s time for Republicans who don’t want Trump to stand up for their convictions. He actually names names.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/15/republicans-who-dont-like-trump-have-no-excuses-endorse-biden/
poroti
Sadly true about the app.
Thing is, in the current environment with shutdowns, social isolation etc its been a lot easier for health workers to track down your contacts. If we leave shutdown (even if we achieve elimination) and things go back to “normal”, that process of tracking is going to get a lot more difficult and an app would help a lot with that.
BK
I know you have to give a good sampling of the news, but the AFR lately has truly pissed me off with its relentless “reopen” campaign. Its bordering on irresponsible and dangerous.
Now we know the horrible truth about Trump’s so-called ‘stimulus’
A gold-plated tax giveaway infected the coronavirus relief bill that Donald Trump signed into law on March 27, Congressional Democrats complained loudly last month.
The Democrats got it wrong. The plating turns out to be pure platinum.
Almost 82% of the tax savings will go to the Trump-Kushner family and 43,000 of their fellow millionaire landlords. This rich and officially favored slice of American society consists of fewer than one in 3,550 taxpayers.
These millionaires will be excused from paying $70.3 billion in taxes out of the $86 billion the law forgives.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/04/now-we-know-the-horrible-truth-about-trumps-so-called-stimulus/
Many of the members of Trump’s economic recovery task force had no idea they were on it: report
One day after President Trump assembled a list of business leaders, advisers, celebrities, and other public figures for his economic recovery task force, it was discovered that many of the people whose names appeared on the list had no idea they had been added to the group, according to a report from The Daily Beast.
Trump proudly touted his Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups during a White House press briefing in the Rose Garden on Tuesday night, the Daily Beast reports. “And yet, many of the listed names and companies did not learn of their new, supposed advisory roles until the president read their names on live TV, or until after the White House published the full list.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/04/many-of-the-members-of-trumps-economic-recovery-task-force-had-no-idea-they-were-on-it-report/
Good work BK with the Dawn Patrol.
In other news 👇👇
Shore looks like sumbuddy cut through that there fence pardner.
The WHO is the party in the first part wot caused the disastrous response by the White House to the Covid-10 threat.
Fortunately the Orstryan premiers were a little to savyy to be caught out and lead the way (sort of) dragging our “Didn’t Deserve to Win the Election” Prime Minister in their wake.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/inside-malcolm-turnbulls-bigpicture-world-of-gossip-and-axegrinding-in-new-memoir/news-story/3406c7890aab3e578dedc0cb8861f3b4
An excellent photo of a pair of front benchers (direct from the no bench Parliament) shown in redacted form to spare the gentle and refined reader the full horror of the preternaturally threatening scene.
I jest cain’t take no more.Maybe a turn around the deck will be the calming influence required.
Two of BK’s Dawn Patrol photos that impressed.
Elizabeth Warren endorses Biden with a very good vid.
In this moment of crisis, it’s more important than ever that the next president restores Americans’ faith in good, effective government—and I’ve seen Joe Biden help our nation rebuild. Today, I’m proud to endorse @JoeBiden as President of the United States.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1250408560606969856
BK
I know you have to give a good sampling of the news, but the AFR lately has truly pissed me off with its relentless “reopen” campaign. Its bordering on irresponsible and dangerous.
______
Cud
The AFR is by no means the only organ spruiking this path.
Richest man in the world Jeff Bezos now $24 billion richer amid pandemic: ‘Biggest coronavirus stimulus of all’
Explaining the source of a nearly 5% jump in Bezos’ net worth Tuesday, Forbes reported that Amazon stock surged 5.3%, “hitting a new record close of $2,283 per share. The stock is now up over 20% so far this year, outpacing the benchmark index (the S&P 500 is down over 12%).”
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/04/biggest-coronavirus-stimulus-of-all-richest-man-in-the-world-jeff-bezos-now-24-billion-richer-amid-pandemic/
Is that pic above of Alan Jones in his castle?
Bruce Haigh doesn’t have any confidence in Morrison. Neither do I. He has no capacity to think beyond his own political survival.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/after-covid-19-a-change-is-overdue,13796
BK true. But the AFR is absolutely relentless about it.
KayJay
Lay off please! I have already been subjected to the front page of The Australian this morning!
Cud
The available C19 rapid antigen or antibody tests are not recommended as their sensitivity is poor – some are as low as 34% which means 66% of positive cases will be missed.
Additionally, the tests have poor specificity and produce false positives eg show a positive result for C19 when the infection is from another coronavirus.
https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/advice-on-the-use-of-point-of-care-immunodiagnostic-tests-for-covid-19
The two rapid tests I know of that are proven to be accurate are both PCR tests and require point of care analysers are Cepheid’s Genexpert and Abbott’s ID Now.
https://www.cepheid.com/coronavirus
https://www.alere.com/en/home/product-details/id-now-covid-19.html
lizzie
Has Scomo mentioned “snapback” lately?
https://www.smh.com.au/national/baby-boomers-won-t-like-it-but-next-step-after-lockdown-is-herd-immunity-20200415-p54k0t.html
It will be interesting to see if the population are willing to accept the deaths that will result.
Why is it that every time I hear the word ‘snapback’ my thoughts go to Troy Buswell, former WA Liberal Treasurer, and his bra strap snapping incident? 😐
My two favourite sentences from the article are:
“Also, it’s presently unclear whether privacy and security issues have been or will be integrated into the functional design of the system when used in Australia.
This contact tracing model is also not open source software, and as such is not subject to audit or oversight.”
https://theconversation.com/the-coronavirus-contact-tracing-app-wont-log-your-location-but-it-will-reveal-who-you-hang-out-with-136387
Same reply as before, “Get stuffed!” We can’t trust Scotty from Marketing and Crony Co. Inc. from dipping their greedy little fingers into the treasury so why would we trust him with this application. I trust Heinrich Duttonuci even less.
GG:
Warren’s endorsement was very classy and very well done.
Jest by way of — if only.
If only Rowe showed Mr. Trump with Nipple Clamps.
Perhaps
or
I have just been fronted by the RSM on a charge of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline
to wit
“Being a Smart Arse” concerning the book by a former favourite Prime Minister.
Mea very mucho culpa – 14 days CB – back pack, rifle and full kit.
Never mind. The plumber fixed my leaking taps yesterday revealing yet another deficiency in my abilities. Carpentry is another. 😈
Coffee -☕☕
P.S. Sorry BK I blame the WHO. 😇
frednk @ #34 Thursday, April 16th, 2020 – 5:40 am
It will also be interesting to see how the Libs react to their most fervent voting demographic getting wiped out, or at least shrunk dramatically.
Cud Chewers
No, he’s too busy on that bridge he was building for us.
DM
“The available C19 rapid antigen or antibody tests are not recommended as their sensitivity is poor – some are as low as 34% which means 66% of positive cases will be missed.”
The figure you quoted is in relation to antigen tests (tests for viral proteins) not antibody tests.
Here’s what one manufacturer of an antibody test has to say about their product
https://www.mdsanz.com/coronavirus/
They are also registered with the TGA and yes I’ve seen similar figures from other manufacturers but I’m not going to go digging at this hour.
Can I just say that, if it’s this government orchestrating the Mobile Contact App, then it will be a dog’s breakfast. I’ve just been trying to get into MyGov on my mobile and all it keeps doing is send me from the home page to the sign in page and back, over and over again!
I just don’t trust this government to get this right. To the extent that they may alert you uneccessarily or not alert you when they should!
And then, if you did catch COVID-19, they would deny all responsibility. I’d rather rely on my own competence and ability to steer clear of it. Which I’ve done well enough thus far.
Cud Chewer
TBH I now take so little notice of anything that Morrison says that if he declared war, I’d probably miss it until it as repeated ad infinitum on the ABC.
Which reminds me. Yesterday in Karvelas, Chalmers did a factcheck on Frydenberg’s comments on the economy and explained how Josh had altered the timeline of events to make it sound as if all was AOK. Later reports from ABC “political commentators” repeated Josh’s claims and made no attempt to provide the “balance” they boast about (for example to justify inviting the IPA so frequently).
poroti @ #40 Thursday, April 16th, 2020 – 5:51 am
Howls of derisive laughter poroti. SfM build something?
He’ll outsource the construction to one group of maaates who will blow the budget out despite cutting every corner available. Then when it’s finished he’ll flog it off to another group of maaates for a fraction of what it cost. Once it’s in the hands of this group of maaates, they’ll erect toll gates on it and the toll fee will keep going up, and up, and up.
This is the Liberal Party way of doing things. No pesky virus is going to change that.
C@t
That’s how I feel too. Which is a pity because such an app, done well, could be very useful in a post-lockdown phase.
So why doesn’t Chalmers simply phone the ABC and ask for a chat with the news producers?
Confessions @ #4 Thursday, April 16th, 2020 – 6:30 am
The plastic! Don’t forget the plastic! Stuff at the shops is being drowned in it now!
Cud Chewer @ #45 Thursday, April 16th, 2020 – 8:00 am
And I don’t trust them to take it off your phones after they’re done with COVID-19.
According to Home Affairs figures and projections by former senior department official Abul Rizvi at The Australian, an exodus of tourists, temporary workers and international students during the pandemic could see the biggest population decline in modern Australian history.
300,000 temporary visa holders have already left Australia this year. Rizvi’s analysis predicts that could double by the end of the year — bringing the January 2020 number of more than 2.4 million number down to 1.82 million — in a drop economists warn will further erode consumer spending and the housing market.
Did anyone watch Current Affair last night?