Australia news LIVE updates: Nation reacts to federal budget as Victoria, NSW rush to keep COVID outbreaks contained

As Victoria scrambles to stamp out local cases of coronavirus, with a 30-year-old man being the latest to contract the virus, questions have been raised again about the adequacy of hotel quarantine.

The Prime Minister told ABC News Breakfast on Wednesday that the investment at Howard Springs meant the facility will be able to accommodate 2000 people this month, up from 850. Among those placed at Howard Springs will be Australians repatriated from COVID-raged India on flights beginning this Saturday after being temporarily banned.

“If there is any other country that has a more secure system, I would like you to tell me who it is,” he said. Host Karl Stefanovic noted the Coalition had previously accused Labor “of spending like drunken sailors” during the Global Financial Crisis.The Prime Minister replied: “I just don’t think the situations are comparable. In a pandemic, there’s no politics, there’s just a virus looking to take your health and to take your livelihood.

Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers said last night’s budget was overall hampered by the government “getting [the COVID-19] vaccine rollout so horribly wrong”. Mr Chalmers also criticised the federal government for investing in social services for “political not economic reasons”. “If you’re going to rack up this much debt, you’re going to spend this much money [then] let’s leave a lasting legacy. Let’s transform the economy in the interests of the Australian people,” he said.

“We need to lock in and secure the recovery. We’re still in the middle of the pandemic.“He said the economic impact from COVID-19 “has been more than 30 times what we saw during the GFC” and the biggest economic shock since the Great Depression. But Cassandra Goldie, chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service, said on Wednesday that last night’s budget fell short.She welcomed what she called “modest” investments in social services like aged care, mental health, childcare and domestic violence but said much more money was being spent on personal and business income tax cuts.

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Australia news LIVE updates: Nation reacts to federal budget as Victoria, NSW rush to keep COVID outbreaks containedTreasurer Josh Frydenberg unveiled a big-spending budget on Tuesday aimed at rebuilding the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, as Victoria recorded its first locally-acquired case in 73 days. Net effect of borders may not be all that crucial Local tourism retail is roaring, a buy Australian in full force. With borders open, Chinese students , tourists won't be back for sure,no more 1.5billion appetite elsewhere. Supporting the local Aus industry, is now best remedy
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Australia news LIVE updates: Nation reacts to federal budget as Victoria, NSW rush to keep COVID outbreaks containedTreasurer Josh Frydenberg unveiled a big-spending budget on Tuesday aimed at rebuilding the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, as Victoria recorded its first locally-acquired case in 73 days.
Source: theage - 🏆 8. / 77 Read more »