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Daniel Andrews Announces Slow Road Out of Lockdown for Victoria

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a “roadmap” out of the current COVID-19 restrictions.

The Stage 4 restrictions introduced a month ago, and scheduled to end next weekend, will be extended for another two weeks. The curfew that came into force a month ago has been extended until the end of October, although it will now apply from 9pm until 5am.

Retail shops and hairdressers remain closed until the end of October. Childcare and schools will begin to reopen, and VCE students will sit the General Achievement Test (GAT) in October. People living alone will now be able to establish a “bubble” with one other person.

A series of steps has been set out, with dates ranging into November, each dependent on the numbers of diagnosed COVID-19 cases at each stage. Full details of the changes appear in the documents below.

Watch Daniel Andrews’ Press Conference (113m):

Listen to Andrews (113m):

Statement from Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria.

Today is Father’s Day.

And just like Mother’s Day earlier this year, I know there’ll be plenty of families missing each other.

Whether it’s dad or grandpa, baba, papa or cha – today is a day that is supposed to be spent together.

Normally, for us, it’d be lunch with Cath and the kids. And maybe a trip back home to see mum – and visit dad. This year, though, it’s got to be different.

I know that same sense of loss and missing those you love is being felt by every single Victorian family. [Read more…]


Sen. Nita Green (ALP-Qld) – Maiden Speech

This is the maiden speech by Senator Nita Green, ALP, Queensland.

Listen to Green (23m):

Watch Green (27m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Senator Nita Green, ALP, Queensland.

The PRESIDENT (17:33): Order! Before I call Senator Green, I remind honourable senators that this is her first speech; therefore, I ask that the usual courtesies be extended to her.

Senator GREEN (Queensland) (17:33): The town of Yarrabah is a short drive from my home in Cairns. It is home to the Gunggandji people, a community of artists, activists, teachers and leaders. It is the place where elders, including Aunty Ruth and Uncle Alf, started to organise a campaign that built toward the 1967 referendum. They understood that the necessary ingredients for change were present in the Australian community and that they could, if they persisted, achieve reform and amend the constitution. In acknowledging the traditional owners of the land we meet on today and the traditional owners of the land I live on in Far North Queensland, I want to pay tribute to Yarrabah, its elders and the activists who refused to take no for an answer. They are ready to lead again and deliver a voice to parliament. I extend to them my support and solidarity. [Read more…]


Angie Bell (LNP-Moncrieff) – Maiden Speech

This is the maiden speech to the House of Representatives by Angie Bell, the Liberal National Party member for Moncrieff, Queensland.

Bell replaced Steve Ciobo at the May 18, 2019 elections. Like Ciobo, she will sit in Canberra as a member of the Liberal Party.

Listen to Bell (29m):

Watch Bell (33m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Angie Bell, Liberal National Party member for Moncrieff.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr S Georganas) (17:24): The question is that the address be agreed to. Before I call the honourable member for Moncrieff, can I remind the House that this is the honourable member’s first speech and I ask the House to extend to her the usual courtesies.

Ms BELL (Moncrieff) (17:24): I congratulate the Speaker, actually, on his re-election as the chair of this House. I also pay tribute to retiring clerk David Elder, who made the transition for 27 new members in this class of 2019 such a pleasure and who, without doubt, will be sorely missed. I congratulate also Claressa Surtees on her role as the 16th Clerk in this place. [Read more…]


Sen. Tony Sheldon (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech

This is the maiden speech by Senator Tony Sheldon, ALP, New South Wales.

Listen to Sheldon (26m):

Watch Sheldon (30m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Senator Tony Sheldon, ALP, New South Wales.

The PRESIDENT (17:03): Order! Before I call Senator Sheldon, I remind honourable senators that this is his first speech; therefore, I ask that the usual courtesies be extended to him.

Senator SHELDON (New South Wales) (17:03): I acknowledge the traditional owners of this place and pay my respects to elders, past, present and emerging. I’m so proud to be in the Ngunnawal country in the parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, a House for all people. And I pledge to progress the agenda of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, to recognise First Nations people in our Constitution. [Read more…]