National:
Cuts to the JobSeeker COVID-19 supplement could result in loss of 40,000 jobs.
- From April 1, the federal government will be increasing the baseline rate of JobSeeker by $25 a week (or $3.57 a day).
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the new baseline rate will make it equivalent to 41.2 per cent of the national minimum wage.
- However, at the same time, his government will be abolishing the $75-a-week Coronavirus Supplement to JobSeeker.
- Overall, people receiving JobSeeker payments will have $50 less per week
- Brendan Coates, household finance program director at the Grattan Institute says this will "take about $5 billion out of the economy in the coming year."
Australian News sites back on Facebook following agreement with the government to change media laws.
- Legislation passed the Senate on Tuesday night, to make Facebook and Google pay for news content on social media platforms.
- News sites were restored on Facebook this morning
- If Facebook and Google do not reach agreements with media outlets, the federal government can force them to pay for access to news content.
- Facebook still has the right to ban Australian news content in future
Victoria:
Victorian COVID-19 restrictions to be eased.
- Victoria has recorded two new locally acquired COVID-19 infections after 6 days of no new cases
- Dan Andrews confirmed today that restrictions will ease at 11:59pm tonight
- Masks only required in high-risk areas like supermarkets, retail centres, on public transport, in taxis and rideshares and in aged care settings.
- People may have 30 people in their home and outdoor gatherings can increase to 100 people.
- Workplaces can operate with 75 per cent capacity.
Tasmania:
Tasmanian Government sides with developer in Parliament Square disability access case.
- David Cawthorn has spent four years fighting for easy access to Hobart's $200-million Parliament Square redevelopment in Salamanca area of Hobart
- The development has two disability access points, but both are on a steep hill.
- The Tasmanian anti-discrimination act says the developer is not allowed to discriminate in access to public places, whereas the commonwealth access to premises standards only apply to buildings
- The Government is seeking clarification on the proper interpretation of Tasmania's laws
- If the High Court rules the state has no jurisdiction, it could weaken Tasmania’s anti-discrimination laws and set a new precedent for future cases.
Sources:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-24/hobart-parliament-square-discrimination-claims/13009508