Auslan Update - 26 February, 2021

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/2021-02-26/australian-news-sites-reappear-on-facebook-media-laws/13195100

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-26/grattan-institute-jobseeker-cuts-could-cost-40000-jobs/13192834

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-26/jobseeker-data-breakdown-coronavirus-pandemic-age-gender-stats/13193908

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-25/tas-govt-sides-citta-property-group-parliament-square-disability/13187644

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-24/hobart-parliament-square-discrimination-claims/13009508

https://www.abc.net.au/news/20...